I've just put a 1GB stick of RAM in my XP machine. The machine already had I X 256 MB. I went into 'Sytem Properties' to check the now new amount of RAM - only to find the reading is only 768 MB! Any ideas on this one? Thanks, David
The motherboard can take up to 2GB of DDR 184 pin RAM. It has two DDR slots, so I guess it should be able to take 1GB in each of the two slots. I'm running Memtest to see if it throws up any errors - it might be a faulty stick of RAM. Also, I've been getting a few BSOD after adding the 1GB stick relating to the memory Thanks, David.
UPDATE: The RAM stick I put in ('1GB') only turns out to be a 512MB stick!). It was clearly labeled as '1GB' though - the manufacturers must have put the wrong label on it! Anyway, for now, I've just put the stick of 512MBs in that they sent me, and everything works fine - no BSOD!! I've asked the manufacturers to send me an additional stick to make up the difference, or I can return the stick and they can send me a new 1GB stick. Point to note: The stick they sent was 300Mhz and the 256MB stick that I already had in was 400MHz. I didn't think mixing RAM speeds caused conflict (BSOD) - which it did - but it seems this is sometimes not the case.
Interesting: Whilst I'm waiting for the manufacturer to send me the correct amount of RAM I requested, I've been experimenting with The 2 sticks I have at home - 1 X 256MB (400MHz) and 1 x 512MB (300MHz). If I put the 512MB (300MHz) in Slot 1 and the 256MB (400MHz) in Slot 2, I get crashes (BSOD). Now, if I do the reverse, things work just fine! I did not think the order of installing memory mattered, but it seems to on my machine. If anything, I thought things would have worked better by putting the slower stick in the first slot.
The seller of the 1GB RAM has sent me the following information, which suggests my motherboard might not be compatible for the RAM: "I understand you received a product which is not working. We are here to take care of you You had purchased : SAMSUNG 1GB DDR PC3200 DDR400 3200 PC2700 PC2100 RAM eBay: SAMSUNG 1GB DDR PC3200 DDR400 3200 PC2700 PC2100 RAM (item 120135865067 end time Jun-30-07 04:00:00 PDT) If product is defective we will send exchange, but for 128x4 we know that main issue could be either older bios or incompatibly - Not actual Defect. Did you make sure your system will take 128x4 density memory modules - which is called High Density Modules. Not every motherboard works with them. 128x8 has more compatibility than 128x4, but it is also high density module. So first lets do process of elimination - If you know how to , then update the bios , as some older bios versions will not accept high Density memory. Then turn PC with old memory, then shut it down, remove old memory and put this memory and see what happens. Still does not work? OK time to check compatibility to be sure. We will double check for you - Can you please email us back at [email protected] which MOTHERBOARD or SYSTEM you are using it with. This is what we see in incompatible scenario 1. DUAL Channel does not work ( 1 module works, 1 does not ). What happens,when you put both together, one slot kills 1 memory, so customers feel 1 is bad. In actuality it may be compatibility issue. 2. It will not clock down ( All memory are back ward compatible, example PC400 - works as PC333--> as PC266--> ) because there is some sort of incompatibility. Check the chip config to be sure. 3. Shows up as half the value (1GB shows up as 512MB) - Here there are only two reason : Density is wrong/Not compatible with what you have OR Bios on Motherboard needs to be updated. Again, Don't worry we are here to help - so try what i suggested, and / or email me with what you have - SO please email us back at [email protected] which MOTHERBOARD or SYSTEM you are using it with. Thanks JESSICA" ........................................................................................................ My motherboard details: Motherboard: CPU Type AMD Athlon XP, 2000 MHz (15 x 133) 2400+ Motherboard Name ECS K7VMM+ (2 PCI, 1 AGP, 1 CNR, 2 SDR DIMM, 2 DDR DIMM, Audio, Video, LAN) Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8375 ProSavageDDR KM266 System Memory 768 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM) BIOS Type AMI (12/27/02) Communication Port Communications Port (COM1) Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1 BIOS Properties: Vendor American Megatrends Inc. Version 07.00T Release Date 04/02/01 Size 256 KB Boot Devices Floppy Disk, Hard Disk, CD-ROM, ATAPI ZIP, LS-120 Capabilities Flash BIOS, Shadow BIOS, Selectable Boot, EDD, BBS Supported Standards DMI, APM, ACPI, ESCD, PnP Expansion Capabilities ISA, PCI, AGP, USB [ Memory Modules / DIMM1 ] Memory Module Properties: Socket Designation DIMM1 Type DIMM, SDRAM Installed Size 512 MB Enabled Size 512 MB [ Memory Modules / DIMM2 ] Memory Module Properties: Socket Designation DIMM2 Type DIMM, SDRAM Installed Size 256 MB Enabled Size 256 MB ........................................................................................................ So, guys, what do you think? Is my motherboard incompatible with the 1GB stick that the seller sent? Any help would be welcomed. Thanks, David.
Well, the KM266 can support up to 4GB of RAM, and I would think it should support up to 1GB sticks, because it'd have to to support 4GB. If it had trouble with 4x 1GB, you'd likely see similar results with 2x 2GB, and that's assuming the chipset can handle modules of that size.
Yeah, I agree, Big Bro. I have even updated my BIOS, but it made no difference. I'm starting to think that it might be a density issue, as the 1GB RAM stick that I bought is high density - maybe my board can't take that kind of RAM? The board should be able to take 2GBs of 184 pin or 2GBS of 168 pin - the two can't be mixed, obviously. However, I was, and still am, ignorant as to whether my board can take both high and low density RAM.
consider using only a single stick ddr 400 1gb with a cas latency of 2.5 or 2 will make much more performance upgrade on the other hand samsung can't produce ram at good quality try to buy a corsair or kingston having a cooler on the stick if you have the chance to give the samsung stick back and don't use different frequancied rams it will decrease performance even if they don't make the pc crash. or if you gonna use the old one rather than selling in on second hand, try to find the new stick having the same cas latency
Update: Well, finally got it sorted. My motherboad cannot take 'High Density' RAM. I overlooked this, or rather didn't acknowledge it, when I ordered the RAM, and that's the reason why 'My Computer' in XP only read the 1GB stick as 512MB -half its true value! Oh well - live and learn, eh? I have sent the 1GB stick back to the sellers and they have agreed to exchange it for one that is compatible with my motherboard - I guess it will be 'low' density RAM. Apparently, HIGH density RAM costs less than LOW density. I guess this is because the former generally has less compatibility with the majority of older motherboards (like mine).
