I just bought 512 MB of PC2700 DDR RAM, and installed it in the same slot as the old DIMM was, and this old 256 MB one in the other slot. Read on, please.

I tried it and got a stop error message just when the Windows loading screen is supposed to appear. I followed the stop error messages' advice of disabling in the BIOS shadowing and/or the other one, but I couldn't find it in the BIOS. After a while of unsuccessful attempts (except that time where Windows got to checking the HD for errors after so many reboots from the errors, but it gave a stop error right after finishing), I decided to take out the 256 MB DIMM. This time, it never even got to the boot screen or stop error, but froze in the middle of the BIOS thing (but after the time you can access the CMOS), so restarted and checked the BIOS (I saw a setting that seemed out of place about USB Legacy support (seemed that it should be enabled by the description of it, since I use a USB mouse). Gah, I probably just changed it by mistake). Still nothing.

So I go and reinstall the old RAM [b]without the new one[/b], and voilà, it works. Didn't change the BIOS settings or anything after doing that. I'm using the computer I want to add RAM to right now.

I'm sorry if the answer is quite obvious to any of you experts, but I'm new at installing hardware. I just know about the hardware and installing it into the computer (except processor), I don't know how to resolve problems or such, or about configuration needed to be done.

Should I return this RAM, or is there something I overlooked or forgot to do?

BTW, this is "Azenram" brand RAM. I bought it since it was on sale for their after-Christmas sale. Could the problem lie within the manufacturer? I guess I could pay the extra $30 CAD for Kingston...

Laogeodritt

You need to read the documentation for your Motherboard. There can be many reasons the memory didn't work. If your system is capable of dual channel and you have incompatible RAM you may be able to use it simply by moving it to a different slot. The module may be incompatible because of chip density of beacuse it is the wrong type. If this RAM won't work when inserted all by itself then I would say it is incompatible.

What kind of motherboard do you have?
It sounds like you have an incompatibility problem with your old Ram. Why haven't you considered using Ram that matches the FSB of your processors?

DDR 2 - 533MHz PC4200 (240 Pin)

Using PC 2700 is only giving you 333MHZ FSB Bandwith. DDR2 (533 MHZ) will give you much better results.

Raymond Mackie
Technical Support Mgr.
rmackie@microtailors.com
www.microtailors.com
"Custom computers and prices tailored to fit you"

Er... this computer was bought already made and it came with no documentation for the hardware.

I just bought the computer six months ago.

I do know, however, that I have a Gigabyte motherboard with the 661FX chipset (or FX661, forgot which way it was written).

My current RAM is 256 MB of PC2700 DDR memory, and the new one is 512 MB of PC2700 DDR. I expect the motherboard would accept at least 512 MB, eh?

Hrm... how could it be incompatible?
Could it be defective?

Laogeodritt

<hr>
"What kind of motherboard do you have?
It sounds like you have an incompatibility problem with your old Ram. Why haven't you considered using Ram that matches the FSB of your processors?

DDR 2 - 533MHz PC4200 (240 Pin)

Using PC 2700 is only giving you 333MHZ FSB Bandwith. DDR2 (533 MHZ) will give you much better results."
<hr>

See my above post for the motherboard.

Firstly, I'm not even sure if they had that in-store, and the RAM that came with the system is PC2700. If I were to use both in the system, it wouldn't boost performance since they must both run at the lower speed, IIRC.

And I tried using this RAM module by itself (in the same slot as where the old one was) and it got less far than it did with both in the boot process (never even finished the BIOS thing).

What kind of incompatability problem could have occured?

Anything else possible?

Laogeodritt

The problem is probably the density of the new module. Download a free utility called Everest Home edition. Run it and see what brand and model of MBoard you have. Then download a manual and read it. Find Everest here: http://www.lavalys.com/products/overview.php?pid=1&lang=en&pageid=1

Download memtest86...unzip it & create a bootable floppy. Boot off the floppy & run the diagnostics from DOS. 1st try one RAM stick, then the other, then both together. Experiment with different slots if necessary. If the following is your board, it only has 2 memory slots & doesn't appear to support dual channel mode:

http://www.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard/Products/Products_Spec_8S661FXM-RZ.htm

Asus A7N8X-X
1800+ @8x210mhz
512mb PC3200
Ti4200/8X 128mb
WDC 60GB

No, wrong mobo. Mine is a GA-8S661FXM-F according to the previously mentioned utility.

Laogeodritt

I just read through the PDF manual, and I still don't see why it doesn't work. Anyone? Help? Please?

I'm busy right now and can't run memtest (since I only have one computer excluding the Pentium 120 MHz one), but if anyone else has any suggestions, please post them.

Laogeodritt

I don't know how memtest is going to work on memory that you can't POST when it is inserted.

If by POST, you mean the beep at startup, then it does. With both DIMMs installed, it gets to the OS boot then I get a stop error.

With only the new 512 MB DIMM, it POSTs, but stops at the screen AFTER the one where you can press DEL to get to the CMOS.

Laogeodritt

I thought he was getting thru the post but locking as Windows loads?

Asus A7N8X-X
1800+ @8x210mhz
512mb PC3200
Ti4200/8X 128mb
WDC 60GB

I thought he was getting thru the post but locking as Windows loads?

Exactly. Right as the splash screen for Windows XP should load, I get a stop error.

I don't have time currently to run Memtest and only have one computer compatible with DDR RAM, so I can't test it till tomorrow.

Should I try exchanging it? Any other suggestions?

My mobo: http://tw.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard/Products/Products_GA-8S661FXM-F.htm

Laogeodritt

L

According to your manual you have two memory slots and they can handle up to 1GB modules. So density isn't the issue. I would say the memory is bad.

So that's not the problem? I consulted with a friend of mine (albeit a online friend, he still knows mroe than me about computers), and he agrees that it is most likely faulty memory, though he could not make a perfect diagnosis without being able to see the problem.

Gah, I'll exchange in in the morrow.

Laogeodritt