DDR2 RAM frequency? Samsung N210

Fredmoreau -  
dany311 Posted messages 13344 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   -
Hello,

I just bought a Samsung N210. Finding it a bit slow, I decided to replace the RAM. I went to a store where they replaced my 1 GB stick with a "Kingston SODIMM DDR2 2 GB 800 MHz." I then asked the seller if it was normal to replace a 667 MHz stick (the original one) with an 800 MHz one. He assured me that the processor would handle it automatically.
A few days later, the PC crashed, unable to leave a page on Firefox and seemed incapable of progressing. After a restart, it worked again, but it happened 5 more times that week! The last time, it was so sluggish that it couldn't even restart, not even in safe mode!!
I went back to the store (Internity) who assured me that the DDR2 card was not the issue, and they charged me 39 euros to reset Windows 7 Starter.
I got my Samsung back in working order, but it just crashed again!
I called Amazon, and they are sending me a replacement! Phew!
Now, I’m left with confusion about the initial problem and what to do with my Kingston card. I sold the original one. Theoretically, I should retrieve the original from the new PC being sent by Amazon to put it in the defective one and install my 2 GB stick in the new one. The catch is, I’m still wondering if it could be the cause of the problem.
Amazon doesn’t seem to care much about my memory stick situation. Can I still return a computer with a non-original stick? Their sales representative seemed to say yes hesitantly...

- Can an 800 MHz stick instead of a 667 MHz one, or a defective stick cause intermittent functioning problems in this type of machine?
- Could the problem lie elsewhere (defective hard drive, bad sectors?) and can I keep my 2 GB stick for the new computer?

Thank you for your answers, best regards, Fabien.

3 answers

  1. dany311 Posted messages 13344 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   2 131
     
    Hello
    first of all, I am surprised that they send another laptop without any further proceedings, as a newly opened computer means the warranty is void
    2° = by opting for the minimum in laptops, you shouldn't expect a powerhouse
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  2. Fredmoreau
     
    Thank you Dany for the quick responses!! Indeed, I was positively surprised by Amazon's reaction... Yet, I just received the confirmation of the shipment of the new machine and the return slip for the defective computer!
    Do you think that my 2GB RAM stick can be reused in the new one without fear of encountering this kind of hassle again? Could it be the cause of the crash?
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    1. dany311 Posted messages 13344 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   2 131
       
      re
      In your place, I wouldn't touch it
      the machine is not a war machine, don't expect to have a thoroughbred when you bought a draught horse.
      the INTEL ATOM N450 processor is a single-core at 1.6 GHz and it only supports DDR2 up to 667 MHz maximum
      already at INTERNITY they messed up. they should never have put 800 MHz
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  3. fredmoreau
     
    And don't you think Amazon will raise an eyebrow seeing their PC returned with a different RAM stick? The guy on the phone seemed to not care, but I'm cautious. As for the workhorse, I'm not picky, I'll get used to it, it's mainly for word processing. I was advised to upgrade the RAM, and I followed a friend's advice. Maybe I shouldn't have!! It's so frustrating not to understand anything about computers!!
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    1. dany311 Posted messages 13344 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   2 131
       
      re
      the guy from Internity is a handyman, he should never have put RAM at 800 MHz
      but should have stuck to 667 MHz. You can put 2 GB but stay at 667 MHz
      look here, it’s the same machine (with 1 or 2 tweaks extra)
      https://www.topachat.com/ordinateurs/index.php
      the FSB is at 667 MHz, which means that with your RAM at 800 MHz, after a while your CPU overheats, it goes into safety mode, and it crashes
      you’re still lucky not to have “damaged” the motherboard
      one more thing; before buying this netbook, you should have done some research because with 50 euros more you could have gotten something much better
      a quick calculation: netbook purchase 320 euros + RAM stick + 39 euros to reset W7 + return shipping costs for the faulty PC total about 400 euros
      for 450 euros you could have had a much better laptop
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