Page 1 of new RAM but pc will not boot

i brought a 512 stick of crutial pc3200 RAM the otherday, put it into the pc thinking windows will run faster but it would not boot :( :( :( , it asks if i want to safe boot then just restarts :( :( . it will boot if i put just one stick (either 512 or 256) in but refuses when they are both in together.
any ideas to get both running at the same time? or is it a case of buying another 512 of ram to match what is in?


SPEC
Motherboard =Soltek Sl-75FRN2-RL
2800 xp barton core
120 gig SATA
128mg graphics card
256 Kingston Hyperx Pc3200 ram
pioneer 107
windows xp

cheers

Quote:
or is it a case of buying another 512 of ram to match what is in?

That`s what I`d suggest you should do. ;)

but first check which slots you are putting ram into.
do not put any ram into slot 3 (the slot separated from the other 2).
Only put the memory into the two next to each other even though thats more difficult than putting 1 into slot 3 instead.
Only put a memory stick into slot 3 if you have a matched pair of identical (well spec wise not necessarily manufacturer though that makes it less likely you`ll have problems)
memory sticks as specified in the manual.
Another consideration is what is the CL rating of the ram and what is your bios set to . If your new memory has a higher cl value then you may have to set the bios accordingly as memory can run slower than specced but not faster generally

Make sure you put the larger stick in the first slot ie: 0 or 1 whichever it may be.

Not saying that will help but its the way RAM is supposed to be inserted I think.

i have had a play with the bios and finally got them both running together the only diference is the memory frequency has dropped from 200mhz to 166mhz. what is better 768mg of ram running at 166mhz or 512 of ram running at 200mhz?? or will i not notice any difference?

thanks for the previous responses