Added RAM, now monitor doesn't work

Hello. I'm not sure if this is the proper section of the forums to ask for help, but here goes.

I recently attempted to upgrade my RAM from 256 to 1 gig. After adding the sticks, the monitor wouldn't boot up. The PC starts, fans kick in and all sounds normal, but the monitor goes into power saving mode.

The new sticks are 512 DDR SDRAM 266. The old stick was 256 DDR. The board specifications are here: http://community.spiceworks.com/product/4922-micro-star-international-ms-7142?tab=description

It lists the motherboard as being capable of handling up to 2 gig DDR SDRAM.


Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

It sounds like the PC itself is having an issue recognizing or working with the new sticks of RAM.

First, pull out the new RAM and put back in the original memory. If the PC starts up properly, the new RAM is either defective or incompatible.

"Incompatible" doesn't necessarily mean you purchased the wrong type of RAM - in this case, it means the brand and/or model of RAM doesn't play nice with your particular motherboard.

Please post back with the brand of RAM you purchased and we'll try to come up with some ideas.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the quick reply!

The brand is Infineon - PC2100R-20330-CO

Edit: I did resort back to the original RAM, which now that I think about it was a stick of 256 and 128. All started up again and everything works as it originally did.

 

Try starting the machine with just the one 512meg bar at a time, you may have a faulty bar.

 

If plodr's tip doesn't work, I would try taking the memory to the place you bought it for a refund or exchange.

On an older system like yours, it's doubtful the approved vendor list (specific memory makes and models that have been tested to work on your board) on the board's website will be up to date. Given this, I would recommend buying Crucial brand memory - nothing is foolproof; however I've had the least amount of issues like yours using Crucial versus other brands. Just remember to buy it from a retailer who has a decent return/exchange policy if it doesn't work in your system.

 

I just took a look at the data sheet for that memory and it probably won't work in that motherboard as it's ECC (Error Correcting Code) memory.
You will need non-ECC for that board.

 

Thank you, gentlemen. You have been very helpful.


voodoo3rd, for future reference, where would I find the ECC information when choosing particular memory.

 

Just search on the model number of the memory you can often find the data sheet like the one for that memory-
http://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/135899/INFINEON/PC2100R-20330-C.html

If your buying off ebay and the number is not listed just ask the seller for the model number.