RAM not working any ideas?

B

Badcrusader

Geek Trainee
I'll try to give you all the info I have. I have 2 slots for RAM in my motherboard. Not sure what kind of motherboard I have or it's specifications. I looked at the 2 x 256MB RAM I already had to find out it was DDR -- One says PC2700 (other doesn't say anything.) I think ok, any DDR RAM should be ok right? Well I ordered 2 x 512MB RAM. It is HP DDR PC1600 and when I put it in, it doesn't work. Computer won't even start. I put the old RAM in and it goes fine. I really need the upgrade and hope I didn't blow my cash on this doing something stupid. Any help would be greatly appreciated thank you.
 
It probably doesnt work because you have replaced PC2700 RAM with PC1600.

Your new PC1600 will only work at 100mhz whereas your old PC2700 works at 166mhz.

If you want to stick to the PC1600 you might be able to change the RAM speed in BIOS from 166mhz down to 100mhz. I dont know which will have better performance though, you might be best off with 512mbs of PC2700 providing you dont play games.
 
Zeus is on the right track. If your specs require PC2100 or PC2700, then PC1600 is too slow and very likely can't overclock to either speed.

What's the specs of your current system?
 
I'm not too computer Savvy I don't really know what you mean by my specs. But my guess is it has something to do with the PC1600 not going with my computer, is there any way I can find out about what PC---- I need? I do not have the box my motherboard came in and already tried to figure it out that way to no avail.
 
Well, what PC did you buy? HP, Dell, Gateway? And then what specific model do you have?
 
I've recently had problems with my RAM too. I found out that one of the slots on my motherboard wasn't working properly and if i only used the one that was working then the computer would load ok. I dunno if you are having this problem too but you could try just using one of the slots to see if that is the problem.

I think Zeus was probably right but if you haven't already you can try this to see if it makes a difference.
 
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