Added RAM - a few issues

I have an old computer of mine that I'm rebuilding for a friend in dire need of a PC. So today I did a destructive recovery and everything is working great!

I wanted to add more RAM to it though (it only had 512mb). I found some old RAM cards hanging around here and there that fit and a ran into a couple issues. I ended up adding two more 512 cards. When I had both cards in and I try to boot the computer, I get as far as the black screen with the Compaq logo, etc, and it freezes. There are also white dots moving all across the screen.

So I pulled one of the cards out and tried again. It worked for about 30 seconds after I logged in and I got the fatal error screen and the error was something about "Bad_Pool_Header" (what ever that means...?). I rebooted per the screen instructions and this time it worked for about 5 minutes before it rebooted itself on the crash (same error). It froze during the reboot at the Compaq logo again with the white dots all over the screen.

So I swapped the "new" card with the other one I tried to add. This time, the computer didn't get very far in booting and made a single, slightly drawn out beep, followed by a 2 or 3 second pause, and it did it again. I'm guessing the beep is some sort of code for a specific type of error? If anyone can tell me what that means/what causes it I'd appreciate it.

I've pretty much reserved myself to the fact that both these cards are no good but I'm still curious what these mean. Any help is appreciated!

 

Post all info you can see on the labels on all your memory sticks. Specify which ones are the good ones and which ones give you problems. Knowing which one of the Compaq computers you have would also be helpful.

Oh, and the "bad pool header" error means there's something wrong with Windows memory allocations, most often a driver. If it happens again, try to get the full error, especially if it points to a file. The beep codes are indeed error messages and means something is wrong with your hardware, but without the Compaq beep code list I can't tell you exactly what. It's reasonable to assume it's a RAM error though.

 

Card 1: (the original card that came with the computer)
Infineon
HYS64D 32300 HU-5-C C3V52841125

256MB, DDR, 400, CL3 PC3200U - 30330 - A0


Card 2: (an additional card I added shortly after getting the computer)
Nanya
NT256D64S88AAG - 7K
256MB DDR - 266MHz - CL2
PC2100U - 20330
0235.K968653


Card 3: (one of my "new" ones - has 2 labels)
The label on the left says:
PC2700U - 25331 - Z
512MB DDR PC2700 CL2.5
M368L6523DUS - CB3 0818

Label on the right says:
Crucial
BL11172.MR
CT6464Z335.K8TKY
512MB 184-PIN UNBUFF DIMM 64Mx
200823 SS


Card 4: (the other "new" one)
Nanya
NT512D64S8HAAG - 7K
512MB DDR - 266MHz - CL2
PC2100U - 20330
0235.K968659


The first 2 cards I have used in the computer before and they work fine.

Card 3 gives me the "Bad_Pool_Header" error message. That is all it gives me as far as error information. I get the blue fatal error screen with directions on rebooting, using safe mode to fix issues, etc. All it has for error info is "Bad_Pool_Header" near the top.

Card 4 causes that single beep. I'm going to try to find that list you mentioned. If I can't I think I'll try to contact someone at Compaq to see if they'll tell me what it means.

When I use card 3 and 4 together it freezes at the Compaq screen with those white dots everywhere. Card 3 alone also causes that issue when it reboots itself.

My computer model is: Compaq Presario SR1610NX

 

The computer does behave as if there is something wrong with 3 and 4. I found this: http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/compaqbeep.htm According to that list, a single long beep means "bad RAM" and they suggest replacing it.

You can get the Crucial one replaced easily, they do life-time warranty on their stuff and your expense is usually only the cost of shipping them the bad part. Beats paying $30-something for a new module.

Nanya only gives warranty coverage to companies who buy it directly from them (Like Elpida or Micron), so I don't think there's much that can be done there.

 

It would seem that you're just asking for trouble when mixing memory clock speeds...yes, I know that supposedly they will work together, albeit at the lowest common speed, but when I see numbers like PC2100, PC2700, PC3200, DDR 266, DDR 400 all in the same machine, I know that I get confused...

And maybe the computer's getting confused, too...

 

So basically my only option is to replace the cards with new ones? I figured as much... I may just leave it with the 512MB, or simply buy a whole new kit. My friend doesn't know he's getting this (it's going to be a christmas present) and since I already had it if I end up spending $40 on a 1GB ram kit, so be it.

I know, I was a little concerned about mixing the clock speeds but I didn't think it would have been much of an issue since I had already done it once and it worked fine. Apparently I was wrong. rolleyes

 

Yeah, I've done the same through the years: PC-100s alongside PC-133s, the whole gamut...sometimes good, sometimes not so good...

A matched pair of high-speed 512s, or even a single 1 gig stick, would be a pretty good Xmas present, in my book...

Good luck!

 

Mixing speeds are occasionally issues in servers, but shouldn't be a problem in that Compaq. That's not why it's not working.

It used to be an issue with PC100 and PC133, but that was partially caused by some of those systems being built before the JEDEC standard was established. There's also the issue of the technology still being so new back then that, well, people basically didn't know how to program in the right kinds of flexibility and adaptability in the BIOS. Since you used to be able to mix speeds in that system, you should be able to continue doing it going forward.

 

Alright, I guess the RAM is just bad then. Like I said, I may buy a 1GB kit, or I may just leave it at 512MB. My friend only needs it for basic stuff and some light games (you know, like from Big Fish or Real Arcade, etc.) so I don't think having more RAM will make much difference for him.

Thanks for everyone's help!

 

If you're stopping at 512MB, a few suggestions if I may?

512MB is barely enough to run Windows XP, so if you plan to use that operating system, make sure you trim away all unnecessary services and parts of the OS, and install a lightweight firewall and anti-virus. The people in the software forum can help you out with that if you have questions. Good luck!

 

I'll take that into consideration. Thanks for everything!