RAM problem

[scottyjohn]

Hi Guys,
I have an old PC with Gigabyte motherboard, PIII 733mhz, 6m mb pc133 RAM, running W2kpro.
I bought a PC133 256 MB Ram chip today and got it home and installed the chip in the second slot next to my 64mb.
I booted up and it gave a POST error stating the memory config couldnt be loaded. It let me escape past this and the sys booted as normal. I opened up and removed the 64mb chip and left the 256, and it just beeps and hangs when started.
I took the chip back to the store and the guy said its a compatibility thing because some mobos dont like double sided RAM. This is the first time ive heard of this. He gave me another type of chip, still pc133, but its the same. Is there anything I can do as Im stumped.

John
ski_69@hotmail.com

 

[muthabored]

The 64MB PC133 stick that you have in it..is IT double-sided?

 

[SESaskDFC]

Howdy Scotty:

First, have to ask the obvious.. Can your motherboard handle a 256 chip?? Some limit out at 128.

Lastly, try putting the largest chip closest to the processor.

Murray

 

[scottyjohn]

No the stick thats in it is single sided. Ive tried the new one in both slots with the same result. Would a BIOS update cure this or is it a hardware limitation? The manual for the mobo states that it can handle sticks up to 256 meg.

John
ski_69@hotmail.com

 

[mainegeek]

Hello Scotty,
Try re-seating the 256mb stick again bu itself in the 1st slot. Make sure it is in all the way until it clicks. If you get the error again at Post, then enter cmos setup, exit and save. If you still get problems you could try clearing the cmos by removing the battery for a minute or so. Also make sure you haven't slightly unseated any cards
or cables accidently.

 

[Bobg1]

Are you sure it says it can handle sticks up to 256mb
Or does it say it can handle up to 256mb, in which case it would use 2 x 128mb?

 

[scottyjohn]

The manual states as follows

DRAM Memory - 2 banks 168 pins DIMM module sockets on board
- Use 16/32/64/128/256MB DIMM module DRAM
- Supports PC-100 SDRAM 16MB-512MB

This has confused me slightly as the current chip (64mb) is pc133. So im kinda lost as the sheet above would tend to indicate that it only supports pc100?
Ive had the new chip in both slots and it wont even get to the point where I can see the BIOS loading, it just makes multiple beeps when powered on.

John
ski_69@hotmail.com

 

[muthabored]

scottyjohn:

You said that when the first one didn't work that you took it back and the guy gave you another type of chip? Was it the same brand (Kingston, K-Byte, PNY, Crucial)? I've seen it where certain MOBOs simply do not like certain brands of RAM. I recently worked on a Gateway PC (small form factor) and they (the person that the PC belongs to) wanted to go from 128 to 256 but no matter what sort of memory I put in it, the PC would only work with what was already in it.

 

[scottyjohn]

The guys at the shop seemed to think that it may be as you said so they gave me another unbranded stick, still double sided though. They both had the same effect. So do you rhink im as well giving up the ghost?

John
ski_69@hotmail.com

 

[ANFPS26]

"Supports PC-100 SDRAM 16MB-512MB"
There's the rub! The new RAM is probably not backwards compatable. I understand some manufacturers no longer make PC-133 that will run as PC-100. You probably need to buy PC-100 RAM.

Jim

 

[dpw1432]

have your existing memory tested to see what it is. Better Technology Here does it for free. 603-431-4700. SDram can be the following 3.3 or 5v, registered, ecc or both, single or doublesided, pc133/100/66 not to mention speed.

 

[mainegeek]

Hello DPW1432,
This forim is Global so the PC Shop that you keep plugging is unreachable by most.

 

[scottyjohn]

I have now tried a pc100 double-sided stick which doesnt work either, so I think it is indeed down to the double sided thing. Cant seem to find a single sided stick anywhere, ill just need to ask around or buy a new mobo!

John
ski_69@hotmail.com