I inherited an IBM Aptiva system [2153-E2N] with only 32MB of [PC-100] memory. I installed 128MB in the remaining slot, expecting the computer to "see" 160MB in total. But it only sees 92MB, apparently the original 32 plus HALF the new memory stick. Anyone know how to get this system to recognize all the available memory? Is there some balance I need to attain between the two emmory slots in order for this to be corrected? Unfortunately I don't have the user's manual. Thanks. Howard

Howard, this is a random shot in the dark, but way-y-y-y-y-y back in da' old memory I seem to remember something about those old BIOSs being able to only deal with a certain amount of memory; your unit goes back to the old DOS days when 32meg of RAM was roughly equivalent to 2 GIGs of ram today. Try to find which BIOS you have and do some researching on that. See if it can be upgraded (flashed) so that it recognizes your full amount. I am not sure if a flash for that BIOS is available anymore.

Hi This sounds like a common problem. Pc133 sdram often only registering as half of what it is. If you think all pc133 sdram should be backwards compatable - it just plain isn't. These pc133 just don't run at pc66 speeds. pc100 is backwards compatable though. And yes there is pc133 sdram that is truely backwards compatable. Solution get some pc100 128 M stick or truely backwards compatable pc133. Someone will mention single and double density chips, but that impacts more on data reliability and not a direct bearing on "population". "population" is a term to describe how the memory is laid out, and has an important role in how much memory a system can have. If you look up the sdram specs of your computer (buts its an ibm and anyone whos found how absolutely useless the IBM support site can be ...) - you may by very lucky. Hey try out this nice little program. You might have to google for another download site as this link has been unavailable for me the last few times I've referenced it. Look with google for ctsdp http://www.cpufsb.de/ctspd.htm

response #1 seems to have it right... here's a few more reasons/possibilities #1 i think the reason why it won't take all 128 is because they didnt have 128 meg sticks back when the computer was sold #2 computer can only recognize single sided sticks #3 computer can only recognize a max of 64 megs per memory slot, like it is said in the manuals (motherboard has 2 slots and the manual says 1 gig memory max, that means each slot can take a maximum of 512 megs) Abit NF7-s 2500+ @ 3200+ 512 Corsair XMS PC3200 128 meg Radeon 9800 Pro 2 X 36 GIG WD Raptors in RAID 0 3+ Mbps cable connection

Hi Single and double sided sdram sticks don't truely reflect what density chips are actually on them. A single sided stick may actually have high density chips. (sometimes called double density) And a Doubled sided stick could have low density chips (sometimes called single density by some) However if the stick of sdram works, it depends on the "population" Anyhow below is the first google search link I found. what memory