Outdated motherboard driver?

I am trying to upgrade my RAM memory from the standard 2gb (2x1gb) DDR2 built in to a kingston hyperx 4gb set (2x2gb) DDR 2
As far as i know it's all compatible but when i install them my laptop doesn't work. It does run ok if i only install one of the 2gb.
I have done some searching and it seems that my motherboard driver
is hopelessly out of date. Unfortunately the company that built my laptop (xxodd) no longer exists. I have found some driver programs that recognize this problem but they all require paid registration, and i doubt they'll be able to actually find this driver.
I'm running windows vista home basic 32 bit.
I have added a report from everest home (quick motherboard report)
I'd like to know if i can solve this problem myself (preferrably for free) or should i send my laptop to a certified repairsmen. In any case, if this driver can be found anywhere.
The program 'driver reviver' that i've found here on majorgeeks reports:
VIA Chrome 9 HC IGP Family WDDM and
VIA Serial ATA Controller 0591
to be 'Ancient' I know the first one is a display driver but the second one might have something to do with it?

many thanks in advance, fixing this might increase the life span of my laptop by a year or two.

 

The available driver for VIA are here. But, I think your problem will not be solved with a driver update. I believe this is more related to a BIOS update.

 

Ah yes, i think you're right. Thanks for the via link!.
I encountered this issue a year or so ago, forgot all about it, but found the ram cards yesterday.
Any ideas about Bios updating? I've heard it's quite risky.
the local retailer where i got this laptop still exists maybe they can fix it.

 

There is always a chance the BIOS flash can go bad and you end up with a bricked computer. I would avoid it especially because this computer is no longer supported. You could take it to a shop but 2GB or ram should be okay for vista basic. Depending on what you use this notebook for, you may have a better experience with a linux distro like Ubuntu or Linux Mint Cimarron than Vista Basic.

I found out this on the web.
"XXODD is one of the most well known European Clevo vendors"

Here is the Clevo site. You may find some info here. Make sure the model number is exactly the same if you plan to flash the BIOS. You can try a shop but I would contact Clevo first, especially if you plan to flash the BIOS. They may also be able to advise you on the RAM problem.

http://www.clevo.com.tw/en/e-services/download.asp

 

Unfortunately this is not a clevo laptop. It was manufactured during an experiment to standardise euorpeoan laptop fabrication. The motherboard is an award phoenix one but i can't find a model or type anywhere. The shop i know was the shop where i originally bought this pc. I need the extra ram because i'm working with sound processing (cubase) in wich i have some limitations because of ram capacity. for the rest, my vista is probably one of the most stable and fast vista's i have encountered so i think that says something about the overall quality of this build. Due to current moving in progress (i have to completely redecorate my new home) it will be a while before i'll have the money to get a more modern pc or a separate mac for my musical activities. for now i suggest this topic can be closed. thanks a lot for the information anyway!

 

Thank you all.

I checked the via site but i can't seem to find the make and model of my chipset as everest reports the motherboard and chipset as unknown.

Any idea how to find this information?

 

Hi my friend , you must download this tool

http://majorgeeks.com/Speccy_d6358.html

follow the process :

from left column choose
Summary ( wait 30 seconds until report generated )

from bar menu select :

File
Save as Text file
choose desktop as saving location
follow this process to post your machine type report

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=86880

:wave

 

Okay here's the report from speccy.
If i'm correct this is my chipset: P4M900/CN896/VN896/PT890
and thus i can use the Via Hyperion 4 in 1 chipset driver
listed on their site.

 

So i just run this and that's that?

It said after installing:
you need to reboot to use the program

But i can't find any via program.
A few .exe files in the install folder but they don't work.

 

Ok that's all done.

Should i try to install the new ram cards again?
With updated drivers this might work right?

 

No. It didn't. Well off to make a back up and meet the shop guy.
Thanks a lot mates!

 

I have tried them both separately and they both work fine.
I can't reach that battery without completely disassembling the entire laptop.
Now, it has had its share of abuse over the years and i can't say that the casing is in good condition, the hinges of my screen have been stuck in position for quite a while, my keyboard wont fit in the casing anymore so it just lays on top of it, some screws have fallen out and the cover to get to memory and hard drve etc won't stay on anymore. Makes it easy to remove dust from the fan etc though...
But i don't feel like taking off any other parts so i'll just let them do that if necessary.