HP G56 Laptop Advice, suggestions

[manxnorton]

Hi All,
Basically as my PC is out of action for at least a month, the only way to do my video editing work is an old laptop.
I'll try and cut it short and get the point lol.
As you know editing software, demand a lot on the RAM etc specially rendering and exporting.
Hope if possible the two main keys to change is:
The RAM.
Change the hard drive to SSD.

Here is what i know about the laptop.

Any suggestions on the RAM and how much (size) and any links to buy (UK) would be really appreciated.
The only issues ive had with a laptop (a previous laptop) ram was for all it had DDR3 ram, i bought the ram sticks.
but alas no matter how i tried it the ram would work.
Someone mentioned the frequency or something like that, too high,it was not compatible, not sure.
Ending up buying a second batch on recommendation. Still didnt work.
So put the old ram back in, put the laptop away.
Ill look at the SSD after if the RAM could be fixed.
An old laptop i know, but worth a shot.
Thanks so much.
Brian

 

[Bastet]

The Crucial website will check your RAM & let you know whether there’s any upgrade options.

Crucial Advisor tool

uk.crucial.com

 

[manxnorton]

Thank so much.
I'm struggling to use the link you sent, for the laptop.
i used google and found out this link.

Memory RAM & SSD Upgrades | hp - compaq | hp g5xx series | HP G56-127NR | Crucial UK

Crucial Memory and SSD upgrades - 100% Compatibility Guaranteed for hp - compaq HP G56-127NR

uk.crucial.com

I have add at this stage, befor i go any further to 'Paint a picture' of why logical and easy solutions i struggle with.
Due to illness i suffered physical disability, and mental disability including Asphasia & learning difficulties.
So days ok, but as the day goes on, or i face a problem, it like a automatic **** down of 'Info Overload' lol.
so as you can imagine faced with suggested DDR3, i got exited as i have 4 sticks of 4GB each.
Obv im doing a search wrong somewhere, so please correct me.

ok all going good.
My stash.

out the old ram comes.

now this now just smashed my head in.
if you look at the difference on DD2 (old ram fitted) & DDR3, the pins are different.
The DDR3 are too big and dont fit the labptop.
Sorry i have to rest lol, maybe a 'simple solution' will crop up, and what i was doing wrong etc.

 

[manxnorton]

DDR3 top, DDR2 bottom.

i even thought the RAM case might have the answer, but i was stumped!!!!

Bri

 

[veeg]

As you can see only DD2 ram will work.. Also i checked here and Crucial had the same suggestion, which is wrong. Hmm!

 

[manxnorton]

Barrrrr!! I was going demented!
Thought it was me as usual doing things wrong.
So least we know it has to be DDR2.
I’ll wait for link suggestions as my online buying is horrendous.
Least we know it has two slots.
Thx so much for quickly getting back to me, so I can carry on with my old mans 40 winks
Bri

 

[Bruce]

just a suggestion....

I haven't had to buy DDR2 for yonks, but reckon you'll have little chance of buying new, so will be looking at 2nd hand.
then you have to factor in the whole compatibility of RAM sticks with your laptop scenario, and before you know it, you've wasted your time and money on 5 different attempts, all unsuccessful.

I would be taking the laptop to a PC repair store. if they are anything like the usual crop, they will have a box of old, pre-loved memory sticks that they can swap in and out until they get lucky. should also be able to do it while you wait.

after the memory upgrade, yes, the SSD upgrade will then offer the best chance of getting a speedy PC.

 

[manxnorton]

Thanx pal,
Yeahh I mulled this ova n ova again this morning.
Look at the first two ettempts on the DDR3 on an older laptop.
Let’s face it Bruce, if my pc was up and running there’ll be no need hehe!
Tbh it could be looked just a wim! But I need the pc or laptop for video editing on 3 YouTube channels & 2 for pals.
Not that I’m any good lol, but I’ve re-Leart since losing all memory.
M8, for a quick minute this morn crazy things come into my tiny mind! Off to pc world and get a laptop that would run the editing software
So look at the Ram, we know now thsts it DDR2.
It’s was suggested two banks o 4GB, total 8GB,
Not sure.
As you said risk the comparability issues.
Tbh is I can research the right ram and size I could get it tomorrow.
What to do. Lol
Going to look at the already ram in, and see if least 2 x 4GB and fingers crossed.
Rolled 9th June when I can get my pc back.
Always something I need to learn.
Keep you posted.
Keep safe.
Bri

 

[manxnorton]

What I notice straight away on the net, of second hand RAM.
The ram already in (ddr2 pc2 6400 400MHz ) small size of GB.
So looking at the same ram but 4GB and 800MHz instead of 400,
Would one be compatible?
My thinking (OMG! Me thinking!)
Take the risk of 1 x 800MHz (4GB ) around £36, and try.
It as said if a fail back to square one..
Tbh the risk of 2 x 4GB (DDR2 PC2 6400 800MHz) around £76 is too much.
Taking risks
Having a good look, would a combination of the 2GB (400MHz already in and working) take one out and put the 4GB (800MHz ) in and see? Or
Just try the 4GB 800MHz by itself and see, if works take the hit for another 4GB stick.
Tbh up to so far if it works £80 ish.
Better Than going to pc world buying a new laptop that’ll only be used til my pc back…
Hmmm! An expensive option.
In the household then we would have 3 laptops, one desktop pc and numerous iPads, mobile phones.
Crazy world lol
Bri

 

[Bastet]

As Crucial is offering what appears to be the incorrect RAM then the PC may be too old to upgrade or it has found incorrect information in the scan.
You may have to cross post on the HP forum https://h30434.www3.hp.com/ where someone may have better knowledge of the PC.

You can still upgrade to a SSD providing the drive has a SATA connection.

 

[manxnorton]

Great advice my m8.
Thanks so much.
I’ll have a look.
And look at the SSD upgrade side o things.
Bri

 

[Bastet]

Keep us updated.

 

[manxnorton]

I tell you, always my luck trying to sort out things lol.
Had to use CMD prompt to get my serial number,
Then getting the HP site was trying to get onto Fort Knox,
Least full title of the laptop.

As thought.

At least they don't mess around like Crucial.
So think way ahead is take the risk it for a biscuit (always wanted to say that!) of FOR NOW 4GB DDR2 PC2 6400 800MHz.
As for the SSD, i haven't looked a lot,
On google.

Happy weekend all.
Keep safe,
Bri

 

[PeterOz]

Tbh the risk of 2 x 4GB (DDR2 PC2 6400 800MHz) around £76 is too much.

Do you have a link
Cruical should give you your money back.
The other thing that needs to be looked at Beside the DDR being wrong type of ram the voltage is also wrong. it is 1.35 Volts
Your DDR2 PC2 6400 800MHz also needs to be 1.80 Volts

 

[manxnorton]

Good morning Peter.
Thanks so much for replying.
I eluded that I never bought from Crucial. It was too much to handle with smashing my brain to confusion the other day.
So found out the nearest ram side (4GB ) was the 800Mzhz.
Taking the risk on a old laptop is surly a learning experience. As I found out with the first laptop with DDD3, that project after two failed buying ram was scrapped.
Think it was Bruce, talking about old stock.
Hay hoo! As I said the option was wait til 9th June and get my pc fixed or buy an new laptop, just to crack on with my video editing.
We’ll see what comes out with the next ram (bought yesterday) just 4GB to see.
Fingers crossed, but Peter I’ve learnt so much.
Someone told me years ago, pc etc are ok when everything is fine, it’s when a problem arise it’s when you learn, & I’m defo. Doing my share.
I really don’t want to go and buy an new powerful laptop just to get my work done, but needs are must lol.
Take care,
Bri

 

[manxnorton]

A very good morning all.
A lul in battle my end lol (maybe get the RAM delivered tomorrow)
And see.
Took me nearly 4 hours to slowly edit a 5 minute video on my editing software.
Painly slow LOL.
Ok taking stock on my two threads, pc fix is ongoing. Second laptop we’ll see maybe tomorrow weather i it’s a fail or not.
But just want to thank you all, as I’m leaning so much.
As I mentioned when thing go wrong it’s when I learn.
One thing I was trying to get the words out to not confuse people (due to my brain condition) is:
Ok both laptops are OLD.
But why is it suggested a same RAM IN BOTH DDR3 & NOW DDR2)
An increase in size (GB) and the MHz.
Show in the first laptop no matter what I do it keeps coming into a repair loop.
Hope yous are still me lol.
The minute I put the old slow ram in, boots perfect.
Hmmmm!
Does this mean that due to age 2 x 1GB DDR3 will only work.
We know the probs for the latest laptop.
DDR2 and it’s different size compared to DDR3.
Obv I’m not conversed of BIOs, booting up sequence etc.
Is it maybe the way I have to boot up the old laptop (F2 etc)
Sorry teo laptops in one thread I know, and a novel from a bloke that struggles to tied his shoes, let alone string a sentence together to mske sence!
Hay hoo.
May some one can decypher what I mean.
It’s like I need a Klingon to help lol.
As always keep safe, and look after each other.
Bri

 

[manxnorton]

Good morning, hope all is well?
What little brain power i have left, it hit me!
Brian what is the overall objection of upgrading and old laptop?
And it came down to one thing VIDEO EDITING, plain and simple.
What am im working with (video editing)-Working with high resolution footage is both power- and memory-intensive.
And the more i look at the prices of a high end laptop like Dell XPS 15 OLED, seems A 'wim' or an expensive toy until my pc gets fixed.
At least 16GB & SSD, not forgetting graphics card & CPU etc.
I'm not under any illusion that what I'm trying atm, try a 4GB DDR3...if it fired up, I still need to get another 4GB.
To run Win 10 & Edditing software with only 8GB ram. hmmmm!
Probably wake up and smell the coffee and rose lol.
we'll see hope in a few hours time.

Bri

 

[PeterOz]

LUCK

 

[manxnorton]

Thx Peter.
The Delivery man or should say the posty let me down again lol.
Day two of having the laptop cover open then old RAM removed :-(
Ohhh well best make myself useful, there’s a ‘Forrest’to cut in the garden and front.
Tbh Peter this thread coming to the end he!he! Milked it.
Take care.
Bri

 

[manxnorton]

Guys!
I could of just told you all either it worked or not.
Two things I mentioned.
1. This thread is becoming ‘milked’ lol
2. I struggle with online buying!
Number two has cought me out AGAIN.
Was wondering why the delivery was taking so long!
Yeahh you’ve guessed it!
I ordered the RAM from outer rings of Saturn! (China) estimated 20 of June)
Omg I’ll be back from Scotland with my repaired pc by then.
So guys, might aswell close the thread.
I’ll update you if needed.
I thank you all for sticking by my crazy world of BRIAN.
Hope you all keep safe, and look after each other.
Brian