To quote Sergeant Schultz "I know nothing" about computer memory.From my OLD HP Compaq NX9600 service manual .I want to add at least 1 Gb maybe 2 GB of additional memory512MB or 1024MB standard, 400-MHz DDR2 SDRAM standard; two SODIMM slots Upgradeable to 2048 MB maximum (1024MB in slots 1 and 2)On eBay I find a number of low cost used memory. This is an example of one.Low Cost MemoryQuestions;The manual says 1 Gb in each slot. Does this mean that I cannot add 2Gb in a slot For a total of 3 GbModern memory is faster than 400 MHz. Will faster memory work? Is there any advantage to a faster memory or does a motherboard limit the speed to 400Mhz?

It's been awhile since I was doing my own hardware upgrades... But, I recall that you have to put the memory in matched pairs and they have to be the correct number of pins. Over the years, the memory slots change pins, so the newest stuff might not fit the older slots..If the mother board can't handle any more memory than adding more will likely not even work, but even it it does, it will still only use it's max.Good luckMitch

The specs say a maximum of 2GB memory. This is a P4 computer....so outdated I doubt it can even run Windows 10. Don't expect much performance increase by adding RAM. You should really consider something newer....Specifications overview

Ed_Gee wrote:The specs say a maximum of 2GB memory. This is a P4 computer....so outdated I doubt it can even run Windows 10. Don't expect much performance increase by adding RAM. You should really consider something newer....Specifications overview75 pages HERE all about running Win10 on old hardware like P4 processor say's you are dead wrong about your assumption.In a nutshell, P4 "J" version supported "NX" instructions which Win10 requires.. That P4 version started shipping around 2004-2005 timeframe..Listen, the OP already spent $100 just to buy the laptop (that IS a lot of money to simply throw your hands in the air and surrender). OP has it, may as well try it, has nothing to lose other than maybe some hair pulling and time lost..Win10 most likely has a better chance of running than Win7 or any flavor of Win8.. The progression of the OSs has been trimming down what is loaded and running at all times. Older OSs loaded every single driver known to man in the startup process and never unloaded them even if the hardware did not exist on that PC..If OP can get past the installer and driver issues, it most likely will be fine. I will admit, 1 GB of Ram will be pretty skinny, should be comfortable with 2 GB. OP most likely will need to load 32 bit version, not sure if 64bit will even install but has good chance 32bit W10 will.If OPs computer specs say max of 2 gb ram, that is the max the MB will accept, they are limited to two 1gb memory chips, some MBs may be flexible and allow one 2 MB ram chip but that is not always the case. Manufacturer should have a chart listing exactly what to use and how to install.All else fails, use the part number on the chip and run an Internet search to see exactly what it crosses to. Memory chips vary a lot in how they are wired.

Gdetrailer wrote:Ed_Gee wrote:The specs say a maximum of 2GB memory. This is a P4 computer....so outdated I doubt it can even run Windows 10. Don't expect much performance increase by adding RAM. You should really consider something newer....Specifications overview75 pages HERE all about running Win10 on old hardware like P4 processor say's you are dead wrong about your assumption.In a nutshell, P4 "J" version supported "NX" instructions which Win10 requires.. That P4 version started shipping around 2004-2005 timeframe..I see this differently. That 75 pages was mostly a bunch of people trying to dink and tinker with old computers to make Windows 10 work ... and most of those cited were not as old as the Original Posters 15+ year old Laptop. Also, I cannot see anywhere in the OP's post where he spent $100. on his laptop.... it appears to be an old one he has always had .. Regardless, 15 years is well beyond good service and needs be retired. Windows 10 will almost certainly be slower than cold tar on that laptop, if it can be installed at all. Last year I purchased a completely refurbished Lenovo Thinkpad T410 laptop on Amazon for $160. ... with new battery. That was an Intel Core i5 with 16GB Ram. It is foolish to fuss with such an old Laptop such as OP's when such modern refurbished laptops can be had for such low prices. Admittedly, I see Amazon selling the T-410 now for $279. ....but there are others at lower price, if one only makes the effort to search. Gave up my IBM Thinkpad R52e years ago when it could no longer upgrade to Windows 8, even ... and that one was a P4 1.5GB Ram unit similar to the OP's. Of course if one wants to dink and tinker with that old stuff...more power to them ... maybe it will work ... albeit very slowly.... not my problem.Listen, the OP already spent $100 just to buy the laptop (that IS a lot of money to simply throw your hands in the air and surrender). OP has it, may as well try it, has nothing to lose other than maybe some hair pulling and time lost..Win10 most likely has a better chance of running than Win7 or any flavor of Win8.. The progression of the OSs has been trimming down what is loaded and running at all times. Older OSs loaded every single driver known to man in the startup process and never unloaded them even if the hardware did not exist on that PC..If OP can get past the installer and driver issues, it most likely will be fine. I will admit, 1 GB of Ram will be pretty skinny, should be comfortable with 2 GB. OP most likely will need to load 32 bit version, not sure if 64bit will even install but has good chance 32bit W10 will.If OPs computer specs say max of 2 gb ram, that is the max the MB will accept, they are limited to two 1gb memory chips, some MBs may be flexible and allow one 2 MB ram chip but that is not always the case. Manufacturer should have a chart listing exactly what to use and how to install.All else fails, use the part number on the chip and run an Internet search to see exactly what it crosses to. Memory chips vary a lot in how they are wired.

Gdetrailer wrote:Ed_Gee wrote:The specs say a maximum of 2GB memory. This is a P4 computer....so outdated I doubt it can even run Windows 10. Don't expect much performance increase by adding RAM. You should really consider something newer....Specifications overview75 pages HERE all about running Win10 on old hardware like P4 processor say's you are dead wrong about your assumption.In a nutshell, P4 "J" version supported "NX" instructions which Win10 requires.. That P4 version started shipping around 2004-2005 timeframe..Listen, the OP already spent $100 just to buy the laptop (that IS a lot of money to simply throw your hands in the air and surrender). OP has it, may as well try it, has nothing to lose other than maybe some hair pulling and time lost..Win10 most likely has a better chance of running than Win7 or any flavor of Win8.. The progression of the OSs has been trimming down what is loaded and running at all times. Older OSs loaded every single driver known to man in the startup process and never unloaded them even if the hardware did not exist on that PC..If OP can get past the installer and driver issues, it most likely will be fine. I will admit, 1 GB of Ram will be pretty skinny, should be comfortable with 2 GB. OP most likely will need to load 32 bit version, not sure if 64bit will even install but has good chance 32bit W10 will.If OPs computer specs say max of 2 gb ram, that is the max the MB will accept, they are limited to two 1gb memory chips, some MBs may be flexible and allow one 2 MB ram chip but that is not always the case. Manufacturer should have a chart listing exactly what to use and how to install.All else fails, use the part number on the chip and run an Internet search to see exactly what it crosses to. Memory chips vary a lot in how they are wired.I see this differently. That 75 pages was mostly a bunch of people trying to dink and tinker with old computers to make Windows 10 work ... and most of those cited were not as old as the Original Posters 15+ year old Laptop. Also, I cannot see anywhere in the OP's post where he spent $100. on his laptop.... it appears to be an old one he has always had .. Regardless, 15 years is well beyond good service and needs be retired. Windows 10 will almost certainly be slower than cold tar on that laptop, if it can be installed at all. Last year I purchased a completely refurbished Lenovo Thinkpad T410 laptop on Amazon for $160. ... with new battery. That was an Intel Core i5 with 16GB Ram. It is foolish to fuss with such an old Laptop such as OP's when such modern refurbished laptops can be had for such low prices. Admittedly, I see Amazon selling the T-410 now for $279. ....but there are others at lower price, if one only makes the effort to search. Gave up my IBM Thinkpad R52e years ago when it could no longer upgrade to Windows 8, even ... and that one was a P4 1.5GB Ram unit similar to the OP's. Of course if one wants to dink and tinker with that old stuff...more power to them ... maybe it will work ... albeit very slowly.... not my problem.

HP Compaq NX9600 -- Adding Memory | Good Sam Community

Ed_Gee
Explorer II
Oct 11, 2020
Gdetrailer wrote:
Ed_Gee wrote:
The specs say a maximum of 2GB memory. This is a P4 computer....so outdated I doubt it can even run Windows 10. Don't expect much performance increase by adding RAM. You should really consider something newer....
Specifications overview

75 pages HERE all about running Win10 on old hardware like P4 processor say's you are dead wrong about your assumption.

In a nutshell, P4 "J" version supported "NX" instructions which Win10 requires.. That P4 version started shipping around 2004-2005 timeframe..

Listen, the OP already spent $100 just to buy the laptop (that IS a lot of money to simply throw your hands in the air and surrender). OP has it, may as well try it, has nothing to lose other than maybe some hair pulling and time lost..

Win10 most likely has a better chance of running than Win7 or any flavor of Win8.. The progression of the OSs has been trimming down what is loaded and running at all times. Older OSs loaded every single driver known to man in the startup process and never unloaded them even if the hardware did not exist on that PC..

If OP can get past the installer and driver issues, it most likely will be fine. I will admit, 1 GB of Ram will be pretty skinny, should be comfortable with 2 GB. OP most likely will need to load 32 bit version, not sure if 64bit will even install but has good chance 32bit W10 will.

If OPs computer specs say max of 2 gb ram, that is the max the MB will accept, they are limited to two 1gb memory chips, some MBs may be flexible and allow one 2 MB ram chip but that is not always the case. Manufacturer should have a chart listing exactly what to use and how to install.

All else fails, use the part number on the chip and run an Internet search to see exactly what it crosses to. Memory chips vary a lot in how they are wired.

I see this differently. That 75 pages was mostly a bunch of people trying to dink and tinker with old computers to make Windows 10 work ... and most of those cited were not as old as the Original Posters 15+ year old Laptop. Also, I cannot see anywhere in the OP's post where he spent $100. on his laptop.... it appears to be an old one he has always had .. Regardless, 15 years is well beyond good service and needs be retired. Windows 10 will almost certainly be slower than cold tar on that laptop, if it can be installed at all. Last year I purchased a completely refurbished Lenovo Thinkpad T410 laptop on Amazon for $160. ... with new battery. That was an Intel Core i5 with 16GB Ram. It is foolish to fuss with such an old Laptop such as OP's when such modern refurbished laptops can be had for such low prices. Admittedly, I see Amazon selling the T-410 now for $279. ....but there are others at lower price, if one only makes the effort to search. Gave up my IBM Thinkpad R52e years ago when it could no longer upgrade to Windows 8, even ... and that one was a P4 1.5GB Ram unit similar to the OP's. Of course if one wants to dink and tinker with that old stuff...more power to them ... maybe it will work ... albeit very slowly.... not my problem.
Ed_Gee
Explorer II
Oct 11, 2020
Gdetrailer wrote:
Ed_Gee wrote:
The specs say a maximum of 2GB memory. This is a P4 computer....so outdated I doubt it can even run Windows 10. Don't expect much performance increase by adding RAM. You should really consider something newer....
Specifications overview

75 pages HERE all about running Win10 on old hardware like P4 processor say's you are dead wrong about your assumption.

In a nutshell, P4 "J" version supported "NX" instructions which Win10 requires.. That P4 version started shipping around 2004-2005 timeframe..

I see this differently. That 75 pages was mostly a bunch of people trying to dink and tinker with old computers to make Windows 10 work ... and most of those cited were not as old as the Original Posters 15+ year old Laptop. Also, I cannot see anywhere in the OP's post where he spent $100. on his laptop.... it appears to be an old one he has always had .. Regardless, 15 years is well beyond good service and needs be retired. Windows 10 will almost certainly be slower than cold tar on that laptop, if it can be installed at all. Last year I purchased a completely refurbished Lenovo Thinkpad T410 laptop on Amazon for $160. ... with new battery. That was an Intel Core i5 with 16GB Ram. It is foolish to fuss with such an old Laptop such as OP's when such modern refurbished laptops can be had for such low prices. Admittedly, I see Amazon selling the T-410 now for $279. ....but there are others at lower price, if one only makes the effort to search. Gave up my IBM Thinkpad R52e years ago when it could no longer upgrade to Windows 8, even ... and that one was a P4 1.5GB Ram unit similar to the OP's. Of course if one wants to dink and tinker with that old stuff...more power to them ... maybe it will work ... albeit very slowly.... not my problem.

Listen, the OP already spent $100 just to buy the laptop (that IS a lot of money to simply throw your hands in the air and surrender). OP has it, may as well try it, has nothing to lose other than maybe some hair pulling and time lost..

Win10 most likely has a better chance of running than Win7 or any flavor of Win8.. The progression of the OSs has been trimming down what is loaded and running at all times. Older OSs loaded every single driver known to man in the startup process and never unloaded them even if the hardware did not exist on that PC..

If OP can get past the installer and driver issues, it most likely will be fine. I will admit, 1 GB of Ram will be pretty skinny, should be comfortable with 2 GB. OP most likely will need to load 32 bit version, not sure if 64bit will even install but has good chance 32bit W10 will.

If OPs computer specs say max of 2 gb ram, that is the max the MB will accept, they are limited to two 1gb memory chips, some MBs may be flexible and allow one 2 MB ram chip but that is not always the case. Manufacturer should have a chart listing exactly what to use and how to install.

All else fails, use the part number on the chip and run an Internet search to see exactly what it crosses to. Memory chips vary a lot in how they are wired.
Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Oct 11, 2020
Ed_Gee wrote:
The specs say a maximum of 2GB memory. This is a P4 computer....so outdated I doubt it can even run Windows 10. Don't expect much performance increase by adding RAM. You should really consider something newer....
Specifications overview

75 pages HERE all about running Win10 on old hardware like P4 processor say's you are dead wrong about your assumption.

In a nutshell, P4 "J" version supported "NX" instructions which Win10 requires.. That P4 version started shipping around 2004-2005 timeframe..

Listen, the OP already spent $100 just to buy the laptop (that IS a lot of money to simply throw your hands in the air and surrender). OP has it, may as well try it, has nothing to lose other than maybe some hair pulling and time lost..

Win10 most likely has a better chance of running than Win7 or any flavor of Win8.. The progression of the OSs has been trimming down what is loaded and running at all times. Older OSs loaded every single driver known to man in the startup process and never unloaded them even if the hardware did not exist on that PC..

If OP can get past the installer and driver issues, it most likely will be fine. I will admit, 1 GB of Ram will be pretty skinny, should be comfortable with 2 GB. OP most likely will need to load 32 bit version, not sure if 64bit will even install but has good chance 32bit W10 will.

If OPs computer specs say max of 2 gb ram, that is the max the MB will accept, they are limited to two 1gb memory chips, some MBs may be flexible and allow one 2 MB ram chip but that is not always the case. Manufacturer should have a chart listing exactly what to use and how to install.

All else fails, use the part number on the chip and run an Internet search to see exactly what it crosses to. Memory chips vary a lot in how they are wired.
Ed_Gee
Explorer II
Oct 11, 2020
The specs say a maximum of 2GB memory. This is a P4 computer....so outdated I doubt it can even run Windows 10. Don't expect much performance increase by adding RAM. You should really consider something newer....
Specifications overview
MitchF150
Explorer III
Oct 11, 2020
It's been awhile since I was doing my own hardware upgrades... But, I recall that you have to put the memory in matched pairs and they have to be the correct number of pins. Over the years, the memory slots change pins, so the newest stuff might not fit the older slots..

If the mother board can't handle any more memory than adding more will likely not even work, but even it it does, it will still only use it's max.

Good luck

Mitch

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