Does the motherboard or OS determine max RAM?

Lupine · 23-11-2004, 02:16 AM

Hello all,

I was wondering if someone could help me out. I'm running Windows XP home SP2 and have a Jetway 830CF/CH motherboard. I'm trying to get my computer up to 1GB of RAM, but when I put 2 sticks of 512MB PC133 SDRAM into the motherboard, my machine won't boot. Alternately, when I put in one 256 and one 512 it will. I was under the impression Windows XP will recognize up to 3GB of RAM, so I'm guessing it's something to do with my cheap motherboard. If anyone knows how I can get 1gig working in my computer or if I've hit my system limits, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Big B · 23-11-2004, 02:40 AM

Actually, it may not be the motherboard so much as the chipset used by that motherboard. Windows XP Home or Pro supports up to 2GB of memory max, but that shouldn't be a problem, as the 730S chipset on your motherboard only supports up to 1GB max.

What I'm thinking is a couple of things:
1.)The 512MB sticks don't want to work with each other; or
2.)There's something with the BIOS that either needs to be updated to a newer one, or is just not going to play nice with both sticks.

Lupine · 23-11-2004, 02:55 AM

Thanks for the info Big B. I'll take a look to see if I need to update the BIOS. I would think it's not the sticks as the 2 512s are the same brand and the 256 is a different one and the latter combo works. Hopefully I can get them to play nice.

Lupine · 23-11-2004, 04:27 AM

You were right Big B. Turns out the BIOS I was running was 2 years old. Soon as I updated it my system recognized the 1gb of RAM. Thank you. I never would have figured that one out on my own. Glad to know the money I spent on the new sticks wasnb't a waste. Thanks again

23-11-2004, 02:16 AM	#1 (permalink) Top
Lupine Geek Trainee Join Date: Nov 2004 Age: 36 Male Posts: 6 Status: Offline My Computer	Does the motherboard or OS determine max RAM? Hello all, I was wondering if someone could help me out. I'm running Windows XP home SP2 and have a Jetway 830CF/CH motherboard. I'm trying to get my computer up to 1GB of RAM, but when I put 2 sticks of 512MB PC133 SDRAM into the motherboard, my machine won't boot. Alternately, when I put in one 256 and one 512 it will. I was under the impression Windows XP will recognize up to 3GB of RAM, so I'm guessing it's something to do with my cheap motherboard. If anyone knows how I can get 1gig working in my computer or if I've hit my system limits, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

23-11-2004, 02:40 AM	#2 (permalink) Top
Big B HWF Godfather Join Date: Dec 2001 Age: 28 Male Posts: 9,636 Times Helpful: 585 My Mood: Devilish Status: Offline My Computer	Actually, it may not be the motherboard so much as the chipset used by that motherboard. Windows XP Home or Pro supports up to 2GB of memory max, but that shouldn't be a problem, as the 730S chipset on your motherboard only supports up to 1GB max. What I'm thinking is a couple of things: 1.)The 512MB sticks don't want to work with each other; or 2.)There's something with the BIOS that either needs to be updated to a newer one, or is just not going to play nice with both sticks. __________________ Hardware Forums\|HWF Rules\|My DVD's\|PSU FAQ\|HWF Folding Team\|2CPU

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23-11-2004, 02:55 AM	#3 (permalink) Top
Lupine Geek Trainee Join Date: Nov 2004 Age: 36 Male Posts: 6 Status: Offline My Computer	Thanks for the info Big B. I'll take a look to see if I need to update the BIOS. I would think it's not the sticks as the 2 512s are the same brand and the 256 is a different one and the latter combo works. Hopefully I can get them to play nice.

23-11-2004, 04:27 AM	#4 (permalink) Top
Lupine Geek Trainee Join Date: Nov 2004 Age: 36 Male Posts: 6 Status: Offline My Computer	You were right Big B. Turns out the BIOS I was running was 2 years old. Soon as I updated it my system recognized the 1gb of RAM. Thank you. I never would have figured that one out on my own. Glad to know the money I spent on the new sticks wasnb't a waste. Thanks again

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