topic Re: K215B Spec Problem in PCs & Accessories

K215B Spec Problem

saladin — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 22:34:08 GMT

I recently purchased a K215B VAIO laptop from the Dabs.com online retailer. I was impressed with the specs of the machine for the price asked. However, after receiving my laptop, I noticed that there are two hard drives instead of one. The first is labeled C: and amounts to a memory capacity of 18.6GB, the second is 😧 and is only 13.9GB. The advertised capacity was 40 GB, both on the retailer's site and on the stickers on the outside of the laptop!

Also, I have since noticed that the amount of RAM installed is not the 512MB as advertised, but is instead only 448MB...is this right? Is anyone else's laptop under what is specified by the retailers, or is it just me who's been short-changed?:smileycry:

Re: K215B Spec Problem

TygerTyger — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 22:46:25 GMT

That is right, 35Gb is how much you end up with.......it's really to do with the fact that computer nerds and mathematicians devised the Mb/Gb etc format. Whereas 1000 would be a nice, sensible number to mark these things out with, it's actually 1024. Luckily it's still not as bad as the kilobytes/kilobits/whatever that we have in the modem world. Basically when the space is added up it actually comes to what you have, which is correct., and it's the same for everyone.
That doesn't apply to RAM however, where the number is what it is. 448Mb doesn't sound right at all, where did you get that number?

Re: K215B Spec Problem

robpaxton — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 22:49:09 GMT

64 Mb of system memory will have been grabbed by the video system as shared memory.

There is also really only one hard drive, it is supplied partitioned into two sections.

Normally the second partition (D:) is better for storing music/video/documents etc. as it helps avoid drive fragmentation on the first (C:) partition where the system and programs are usually stored.

Re: K215B Spec Problem

nick_pan — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 22:52:36 GMT

yeh the ram stated should be within a 2-3mb boundary i think..

thinking about it, considering u've got 512mb of mem, u may be able to up that gfx mem to 128 at the cost of ram..think u can change it in the bios..
thats if u need it, although its more worthwhile if you've got a gig of ram

Re: K215B Spec Problem

saladin — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 22:53:58 GMT

Fair enough on the whole memory thing, then. I was worried that I was getting screwed

I got the figure for the RAM by right-clicking on My Computer and viewing 'Properties'. The RAM's recorded in the bottom right-hand corner as being "448MB of RAM"...I take it that that's not normal?:smileysad:

Re: K215B Spec Problem

robpaxton — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 22:56:01 GMT

Yes it is normal - 64Mb is being taken for the video. The total then adds up to 512Mb

Re: K215B Spec Problem

saladin — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 22:57:32 GMT

Ah. Makes sense, I suppose...

Kinda wish I'd stopped by here first, before sending that angry email to Dabs.com:smileywink:

Re: K215B Spec Problem

robpaxton — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 22:58:41 GMT

Dabs can take it - they'll be used to getting told off

Re: K215B Spec Problem

TygerTyger — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 23:09:42 GMT

Hold on a second.......my K115s uses shared RAM presumbly, but it reports the full 512mb?

Re: K215B Spec Problem

robpaxton — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 23:16:30 GMT

Nope - yours doesn't use shared memory, it has a Radeon 9200 which has its own memory.

Re: K215B Spec Problem

nick_pan — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 23:45:52 GMT

see tyger we're lucky

we got 512mb of ram..! my machine is going into 65 degree mode.. when is previously touched 59 and no more..

the tragic over heating issue is on its way for me..

Re: K215B Spec Problem

TygerTyger — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 09:32:43 GMT

Easy solution nick.....turn off your temperature measuring software . I think I'll put my RAM up to 1024 at some point, would do the world of good.

Who is that in your profile by the way? Looks like paris hilton

Re: K215B Spec Problem

kee-lo_ — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 13:16:34 GMT

I thought it was Paris Hilton myself too.
Then again so is this:

Hilton Paris - La Defence

Re: K215B Spec Problem

TygerTyger — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 14:09:56 GMT

Ah. Both tall, thin and expensive. Also both are surpisingly vacant.

Re: K215B Spec Problem

kee-lo_ — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 14:43:40 GMT

ROFLMFAO

Re: K215B Spec Problem

tellingd — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 14:43:52 GMT

Re: K215B Spec Problem

kee-lo_ — Fri, 03 Sep 2004 14:44:22 GMT

Thought you'd like that one DT