Page 1 of Just bought me some new RAM

I bought a stick of 256MB SDRAM, its P133, although my existing RAM is P100 is undestad that the P133 is backwards compatible, I fitted the new RAM once with the existing RAM (128MB) and looked in the system properties but my RAM remained at the same amount. I then put the new RAM in on its own and the computer wouldn`t load up at all. Have I bought duff RAM or am i doing something wrong?
Cheers peeps
Peace out
Urban

The RAM might be duff, but that`s not the only possible explanation.

If your computer`s motherboard is relatively old, the new RAM may not be compatible with it, as its density may be too high. The best way to resolve this is to count the number of memory chips on the stick (this should be a power of 2, i.e. 2, 4, 8 etc.), and calculate the density of the chips as follows:

1) Take the total capacity of the RAM stick (in Megabytes)
2) Multiply by 8
3) Divide by the number of memory chips on the stick to get the density in Megabits

So a 256MB stick with 16 memory chips soldered to it (8 on each side) would be 128MBit density, whereas one with 8 memory chips soldered to it would be 256MBit density. As a rule, 128MBit density RAM should work with anything of Pentium II or later vintage, but 256MBit stuff tends only to work with more recent hardware.

If you want to be a bit more geeky :D and you happen to know the exact chipset your motherboard uses, you can look up the RAM support in this handy table.

Mike

This item was edited on Sunday, 3rd August 2003, 19:48

Yeah it`s got 8 on each side, so I`m guessing it`s duff RAM.
Anyone got any other ideas or should I just exchange it?
Cheers
Urban

Urban
A while since I phannied about with my old system but the old K6/ Pentium motherboards I used to use had similar troubles. Might be wrong but here goes. :)

There is a possibility that the free memory slots in your motherboard have to be used in a certain pre-determined order, ie SIMM 1 and DIMM 2. Motherboards that allow you to combine different spec`d SIMM / DIMM sticks of memory need them installed in certain slots depending on memory type . The false indication of your total memory may be a result of you putting the extra memory in the wrong slot. Try simply placing the original memory in Slot 1. After that try installing the extra memory in each of the available slots in turn and see if the memory total changes.
If the system memory shows the original total then the only possibility is that the memory or the board is faulty.

HTH

Choagy :)

Should have added. What type of motherboard is it, Gigabyte/PC Chips etc.

This item was edited on Sunday, 3rd August 2003, 21:03

I`ve tried the RAM in both of the slots, with and without the original RAM and still no joy, I have no idea what motherboard have, is there some piece of software that will tell you?
Cheers
Urban

Urban.

Try downloading Sisoftware Sandra 2002 . This is a great utility for identifying almost every aspect of your system. It has utilities that check BIOS/CPU/Soundcard/Video Card and a host of other utilities. It may be able to highlight problems either accessing the memory or the slot in the motherboard.
You could try downloading it from any of the usual like PC Format, PC Pro. Go to http://www.download.com/2001-20-0.html?... or try Google and search for Sisoft etc there.

HTH

Choagy :)

This item was edited on Sunday, 3rd August 2003, 21:57

Go to the Crucial website and enter the PC model that you have got and make sure what is the maximum RAM you can have, I know that I have an old P120 from Getaway and the maximum RAM i can put is 128MB.

JC

Cheers for that, it says the maximum memory I can have is 512MB, I`m sending the RAM back and getting it exchanged, thanks for all teh repsonses though.
Peace out
Urban

Well I sent the RAM back and got a new stick this morning.
Can anyone tell me what the point is in selling RAM that doesn`t work, can anyone recommend RAM that will work?
Cheers
Urban

Quote:
Can anyone tell me what the point is in selling RAM that doesn`t work

I`m sure they don`t do it deliberately ;)

Buying unbranded RAM is generally a bad idea, because the quality control isn`t up to the same standards as branded stuff (Crucial, Samsung etc.)

Quote:
can anyone recommend RAM that will work?

Crucial. If you use the Memory Selector on their website (which matches the RAM to your motherboard), they offer a cast-iron guarantee that the RAM will work.

After a few nasty scrapes with cheap RAM, I buy all my memory from Crucial these days. :D

Mike