Older Lenovo Needs More Ram

I have an older Lenovo desktop that runs very slow when I have more than 2 tabs in a browser open (Firefox). Checking usage showed that the ram is almost maxed out. Is there somewhere in Win 10 to check PC info to find out which type of ram I need to get?
I've dug through the System and Computer Management sections, but not sure what to look for to find the right memory stick to get.

 

https://i.postimg.cc/vmXJRSH6/System1.gif



https://i.postimg.cc/L5JvbxnR/RAM1.gif

 

Download Speccy https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/speccy.html it will give you info on your system's hardware and should tell you what RAM to get for your system.

 

Thanks. Here's what I got:

https://i.postimg.cc/QMW488D5/Specs1.gif

What info should I be looking for to find/order the right ram?

 

Click on Ram tab at the side and it will give you more info on your system memory.

 

You also need to know what memory slots your system has and the max memory your system can take. Download and run the crucial.com app. It will tell you all you need to know and offer the correct memory.

 

I ran the app but it seems they are sold out everywhere. NewEgg has some similar types offered, but I can't tell if they are compatible. Here's the link to the similar items below in the link. Will any of those work? https://www.newegg.com/crucial-4gb-...&ranSiteID=jo_pTdthTuc-CKhxOH.0ZrSW0OSKfG4tzQ

 

It should work but one thing you need to make sure is that if you have more than 1 stick or RAM you need to make sure it's the same make and model otherwise they won't work together and it will make your computer system unbootable.

 

The Crucial app Earthling posting seems to suggest otherwise.
Would one of the "similar" ones shown work if I took out the original 2 gig ram and replaced it with a 4 gig instead of adding it as an addition?

 

Does crucial say each slot can support 4gb sticks if it does then they shouldn't be a problem.

 

Yes, it says 2 or 4g is compatible. I just ordered a 4 gig.
When it gets here, should I try both together even if not the same brand or just replace the 2g with the 4?

 

My experience has been that what Crucial recommends will work, regardless of make/model. Of course, you should ensure that you have also cleaned up the autorun list so that you aren't wasting your RAM on unneeded software.

 

Try both together initially. If that doesn't work just use the 4gb

 

Like Earthling said try both together it will either boot without problems and both sticks or it will recognise one stick not the other or it won't boot at all in which case you just take out 2gb stick and just use the 4gb.

 

Thanks guys/gals! Crossing my fingers that both will work together. Can't wait to try it.

 

2 to 4 or oh yes 6 gigs is PC happiness

 

Something is amiss...
Windows shows DDR2 and Speccy shows DDR3.

 

Oh no! I didn't even notice that and this is what I ordered:

Item List:
Item Description
Quantity

Unit Price

Extended Price

20-148-473 Crucial 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3L 1600 (PC3L 12800) Desktop Memory Model CT51264BD160B
1

$22.99

$22.99

Am I screwed now? I already got a tracking number.

 

Well spotted Hawkeye.....

Why don't you just pull out one of the ram modules and look at the label on it. It will have all the info that you need

When the Crucial ram module arrive, it has 240pins, compare the dets on both the labels

If this pc has an Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 cpu then it smells like DDR2 ram

 

Well, I recently became disabled and was hoping to not take the PC apart more than I have to. It's probably very dusty inside and I'd have to bring it outside to blow the dust out.
I guess the Crucial site steered mew wrong. This is there "guaranteed match" suggestion: https://www.newegg.com/crucial-4gb-...&ranSiteID=jo_pTdthTuc-CKhxOH.0ZrSW0OSKfG4tzQ

 

I understand what you are saying and am sorry for your condition but in cases where the pc has been bought preassembled as yours has, this is the only sure fire way of knowing.

Like a lot of users on this forums I build my own desktops (when needed) and know exactly what ram I've used but in the case of some laptops that I have, I invariably pull a ram module out as this is a full proof method.

 

I used to build my own too, but just can't anymore.
Anyways, the ram is on the way. Should I just return it or give it a try? I'm pretty sure Crucial said is was guaranteed compatible.

 

You cannot put a ddr3 into a ddr2 slot so if it's different from existing just return it. Compare the notches. Helluva catch Eldon!

 

Thanks to both of you. I guess I'll just send it straight back to them. Still not sure what ram to get now though. Is there another places/software besides Crucial that might be able to tell me the right ram to get?

 

Compare the notches first - it may be ok.

 

Oops, double post.

 

I hope so, thanks. Hopefully I'll be able to see the notches before opening it in case I have to return it.
I might contact Crucial too and tell them their site/software is flawed.

 

I would echo Earthling's comments. DDR3 is 240 pins DDR2 (from memory) is 188 pins, so compare them.

It will not be possible to use the wrong ram as the ram module will not fit into the ram slot on the mobo (there will be a notch that will stop this).

 

Darn, it already shipped too. I was so excited to finally have a little faster PC. I hope returning the ram goes smoothly.
I'm at a loss as to what to order now. Crucial's app sent me to DDR3 for some reason, does anyone have a suggestion on another way to find compatible ram without opening up the PC?

 

You have never given us the exact model number of your computer. Without that we can't tell you much more.

 

Sorry about that. The sticker on it says Lenovo A70 (I think). Trying to find a magnifying glass to be sure.

 

A70 has DDR3. Win 10 is wrongly reporting DDR2, probably because Lenovo do not support the A70 for Win 10.

 

Too late to edit my post, but I have to run a few errands. I'll ask my wife to double check it's A70 but I believe it's correct.

 

Ahhhh!!! So the ram I ordered might work! Thank you.

 

According to the Lenovo website the A70 supports 4GB RAM but try it with 6 - it might work and won't damage anything if it doesn't.

 

Amount of memory aside, cleaning out the dust bunnies is a good thing, and will help reduce operating temperatures and prolong your computers life. You can have Speccy auto start and monitor temps, and the readout readout can live in the Windows 10 taskbar.

 

Update: My wife read the label and thinks it says A7U. Her eyes are better than mine and she said the numbers are blurry on the label.
I googled that and came up with this for an A7U: https://www.amazon.com/Arch-Memory-240-Pin-ThinkCentre-7052-A7U/dp/B009KAZQQY
It looks like the ram I ordered should work. /crossing fingers.
I'll post again once I get the ram and install it. Thanks again everyone, I would have been lost without your help.

Totally agree about the dust. That was my first thought after deciding to upgrade the ram. It's DEFINITELY due to have the dust blown out.

 

Go here and click
Detect
Product
https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/za/en/...thinkcentre-a-series-desktops/thinkcentre-a70

 

i downloaded and installed that, but it does not run. I even tried to "run as administrator". The mouse pointer starts to spin like it's going to run, but then nothing happens.

 

I found this https://support.lenovo.com/gb/en/solutions/pd003872 it looks like it uses DDR3 memory so you should be fine.

 

Thanks Andy.
Sorry for the spotty information on the PC by the way. I feel bad I can't open it up to check the existing ram. It's just tough to do after some back surgeries. The PC is on a shelf a foot off the ground and next to a couch so it's tough to see the label on the side too.

 

It doesn't run because Lenovo's detection software does not recognise that computer with Win 10. It was only supported up to 8.1

 

I wouldn't have thought of that Earthling, thanks again. The ram should be here by Friday/Saturday (based on the tracking) so I should be able to test it soon. I'll first try both ram sticks together, if that doesn't work I'll try just the new 4g stick. If that doesn't work, back to square one I guess.

 

Well, no luck. I tried the new ram with the older ram (slot one). The first and third slots are green and 2 and 4 are blue. I tried the new ram in slot 2 and then slot 3 and both times after hooking it up the fan started going really fast and there was a series of three beeps repeatedly. This happened without even hitting the power button.
I then tried the new ram by itself in slot one and got the same thing. I put the original back in to boot up and post this. It seems I'm out of luck unless anyone has an idea to try.

 

I initiated a return with NewEgg. When I had it apart, I wrote down the numbers on the original ram and found an exact match on Ebay. Hopefully this solves it. I'll post back regarding which of the four slots slots each should go in before installing it.

 

I had been assuming you bought from Crucial, in which case a return should be no problem because of using their scanner. Good luck with it.

 

Here's the answer to your next question.

 

I was planning to buy from them, but they were sold out.

Cool. I'll install the new ram in the same color slot. I did try that with the Crucial ram too.

 

Ram and motherboards can make for especially bad bed fellows....by that I mean that I have invariably found that there can be compatibility issues.

When building a new pc, I always check that the ram that I am intent on using is either on the manufacturers QVL list or failing that post in the mobo forum to ask about compatibility.

In the case of a laptop, much as you have done, I have a look at the label and buy the same ram, or if bigger modules ensure that they are from the same manufacturers and same model that way it avoid issues.

Good Luck

 

Thanks R².