Does the motherboard or OS determine max RAM?

Discussion in 'CPU, Motherboards and Memory' started by Lupine, Nov 23, 2004.

  1. Lupine

    Lupine Geek Trainee

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    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.
     
  2. Big B

    Big B HWF Godfather

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    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.
     
  3. Lupine

    Lupine Geek Trainee

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    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.
     
  4. Lupine

    Lupine Geek Trainee

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    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 :good:
     

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