Upgrade advice needed please

[StinHambo]

Hello everyone! I am loving my VAIO from the first day I bought it but now it's time to upgrade!

I own a VGN-A197VP and I am looking for more memory and a faster hard drive.

Question 1 -

Is the maimum RAM 1Gb or 2Gb?

Question 2 -

Can the motherboard support faster RAM?

Question 3 -

I hear there is significant difference between 4200rpm and 5400rpm HDD speed but is there much difference between 5400rpm and 7200rpm?

Question 4 -

If I did buy a 7200rpm will my computer get too hot?


Sorry to sound so formal but perhaps you will understand exactly what I need to know!

[Blencogo]

If you have a look BELOW you will see that you can upgrade to 2048MB by buying 2 X 1GB modules.

This particular supplier guarantees compatibility.

:smileygrin:

EDIT Sorry wrong link - try HERE INSTEAD

[SteveZ]

Not with a PCG-GRV516G. the max RAM for that is 512MB.

I've just ordered a Seagate 80Gig 7200 drive for it though, I'll let you know how it goes.

Steve

[Thom.S]

hi,

can you show me where to get information from on how to get access to the hard drive in the A series?

i have a VGN-A295HP and want to upgrade my 60 GB 4200 hdd to an 80gb 5400 hitachi one.

many thanks,

please email thomswalwell@msn.com as ill forget to look on here.... thanks!

Thom:smileyhappy:

[SteveZ]

Installed new Seagate 80GB 7,200 RPM drive as mentioned above - Fantastic!

Installation went smoothly and reloaded original software from set up CD, partitioning drive into 2x 40GB.

New drive is VERY fast compared to the old 5400 Futijsu 30GB I took out and much quieter as well. Does not get hot either - going by feel alone I would say it's actually running cooler!

I can highly recommend this upgrade.

SorryI can't help with the 'A' series drive question, mine just slides out the side via a cover.

Steve

[astudler]

I own a VGN-A197XP and upgraded it to a 60GB 7200RPM about a year ago. Works perfect. You basically have to disassembly the notbook as the drive is not easely replaceable ..... very stupid .....

Here is a link that describes you the process in detail .... but .... it is in german.... the steps are illustraded with pictures so you should still be able to follow the steps without reading the text.

http://www.user2user.info/forum/notebook/viewtopic.php?t=2259

Hope that helps

Anatol

[Thom.S]

yes, that is exactly what i was looking for. thank you very much.

only one bad thing, i was correct in thinking that i would have to basically strip the laptop down to replace the hard drive.

maybe i will replace it if i need to have a lot of storage.
other than a real desperate need, i think i will keep it for now.

thank you again,


Thom