Upgrade RAM = Problems

I just installed an additional 512 mb of ram into my Soltek SL-75DRV4 mother board (with VIA KT266A chipset). I also had two sticks of 256 mb already installed for a new total of 1024 mb. The ram is all DDR PC 2100 266mhz.

The problem is that now the computer spontaneously reboots, programs freeze, programs won't load etc etc. When I take out one of the 256 mb sticks it works fine so the new 512 mb ram is not the problem.

The board is supposed to be good for 3 gb of ram so I'm stumped. It there something I'm missing here?

I have windows xp, AMD XP 1800 CPU.

 

hmmm. maybe one of the slots are bad?

 

You might check the mobo documentation. Maybe there's a hardware limitation. Some boards don't allow all of the memory to be recognised at higher FSB speeds.

For example: the Asus A7V8X-X board (which uses a VIA KT400 chipset) provides three memory slots. Each DDR memory slot provides 2 banks of memory. You can populate all three slots with PC1600 or PC2100 DIMMs totalling up to 3GB.

But the manual contains this note: "PC2700 maximum to 4 banks only. PC3200 maximum to 2 banks only."

Is there an issue of this kind for your board?

 

This confuses me. "When I take out one of the 256 mb sticks it works fine so the new 512 mb ram is not the problem." Is one of the 256kb sticks faulty?

As an experiment might I suggest labelling your 512kb stick as "A", one of your 256KB sticks as "B", and the other 256 kb stick as "C".

Starting from position 1 in your memory bank, try loading RAM in sequence (A+B+C).

Bootup, write down what happens. Then try (A+C+B), Bootup, wrote down what happens.

Then (A+B), bootup, write down what happens, then (A+C), bootup and write it down.

Hope fully some pattern will arise. Let us know. Bazza

PS: Make sure you earth your hands on a metal part of the box, each time, you delve inside to remove/swop RAM over. Static discharge can blow electrical stuff. Baz

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Bump. Any results from my previous post? Just curious to know. Baz

 

Baz's idea has merit, but I'm afraid Rob M. is likely right or it just won't support three sticks even though there are three slots.

 

Try booting with each of the sticks individually... that way you can be sure that its not the modules that are at fault.

Then try with each combination. If you only have problems when youre using 3 slots, then it must be a mobo issue (perhaps undocumented)

 

...and hopefully you're not dealing with some weird conflict between the different DIMMs that prevents them from playing nicely together even though each works fine by itself or with one of the other two.

Just in case that's what it is, you might try dropping your FSB to 200MHz and see if they'll all work then. Sorry I didn't think to suggest that in my last post.

 

Are all the memory modules the same spec?
What speeds and CAS ratings are they?

Sounds like you have a conflict with memory modules. Normally the motherboard will automatically drop to the lowest speed detected.

Manually adjusting this in the BIOS may help solve your problem as suggested, also try the slowest (normally this highest values) settings for CAS and SPD etc in the BIOS if available.

KCL

 

Where are you, murrius? We'd all like to know what happened when you tried our various suggestions. Bazza

 

Stay tuned. I'm going to try all suggestions and report back. Work has been consuming all time and energy but expect to be able to get to it tomorrow night. Thanks all, I appreciate the replies!

 

Ok, here's what I did:

1) Checked the mobo documentation. All it says is "Supporting memory size up to 3 GB, Supporting 184 pin DDR SDRAM type only, Supporting PC1600 and PC 2100 DDR SDRAM". I think you may be right, that PC 1600 is maximum to 4 banks only even though it doesn't seem to be documented.

2) I tried placing the RAM sticks in different combinations. Every combination that had all 1023 mb ended in crashes, program freezes, and restarts. Every other combination works fine, including booting with only one of the Ram sticks in.

3) All memory modules are PC 2100 266 mhz cas 2.5. One is 512 mb and the other two are 256 mb.

4) Tried adjusting the BIOS to slowest setting without success. However, couldn't figure out how to drop the FSB to 200 MHz.....

Machine hums along just fine with 767 mb of PC 2100. I suspect it is a mobo issue unless anyone has any other ideas. Thanks, by the way, I really appreciated the ideas!

 

Thanks for letting us know of the results. We all learn something that way.

Rob M.

 

Hi
I've had the same problem, i installed an extra 512 of DDR PC 2100 266MHZ and got your problems even when the motherboard can take 2 gig, have found out from the microsoft web site that windows me is unstable over 767 mb of ram!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Ah. We never asked what OS murrius has. Win 9x is unstable over 767, yes, it was one of the reasons I jumped over to XP so quick.

I think the context threw us a bit on this one.

 

His original post says that he has XP. It is at the very bottom.

 

Murrius, Glad you reached some sort of a conclusion. It looks like you are stuck with using 2 sticks of RAM. You may be able to use 2 x 512 to get 1024mb (1 gig) but I think you may be better off springing for a new motherboard if finances permit. Obviously, if you go that route, make sure all your RAM is compatible and that the new mobo will operate on 1 x 512 and 2 x 256 at least. If you are happy with 512 + 256, then save your money . Regards. Bazza

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