memory problems
Discussion
I went to crucial.com as reccommended on another thread here to get some more memory for this machine. I run their scanner thing & ordered 2 sticks of 1Gb SDRAM to fill my PC to the limit and replace the pair of 512Mb sticks in place currently.
well they dont work. when i install them they get reckonised as far as the BIOS counts 2Gb, the drives etc display then i get the recovery screen for windows. it wont start in any mode, it just cycles from boot to that screen. I've tried the various settings for memory in the BIOS & none make any difference.
oh & removing it, then reinstalling the old memory makes the machine boot fine. put new memory back & again its dead.
so basicly have i missed anything before i call up & complain their scanner is crap & reccomends the wrong stuff?
well they dont work. when i install them they get reckonised as far as the BIOS counts 2Gb, the drives etc display then i get the recovery screen for windows. it wont start in any mode, it just cycles from boot to that screen. I've tried the various settings for memory in the BIOS & none make any difference.
oh & removing it, then reinstalling the old memory makes the machine boot fine. put new memory back & again its dead.
so basicly have i missed anything before i call up & complain their scanner is crap & reccomends the wrong stuff?
Pretty Much yes!! However it could be the memory is faulty. Firstly get in touch with Crucial and explain the problem. They should replace the Memory. As a backup You need to find out what Motherboard is fitted to your PC. You need to find the make and model of the board. Now you might still have the little manual that came with the PC for the board. The Motherboard manual usually has the Memory speed and type, what Processor speed is the max you can put in the board and how to connect the board. If not then check for the Screen printed name on the board and look it up on the web. Most Board makers have sites with details and manuals on them.
Hooli said:
yeah currently looking for the manual, the usual problem of moving back with parents applies 'we never move your stuff but thats in the loft' when talking about something i keep 'there' 
once i find it i'll call crucial
Google for and download PC Wizard - should be able to tell you the manufacturer, model and chipset. once i find it i'll call crucialright ive found the manual which says the board can take two 1Gb sticks.
i've called crucial & they said try an update for the BIOS, well that did change things but im not sure if it was for the better.
before with 2Gb installed it would boot, do the POST tests, list the drives & go to the windows recovery screen. no matter which option you choose it would boot & return to the same screen.
since the BIOS update it doesnt power up the screen with 2Gb installed. and i dont think it boots due to the lack of drive activity.
any other combination of memory sticks works, 1Gb 1.5Gb, either way & in either slot. both 1Gb sticks work independantly but not together.
the 'help' section of ASUS's website (its a ASUS A7S266-VM motherboard) says try clearing the CMOS, see manual for details. well there arent any details for this in the manual. does anyone know how to do it & if it might help?
this is starting to get to annoying now
ETA: after two hours of trying ive managed to access the asus website once & never got as far as the manuals to tell me how to clear the CMOS. no matter that i do my browsers cant find the site, very very useful
i've called crucial & they said try an update for the BIOS, well that did change things but im not sure if it was for the better.
before with 2Gb installed it would boot, do the POST tests, list the drives & go to the windows recovery screen. no matter which option you choose it would boot & return to the same screen.
since the BIOS update it doesnt power up the screen with 2Gb installed. and i dont think it boots due to the lack of drive activity.
any other combination of memory sticks works, 1Gb 1.5Gb, either way & in either slot. both 1Gb sticks work independantly but not together.
the 'help' section of ASUS's website (its a ASUS A7S266-VM motherboard) says try clearing the CMOS, see manual for details. well there arent any details for this in the manual. does anyone know how to do it & if it might help?
this is starting to get to annoying now
ETA: after two hours of trying ive managed to access the asus website once & never got as far as the manuals to tell me how to clear the CMOS. no matter that i do my browsers cant find the site, very very useful
Edited by Hooli on Monday 17th December 13:09
There may be another more approved way of doing it, but if you disconnect the CMOS backup battery it'll wipe all the settings. Bear in mind that depending how clever the BIOS is you may need to reconfigure the drives etc before it will boot afterwards. If you have any way of getting into the BIOS first, make a note of all the current settings.
GreenV8S said:
There may be another more approved way of doing it, but if you disconnect the CMOS backup battery it'll wipe all the settings. Bear in mind that depending how clever the BIOS is you may need to reconfigure the drives etc before it will boot afterwards. If you have any way of getting into the BIOS first, make a note of all the current settings.
ok i might try that then. do you think it'll cure the problem though? as im not really convinced. im still of a mind that the memory isnt fully compatible.Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff