W520 RAM upgrade woes - half of upgraded RAM recognized

[bluewaterrocket]

Just received my factory fresh w520 (win7 pro64) yesterday configured with 4GB RAM, but I had ordered an 8GB Corsair upgrade kit from amazon for $85. The kit came with with two memory modules labeled 4GB each for a total of 8GB ; however, when installed only an addl 4 GB of RAM is recognized in Windows and the BIOS. When I run the memory test it reports 3 memory modules, 4GB, and 2 x 2GB. The mem test also fails for these two modules - see below. I find it hard to believe that Corsair actually mis-labeled and shipped this memory kit. Any ideas/suggestions?

Lenovo ThinkVantage Toolbox Log FileLenovo ThinkVantage Toolbox Log File

Friday, April 08, 2011 8:16:04 AM
System Memory
Total Physical Memory: 8.00 GB

4096 MB DDR3-SDRAM (1333 MHz)
Source: SPD

Memory Size: 4.00 GB
Memory Manufacturer: Elpida
Memory Manufacture Date: Week 8, Year 2011
Memory Part Number: EBJ41UF8BCS0-DJ-F
Memory Serial Number: 52216204
Memory Revision Code: 2030


2048 MB DDR3-SDRAM (1333 MHz)
Source: SPD
Memory Size: 2.00 GB
Memory Manufacturer: Samsung
Memory Manufacture Date: Week 1, Year 2011
Memory Part Number: M471B5773CHS-CH9
Memory Serial Number: C11CD74C

2048 MB DDR3-SDRAM (1333 MHz)
Source: SPD
Memory Size: 2.00 GB
Memory Manufacturer: Samsung
Memory Manufacture Date: Week 1, Year 2011
Memory Part Number: M471B5773CHS-CH9
Memory Serial Number: C11CD752


Advanced Pattern Test
Test Started4/8/2011 6:08:45 AM
Error Message: Memory read-write error at physical address
00000000A1319D94H. Wrote pattern FFFFFFFFH, read back pattern FFBFFFFFH.4/8/2011 6:17:23 AM
Error Message: Memory read-write error at physical address
00000000A1319D94H. Wrote pattern F0F0F0F0H, read back pattern F0B0F0F0H.4/8/2011 6:17:32 AM
Error Message: Memory read-write error at physical address
00000000A1319D94H. Wrote pattern 55555555H, read back pattern 55155555H.4/8/2011 6:17:51 AM
Error Message: Memory read-write error at physical address
00000000A1319D94H. Wrote pattern 40404040H, read back pattern 40004040H.4/8/2011 6:18:09 AM
Error Message: Memory read-write error at physical address
00000000A1319D94H. Wrote pattern 44444444H, read back pattern 44044444H.4/8/2011 6:19:08 AM
Test Finished: Failed (Error code: WME02-7YD)4/8/2011 6:19:21 AM

Product Version: 6.0.5717.37

[Neil]

Those Samsung part numbers are indeed for 2GB parts. I would say they are labeled wrong. Either exchange them with the seller on Amazon (1st action), or contact Corsair directly for replacement. It's also possible that the Amazon seller illegally swapped labels.

[davidhbrown]

I read your post twice, but I couldn't figure out whether you had Lenovo configure the W520 with two 2GB modules or one 4GB module to make up the 4GB config.

If you had it configured with two 2GB modules, then those would be the Samsung modules shown and it could just be that one of the 4GB modules didn't seat properly. My first step would be to remove and reinstall the 4GB modules you bought... I've managed not to get it on the first try a couple of times. (New slots can be stiff!)

If you're sure you had it configured with a single 4GB module -- a zero-cost option but you do have to select it -- then the Neil's comments about returning the 2GB modules seem appropriate.

[AMATX]

Usual approach debugging memory is to not only reseat the sticks, but switch -all- of them around in/out of different slots. Also, try booting, rotating through using each stick standalone(only stick in the Tpad).

By doing all of this, you'll be able to pinpoint individual/combos of sticks & slots that may be causing problem(s).

And, as mentioned above, be firm enough when inserting a stick to make sure it's fully installed.

[sarbin]

after looking at the hmm, there's also an order in which the slots need to be filled. if you're single dimm is in the wrong slot of its paired slots, maybe that's your issue.

[davidhbrown]

FWIW, I received my W520 configured with 2x2GB SO-DIMMs yesterday. Before I even powered it on, I added the 2x4GB G.Skill SO-DIMM kit I had ordered for it: one went in the obvious empty slot underneath the bottom cover; the other is in a slot *underneath* the factory-installed 2GB module (which I had to remove and replace) under the keyboard. The slots were very stiff, as I've come to expect. On boot, all is well; 12GB present.

Hope you get your situation worked out; let us know.

[Q-Ball]

Alright:

Running that part number of the memory reveals that those sticks are, in fact, 2GB parts.
And, to make matters worse for the seller, they aren't even Crucial parts!
A quick Google search reveals that those are Samsung sticks, which your CPU-Z results tell you too.
And the sticks are also bad RAM themselves!

If the sticks are labeled Samsung, or have no label, getting a refund from the seller should be quick and painless.

If the sticks say "Crucial 4GB" on them it's crucial that you report the seller to Amazon because he/she mis-sold you knowingly.
And even if the seller isn't the culprit it would be interesting to see where he got the sticks from: the seller can then 'pass the buck' so to speak if they didn't look at the sticks in the first place.


By the way, once you get that cash back:
$85 will buy you a LOT of RAM. Actually, you could fill all those slots with that cash.

Get this to match your lone 4GB stick: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820231341
Then, get two of these sticks to push your total to 12 GB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820144371

That will cost you 2 x 20 + 40 = 80 dollars. Free shipping, too, IIRC.

[davidhbrown]

Haven't heard from the OP since the first post, but I really think that before he/she goes off buying more RAM or returning things, that the new RAM should be removed. I suspect he/she may find that those Samsung parts are the ones the computer came with and the single 4GB module is one of the new ones. My W520 came with 2x 2GB Samsung DDR3 modules. Then try reinserting the new RAM, pushing a little harder perhaps to make sure they *both* seat properly.