Memory works in only one system?

[louGrinzo]

I've run into a really odd little problem with some memory modules.

I was retiring an old IBM ThinkCentre system, when I noticed that it uses the same memory as a newer system I have from E-Machines (PC3200 DDR SDRAM). Since the IBM system had 2x1GB modules, I decided to try moving them into the E-Machines box to replace its 1GB of RAM. When I do this, the memory shows up fine in the E-Machines box's BIOS, but WinXP will only partially boot. It gets to the all-blue "Windows is start up..." screen and hangs solid.

This memory works fine in the IBM system, and I checked the specs for the systems and the labeling on the chips, and everything should work as I had hoped. I took out the memory, cleaned the contacts, and tried again, paying particular attention to module seating--no luck. I put the memory back into the IBM box, and it works fine.

I'm stumped. Suggestions, anyone?

 

[wahnula]

It sounds like incompatible RAM. Have you tried booting into Safe Mode? What is the exact model of the Emachines box?

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[louGrinzo]

I don't see how it can be incompatible--everything I can find says that both systems use the same memory (PC3200 DDR) and that the E-Machines system (model T3306) can handle up to 2GB of memory. Since it has only two memory slots, that means 2x1GB modules, which is what I'm trying to plug in.

Here's an example of the specs and memory modules I keep finding on this box:

http://www.memorystock.com/memory/eMachineseMachinesT3306.html

 

[wahnula]

Searching for your part number led to a memory seller that specified

"128x64-400MHz DDR400 PC3200, 184p DIMM, 2.5v, Sync, CL=3.0"

There's a lot of numbers there to match up, of course pin number, speed, and type are usually pretty clear. What is not is density, the "128x64" part. See this link that discusses memory density

There are more factors involved than just "PC3200 DDR".



Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[louGrinzo]

The modules in question are indeed low density.

The thing that puzzles me the most about this situation is that clearly the memory works "a little"--there's no way Windows could boot as far as it does without using RAM, and knowing Windows, quite a lot of RAM.

I checked through the BIOS settings to see if I could find anything that would interfere with the address space, and came up with nothing. I have the AGP and VGA memory windows turned down as far as they'll go, after initially trying with them at their factory default settings.

I've been using and building systems for a very long time, starting with an Apple II, before the first IBM PC was introduced, and this one has stumped me. I'll keep fiddling around with it in the hope that someone here figures it out or I have my own eureka moment.

 

[wahnula]

Have you tried one stick at a time? You also need to think about what your time is worth, 2Gb of PC 3200 DDR is around $30.

I had one PC3200 module that would not work on any other rigs except the one it came with...I chalked it up to ESD and placed it in the circular file.

Have you tried running memtest 186 on it?

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[louGrinzo]

I'll try one stick later today and see what happens, but because of other time commitments I'm quickly coming to the point of giving up and running the box with the original 1GB of RAM and using the mystery modules as Xmas tree ornaments.

 

[wahnula]

...and using the mystery modules as Xmas tree ornaments.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[SimonDavies]

Why not try using a memory checker?

http://www.memtest.org/

would be where I started out.

Simon

The real world is not about exam scores, it's about ability.

 

[louGrinzo]

The memory is OK. I put one of the 1GB modules and one of the 1/2GB modules in the system, and it works fine. I then replaced the 1GB module with the other 1GB module, and everything still worked. I tried two 1GB modules, one last time, and it hangs on boot, as I described at the beginning of this thread.

My conclusion is that one of two things is true:

1. The online specs on this system are wrong and it can't take 2GB of RAM. It works fine with 1.5GB, but hangs with two.

2. There's some BIOS setting that I could tweak to resolve an address space conflict that would then allow 2GB of memory to be used. I've looked through the BIOS setting several times, and I can't find anything that looks like a candidate (aside from minimizing the graphics card shared memory, which I've done).

The system is usable for my purposes with 1.5GB of RAM, so I'll probably throw in the towel at this point and write it off as yet another mystery of the universe.

 

[SimonDavies]

Ok but if the memtest runs with 2gb of ram then surely that would point at an issue with the installation of the OS instead?

One thing for you, I recently got some ram for my wifes laptop (it takes full size dimms), it was the same spec as was already in her laptop, just a larger size. Anyway, within 30 - 50 seconds of powering on the laptop it would always freeze up, whether it was in the BIOS or OS. Turns out that it didn't like the particular brand of ram because when I ordered some other brand it worked a treat. Like you if I mixed it around it worked just fine but if I tried to use the full 2gb it failed (but it failed on memtest as well).

Simon

The real world is not about exam scores, it's about ability.

 

[paparazi]

Every now and again you just get one! and unfortunately you just have to accept that...for know logical reason the eMachines system just doesn't like your IBM's memory. I've just had a similar customer upgrade senario with a Fujitsu Siemens laptop, where I tried 4 different PC4200 Samsung modules. It got so anal I was ordering modules on chip number (the same as the known good original)and still it was playing up...and this was just 2 X 512 is Vista.
But there you go....customer had a re-install but not his memory upgrade and sadly I had to let him have his laptop back with just the original 512 module running Vista arrrrr!
Martin

On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep