Memory problem
Discussion
Ok guys, first off; Thanks for the advice on the memory. As a result I have recently purchased 2 x Samsung 512mb PC2100 memory sticks.
I was hoping to add both 512s to my exsisting 512 to build upto 1.5gb...only problem is, my pc will not run (for some reason) all 3 memory sticks together and only seems to run 1024mb
My specs are as follows
Asus A7N8X Deluxe motherboard
AMD Athlon XP 1800+ (1.54ghz)
Previously 512mb DDR
Nvidia G-force FX550 GFX 256mb
Win XP Home Edition SP1
When booting up the system using all 3 512 sticks, the system will get passed the bios and the other usual sh!te and will be fast approaching the point where it tells me that XP is loading, just before that screen it shuts down and starts again, usually asking if I want to run in Safemode?
any ideas?
I was hoping to add both 512s to my exsisting 512 to build upto 1.5gb...only problem is, my pc will not run (for some reason) all 3 memory sticks together and only seems to run 1024mb
My specs are as follows
Asus A7N8X Deluxe motherboard
AMD Athlon XP 1800+ (1.54ghz)
Previously 512mb DDR
Nvidia G-force FX550 GFX 256mb
Win XP Home Edition SP1
When booting up the system using all 3 512 sticks, the system will get passed the bios and the other usual sh!te and will be fast approaching the point where it tells me that XP is loading, just before that screen it shuts down and starts again, usually asking if I want to run in Safemode?
any ideas?
Are you sure the original ram was PC2100 ? That boards supports PC3200/PC2700/PC2100/PC1600 non-ECC DDR RAM. Personally at the virtually give away price of RAM nowadays I would have gone for the fastest this board can run so PC3200. Perhaps your existing 512 is something other than 2100 so wont interop with your new slow RAM ?
Also, do you see 1.5GB on the POST screen (so does the BIOS see it) - and if you go into the BIOS settings does it appear as 1.5GB or 1GB in there ?
Quick check to see if there are chip faults, just install one chip in memory slot 1, turn on does it show 512 on POST ? do the same for each chip. Then you know if all chips are ok. Then try two chips together, check for 1GB etc... this way you should work out by elimination which combination of chips dont work. Most likely a mismatch between old and new so I *expect* your old chip on its own will work fine , but coupled with either of the new chips wont work.
>> Edited by bigdods on Thursday 18th May 17:26
Also, do you see 1.5GB on the POST screen (so does the BIOS see it) - and if you go into the BIOS settings does it appear as 1.5GB or 1GB in there ?
Quick check to see if there are chip faults, just install one chip in memory slot 1, turn on does it show 512 on POST ? do the same for each chip. Then you know if all chips are ok. Then try two chips together, check for 1GB etc... this way you should work out by elimination which combination of chips dont work. Most likely a mismatch between old and new so I *expect* your old chip on its own will work fine , but coupled with either of the new chips wont work.
>> Edited by bigdods on Thursday 18th May 17:26
Sometimes memory has a maximum addressable limit - meaning that it can't "see" memory beyond a certain size. I would have thought, however, that rather than crashing you just wouldn't "have" the extra memory when booted.
Also, it could be that the motherboard has to have the memory in pairs (to do with 32 bit memory and 64 bit addressing I believe).
My first port of call would be to go back to the person who built your system or go to the manufactures website of the motherboard and see if they have a forum there or an email support channel or an FAQ etc.
Edit:
Dual-Channel DDR 400
3 x 184-pin DIMM Sockets
Max. 3 GB unbuffered PC3200/PC2700/PC2100/PC1600 non-ECC DDR RAM Memory (Twinbank)
Expansion Slots
The memory slots are much closer to the chipset than other motherboards in order to facilitate having a higher memory speed and timing option. The less distance that the signals have to carry with the least noise is what allows the NVIDIA nForce2 platform to reach DDR400 specifications and allow their DDR333 memory to run at the fastest possible memory settings. The memory is once again in a 2x1 configuration for a total of 3 memory slots, slots 1 and 2 for DDR channel 1 and slot 3 for DDR channel 2. In order to get the best performance, having identical sticks of RAM in slots 1 and 3 is required.
From t'internet - Does anyone know what that means?
>> Edited by chim_knee on Thursday 18th May 17:26
Also, it could be that the motherboard has to have the memory in pairs (to do with 32 bit memory and 64 bit addressing I believe).
My first port of call would be to go back to the person who built your system or go to the manufactures website of the motherboard and see if they have a forum there or an email support channel or an FAQ etc.
Edit:
Dual-Channel DDR 400
3 x 184-pin DIMM Sockets
Max. 3 GB unbuffered PC3200/PC2700/PC2100/PC1600 non-ECC DDR RAM Memory (Twinbank)
Expansion Slots
The memory slots are much closer to the chipset than other motherboards in order to facilitate having a higher memory speed and timing option. The less distance that the signals have to carry with the least noise is what allows the NVIDIA nForce2 platform to reach DDR400 specifications and allow their DDR333 memory to run at the fastest possible memory settings. The memory is once again in a 2x1 configuration for a total of 3 memory slots, slots 1 and 2 for DDR channel 1 and slot 3 for DDR channel 2. In order to get the best performance, having identical sticks of RAM in slots 1 and 3 is required.
From t'internet - Does anyone know what that means?
>> Edited by chim_knee on Thursday 18th May 17:26
I was told by a very reliable fella I know who works at a large computer wholesaler & service centre *cough cough* www.lightcomputers.com *cough cough* that it cold be an issue with the timing differential between the new chips and my relatively old motherboard.
He took both 512mb chips in for testing and they came back perfect, in that time he advised me to try one of the Kingston 512 DDR400 sticks in my machine...the shocking thing is, it works perfectly
The good thing is that the memory sticks have both been fully tested at said specialist and are fully working, as a result they're now for sale on Ebay
He took both 512mb chips in for testing and they came back perfect, in that time he advised me to try one of the Kingston 512 DDR400 sticks in my machine...the shocking thing is, it works perfectly
The good thing is that the memory sticks have both been fully tested at said specialist and are fully working, as a result they're now for sale on Ebay
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