[nylug-talk] basic question about memory

[Kenneth Dombrowski]

Sorry this isn't about Linux exactly, but I just lost some memory in my
laptop (which runs debian) &, upon examining it to determine what to 
replace it with, I'm not sure it was the right kind to begin with

The memory that's shot says "PC100-222-620 ... 256MB SYNCH 100MHz CL2", 
it has 8 chips, 4 on each side. 

My laptop though, is a Sony Vaio PCG-FX370K. I looked at sonymemory.com, 
memorysuppliers.com & a few others and they all suggest a 16-chip 133MHz 
(umm.. stick?): 

 256MB 144-pin PC133 7.5ns SODIMM Memory for Laptop & Notebook Computers. 
 16 chips.

Are those important differences between memory? Could that be why it
became fried in only a year and a half? (It happened really suddenly
last week. the computer won't even try to boot with that stick in there 
anymore) 

This is the stick the salesman sold me when he upgraded my memory at the
original time of purchase of the laptop. The remaining 256MB does, in
fact, have 16 chips on it, though I don't see any indication of a MHz
value  

Obviously I will buy the recommended memory as a replacement, but was it
reasonable of the guy to give me the 100MHz memory in the first place? 

I just don't like not knowing how to feel about it..

Thanks in advance,
Kenneth