Resolved Laptop Memory Compatibility

I have an ACER TravelMate 2310LM-L that has only 256MB RAM, DDR, 333, CL2.5 and this has PC2700S-2533-0-A1 printed on the label. I have a 512MB pin compatible SODIMM that is type PC2-4400S-444 12-A0.

Can anyone please tell me if there would be any danger in plugging the 512MB RAM into the second RAM slot in the laptop? I do not seem to be able to find out by looking at sites such as Crucial. They will tell me a recommended memory card to increase memory, but not if the 512 is compatible. Acer are likewise no help. It is Sunday and they only have chat available Monday to Saturday!

Any advice gratefully accepted. I am trying to improve the performance of this laptop, yes, I know it is ancient, but it is for a charity. It has been installed with XP from new, but I cannot imagine how this could have been sold with only 256MB RAM. It goes very slowly and I am drinking too much coffee!

 

It will not work. Your laptop uses DDR memory and that 512MB stick is DDR2 memory.

 

Thanks for the headsup, Whiskeyman. I will have to get some of the DDR recommended by Crucial.

 

As seen in the image below, DDR is NOT "pin compatible" with DDR2 and if you had tried to force the stick in the slot, you likely would have destroyed the slot, if not the motherboard too once powered.

While the various types of RAM may look very similar, none are "pin compatible ". That is done purposely to prevent using the wrong type. So it is a good thing you asked first.

 

Thanks for the info, Bill. I am referring to SODIMMs and I cannot say whether the two cards are actually electrically compatible, but they sure look to be the same when held next to each other. The pins correspond and so do the slots.

However, I did not attempt to fit the DDR2 RAM to the laptop, and have now purchased 2 X 512MB DDR 333 PC2700S SODIMMS so will now wait to see if the laptop speeds up when they arrive. If not, it will probably be binned! I have run Disk Cleanup, CCleaner, Defragmeter, installed all the available MS Updates, SP3 for Win XP and updates for Avast AV. I am not convinced about this last as I normally use AVG AV. I have also examined the startup and other areas as recommended in Computer Maintenance sites and forums. My colleague tells me that this laptop was bought many years ago for his wife. She obviously had a lot of time on her hands!

If you have any other suggestions re speeding up this machine, I would welcome any advice from a 'supergeek'. Unfortunately I cannot reinstall the OS as I do not have either a recovery sector or the original discs or backed up image. I do have the original product key certificate on the machine.