Memory amount not being read correctly?

Discussion in 'Software' started by SWario, May 28, 2007.

  1. SWario

    SWario Sergeant

    History
    I've been trying to optimize my mom's computer to get it to last her a little bit longer, and during the course of this, I changed the environment variable PATH from one directory to three directories (DOS commands weren't able to be accessed), attempted to add some more RAM (the machine wouldn't boot with the new module in Slot 1, and when it was in Slot 2, Windows wouldn't recognize it, while Everest Home/Free Edition did see the module), and removed some unused network adapters (ones from AOL).

    Problem
    The computer ran just fine for a while, just after tried to install the RAM. She complained that the computer was running slower than usual. This seems odd since after the memory failed to work, I simply inserted the old RAM modules back into the same slots they were in before. Today, the network card stopped working properly, producing strange IP addresses and subnet numbers; it also wouldn't light up to indicate a connection to the network, and our router does not recognize the computer as being connected. However, I can successfully ping 127.0.0.1 on her computer. The router is functioning fine since my sister and I are both connected to it with no issues.

    I have a few questions then. What, if any, of the things that I did (as described above) could cause a system slowdown or a network card failure, or should I begin the usual Malware cleaning procedures and see where that leads me? Also, I ran the "mem" command in DOS earlier, and got a strange result. It listed the system's Extended Memory at a Total of 65,535K and that 259,788K of that was free. It also would not display how much was Extended Memory was used. Can anyone make sense of that? I'll attach the output of the program for perusal.

    Computer Info
    OS: Windows ME
    Installed RAM: 256 MB (2 128 MB modules)
     

    Attached Files:

  2. SWario

    SWario Sergeant

    Um, bump? Does anyone have any idea what's going on here? :cry
     
  3. studiot

    studiot MajorGeek

    Not without a more detailed description of the equipment involved. You are obviously very familiar with it and have left much unsaid. Perhaps post an everest log?

    Also I am not clear what problem occurred when. please clarify.

    Studio T
     
  4. SWario

    SWario Sergeant

    OEM Info:
    IBM Netvista 2276-CTO
    Windows ME
    Intel Pentium III 800MHz
    128MB RAM (1 module in Slot 1, Slot 2 was empty)

    Since as long as I can remember her owning the computer, performing a "Start > Run > 'command'" would produce a DOS window with the line "Bad command or filename" displaying first before the prompt "C:\>". After doing some testing and research, I also realized that I could not use many commands (ipconfig, for example) within DOS without being in the WINDOWS directory (C:\WINDOWS). This brought me to notice that the DOS Environment Variable "PATH" was set to "C:\IBMTOOLS" as a result of IBM's factory settings. I changed the entry in "C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT" to set PATH to "C:\IBMTOOLS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND" so that I could now execute commands freely within the DOS environment.

    After this, I followed some advice from a DOS guide and also added "LH DOSKEY.COM /BUFSIZE=1024 /INSERT" to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file since Windows ME was not allowing me to recall previously used DOS commands as it is "supposed to". This provided me with the functionality that I desired, and did not seem to cause any problems.

    I bought a 128MB SDRAM module from Crucial after using their Memory Advisor Tool, and I installed it, and it worked fine. Both Crucial and Everest say that the motherboard will support a maximum of 512MB of RAM, while the PC's documentation doesn't state a maximum. I later purchased a 512MB SDRAM module from NewEgg. When I tried to install it in Slot 2 (replacing the recently bought 128MB module), Windows reported that the system only had 128MB of RAM. Running an Everest scan identified the module as being installed, but I think that it showed it as being a 128MB module instead of a 512MB module. When I tried to install it in Slot 1 alone, the system produced a black DOS-like screen with only a blinking cursor present. I restored the system to the configuration I had been using before the 512MB module arrived.

    Somewhere around this time, the network card failed to obtain a correct IP address from our router. I replaced the card with one that was previously used in the computer. This solved the problem with the IP address.

    Now, back to my original questions. While I am fairly confident that nothing I did could cause the computer to run slower than it had been or cause a network card to fail, I wanted to check with people other than myself for their opinions/thoughts. Additionally, I wanted to know if anyone could think of a reason for the abnormal output of the DOS command "mem" as listed in my initial post. Since an Everest log was requested, I am attaching that as well.

    Sorry for all the detail! I may have gotten a bit carried away. :D
     

    Attached Files:

  5. SWario

    SWario Sergeant

    Well, it's been quite some time since the last post in this thread, so I'm bumping. The problem has become pretty much unimportant by this time, but I am still interested in opinions/analyses of others to see if I can understand why it happened in the first place.
     
  6. MickeyRoush

    MickeyRoush Specialist

    I'd like to chime in. I don't have much experience with ME but I do with IBM motherboards. So here's my .02 if it helps. :(:eek:

    Did you use SIW to check the maximum memory module size?
    Located under selection: Motherboard.

    I believe it's 256MB per slot for this motherboard. For a max total of 512MB. :eek:
     
  7. studiot

    studiot MajorGeek

    Thanks Mickey, that's the point of the forums - to pool knowledge. You obviously know more about IBM boards than I do.
    It also shows the value of posting plenty of system information.

    ;)
     
  8. MickeyRoush

    MickeyRoush Specialist

    Oh yeah, I'd like to chime in more, but like everyone it's usually easier to help people when it's an issue that I've fixed before.

    The last company I worked for valued IBM hardware. Especially because they were using ISeries equipment with AS400 stuff. In fact my IBM A Series laptop that I'm using right now is around 7 years old and probably just as good or better then what most people are using now because of my work done on it.

    And with IBM Software Installer (now System Update 3) (kind of like windows updates but for IBM hardware/software) it's so easy to update bios, drivers, etc. It searches for itself.

    And the user with this issue may want to try using the Software Installer (now System Update 3) for their issue.

    http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=soft-update
     
  9. SWario

    SWario Sergeant


    What's SIW? Everytime I tried to look up this computer's motherboard, I ended up with invalid information (using Everest, AIDA, Google, and AMI's motherboard id program). I did manage to find the computer's documentation, but it provided information that conflicted with Crucial's (and your) information.

    The manual does not mention a maximum amount of memory, but that statement suggests that it is a mere 256 MB. That can't be all, can it?
     
  10. MickeyRoush

    MickeyRoush Specialist

    Oh sorry. SIW here at MG
    http://majorgeeks.com/SIW_System_Info_d4387.html

    It should tell you exactly what the max per slot is and total max memory capable. (select 'Motherboard' option)

    Yes, that motherboard is many years old. And it may be only 256MB. But from what I can remember it can handle 512MB (your setup may be a bit different). Strange thing about IBMs too, they will sometimes work with the incorrect RAM for awhile then start to have issues. :(
     

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