Memory Problem

I am sorting out a computer for a friend and have come across a problem that I can't figure out. It is a bit complicated to explain but will try my best.

This pc is showing 256Mb Ram but it actually has 512Mb installed. Two of the memory strips were in the computer when it was bought and another two were added just over a year ago. I will call them set A: the originals, and set B: the newest ones. They are all PC800 128Mb strips.

Trying to see if they were all working ok, I took set A out and started up. The pc gave its usual beep but didn't load windows. I tried putting them in the other pair of slots and the same thing happened.

I then tried taking them out and putting in set B. The pc gave one long continous beep and I had to shut down. I tried them in the other slots and the same thing happened.

The machine will only work when all four strips are in together but as I already mentioned, only 256Mb ram are showing!!! I am really stumped as I thought that if two strips were faulty then the machine would show problems?

I can't tell you what motherboard it is as there is nothing on it to tell me.. All I can tell you is that it is a Medion computer bought about 4 years ago. It runs ok and is quite suitable for the friend who is going to get it as she only plays card games and surfs the net and sends e-mails.

Has anyone come across this problem or have any idea what I could try.

Would be really grateful for your help..

 

Hi Salamander
Please go to http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html and download Belarc Advisor run it and get back with info it will provide ie: motherboard manufacturer etc.
Dr.D

 

Hi Dr.D,
thanks, have downloaded it and will connect up my friends pc and run it. I will let you know what it comes up with. I used to have this prog on my old computer and didn't think about it... what a plonker!!! Will get back to you soon.

 

Having run Belarac Advisor here is what it says...
Motherboard: Micro-Star Internation Co. Ltd. MS-6385
Processor: 1.67Ghz Intel Pentium 4 8Kb primary memory cache 256Kb secondary memory cache.
Memory: 256Mb
Hard Drive: Maxtor 6Y080P0 80Gb
Optical Drive: NEC DVD ND-3500AG

Does this help??

 

Were the memory modules single sided or double sided. That is did they have chips on one or both sides?
Each side is called a strip and some motherboards only recognise one strip per module and ignore the second strip on double sided modules.

studio T

 

256 showing and it wont run without all RAM Installed?

Try Diagnosing the problem, by taking one stick out at a time...

The Actual RAM or Slots may be stuffed...

Are you running 256 on board graphics (Highly Unlikely) as that will consume 256 and cause the BIOS boot to display only 256...

Have you checked the BIOS settings on RAM Modules?

If you are running On-Board graphics, that would explain why the computer will not boot without the needed RAM installed and would explain why only 256 is showing...

One long beep is graphics, or RAM... SO that may narrow it down for you...

Try taking out one stick, and if it only displays 128, then it is your dedicated graphics... Or another On-Board device...
Or if it wont boot after taking out one stick, you have 256 On-Board graphics and one RAM is stuffed

 

Hi Studio T,
all four modules are single sided.

As for PC Place, the graphics card is a Geforce 2. There is no on-board graphics.

I will try what you said and remove one strip at a time. Will let you know the outcome a little later.

Thanks all for your help.

 

Hi, I have just downloaded and read the motherboard manual. These memory modules are Rimm and need to be in pairs. It says you can install two modules but then you must install the two dummy modules that came with the motherboard (which I don't have). It tells me which slots to put them in and if dummy's are used they go in the second pair of slots. I am going to try just moving them around and see what happens. Will let you know.

 

Aha read the mauual. What a novel idea.
RAMBUS (RIMM) are different not only because they are expensive but because they are serial, which is why you need the 'dummy' links to complete the circuit or data path, if you don't have real modules. All the installed memory should show up though. How do you know what value they are?

Goto

www.lavalys.com

and download everest (free trial)

This will tell you all you could ever want to know about the each memory module. you might even like the program.

Studio T

 

just found out you can get everest from major geeks!

see

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=116123

 

As soon as I saw the RAM was PC800, I knew we were dealing with RAMBUS memory. It's been my experience that RAMBUS memory is very finicky and hard to work with. Your 2 sticks (set B) may be good, but just not compatible in your particular setup. They act as the dummy links but don't work as valid RAM. I've seen this before with RAMBUS. They may work fine in a different PC. I'll say it again: RAMBUS is hard to work with and that's why it's not used anymore.... yeah- I know this doesn't help, but it may be time for an upgrade to some newer technology sorry....

hopperdave2000

 

Ok peeps... here goes... DON'T LAUGH!!!!

I read the manual as I have mentioned and then went and had another look at the modules.... yes... you guessed it... two of the modules were dummies... which is what I feel like now!!!

I was so busy looking at the pairs of memory and trying to figure out what was wrong... I just didn't look closely enough AT the modules themselves. Duh!!! Do I feel an idiot.. lol

In my defence, I have never heard of 'dummy modules' so it never entered my head to look for anything strange... but I really should have noticed that two modules had NO chips on them!!! I guess the phrase 'can't see the wood for the trees' applies here. When I told my son-in-law, he fell about laughing.

The person who owned the machine before told me he had purchased memory for it a year ago... when I tackled him about it, he said 'Oh, must have been my other machine'!!! I could have hit him. lol

So, now you have all had a good laugh at this silly old moo, I will say cheerio for now... until I hit another problem!! I will certainly mark this one up to experience. I guess this is how I have learnt as much about computers as I have. Nothing like a silly mistake to make you double check things is there!!

I have ordered some more memory for this machine now. So hopefully it will give my friend a good few years of playing Solitaire.

Anyway, thanks so much for all your help. It is much appreciated. rolleyes