I wanted to upgrade the RAM in my Compaq Presario 7360 so I went to a local retailer and picked up a 256mb PC133 RAM module. When I put it in by itself, the computer checked the memory halfway and then went to a white screen with some dot patterns. When I put it in with the old memory, it checked the memory to 128 mb again and froze.

Thinking it was a problem with the RAM, I went back and picked up a 128mb PC133 SDRAM module. When I put it in, it had the exact same problem. A friend told me that his computer did the same thing because he was trying to put PC133 RAM into his computer that had a 66mhz FSB. He said that I could probably go into my BIOS and change the FSB setting to 100mhz so the computer would accept my RAM. However, my computer already had PC100 RAM in it, and the Compaq website specifically says that I can put PC133 RAM into it. Compaq's BIOS allows very few changes from the default, and because I am putting third party RAM into the computer Compaq won't even talk to me about it. I am very frustrated, and will take my RAM back again and get PC100 if I have to, but I really don't want to, and I'll throw my 40 pound paperweight through the HP building's front window before I pay $60-$80 plus for Compaq RAM. Can anybody help me?

A tech update came out recently stating that pc133 ram is no longer backwards compatable with a pc100 system. It had something to do with the manufacturing process. We got an update from pny and rkbyte about it. This could be the cause of the problem.

I have 2 128MB PC133 RAM sticks in my PC that runs at PC100 ! I purchased the RAM from a retailer and uts brand name is PNY ! At that time I was assured that the RAM had backwards compatability. The where correct , it worked without any prob. I have read many post from Compaq owners about problems when trying to upgrade any hardware with these computers .I believe Compaq has mae it so that you must purchase the upgrades thru them ! Correct me if Iam wrong ?Good Luck Nick

reread my post, we just got an update. Alot of the stock on hand still works fine, but new sticks(i.e. fresh from manu) could be the problem. Also compaqs, at least all the one i've seen in actual towers, have outsourced mobo's. One of mine, now long gone, had a gigabyte board.