windows protection error...new memory

[Tybee]

I have got some new memory which when I install it causes the reboot to read "windows protection error". I then take out the new memory and reboot. I have got a mobo that takes PC133 and I have added PC133. I am going from 512mb to 1024mb. I there something I need to do for the board to see the added memory?

 

[cdogg]

What version of Windows are we talking about? Windows 9x/ME can see up to 2 gig, but only cache 320 megs effectively - the higher you go above that figure, the greater the risk.

Does the BIOS see the correct amount? If not, double-check to make sure your board supports 1 GB of RAM. Even some boards that supported PC133 were limited to 512 MB.


* If you're running Windows 9x/ME, you don't really need more than 256 MB and definitely not more than 512 MB

 

[cdogg]

Also make sure you're not mixing ECC memory with non-ECC memory...

 

[Tybee]

cdogg, I am running Win 98. My mobo, ASUS A7V133, is able to use 1.5 gig memory. Wouldn't I have to put the memory in before it could read more than 512mb? Not sure about the ECC or Non-ECC; just how would i check? Is it on the module?
Any real chance that the new module could be defective?Thanks for your help. I'm learning a lot from you and others on this site....incredible reference source!

 

[cdogg]

There's always the chance that a memory module can become defective. Are we working with 2,3, or 4 memory modules? I'm assuming the last module you bought is 512 MB. What you can do is remove the original module(s) and replace it/them with the new module and see if Windows boots ok.

Unfortunately, there isn't always an easy way to know if a module is ECC or not. ECC memory, used for parity (error checking), is more expensive than standard memory and is typically installed in servers. I suggest you dig up your purchase order and check with the vendor. Chances are, you're ok...

Finally, I wouldn't go above 512 MB. You should just stay with 256 MB, if that's a possible configuration for you. In Windows 98, it actually hurts to have more than 320 MB of RAM. You don't really notice the "hurt" until you go over 512 MB. If you want to put all that memory to use, upgrade to Win2K or later...

see the following article for more info:
thread615-109131

~cdogg

 

[lgebhart]

I just had this happen when I upgraded to 512MB on Windows 98SE, but it wasn't a Windows problem or ECC versus non-ECC, it was the fact that I had CL2 and CL3 memory in the slots at the same time. If your chip is CL2 it should have a sticker on it that says that, if it isn't it won't have CL2 on it. CL is the Cas Latency and the 2 is 2 clock cycles, the 3 is 3 clock cycles. When you put the two together it totally confuses the operating system and obviously the video card too, in my case.

It really corrupted the win.ini file up in the postscript and it also put my ATI Radeon 64MB card to 16 colors the first time I started up with the CL2 and CL3 ram. I then got the Windows Protection Error, booted into safemode then back to normal and it went into the system. I downloaded the updated drivers for the motherboard chipsets and the updated drivers for the video card and installed. I still got the windows protection error when cold booting. I deleted those corrupted lines in my win.ini file and it has been fine ever since. I'm sure I will have to reinstall a program that uses the postscript eventually, but right now it is fine.

To run your sysedit, go to start/run/sysedit and look at the win.ini file to see if yours too has become corrupted.

I am running AMD 850MHZ, 64 MB ATI video card, 512MB of CL3 ram, DVD/CDRW combo, 52X CD Rom, Floppy Drive, 40GB hard drive with dual boot in Partition Magic, Windows 98SE.

I hope this helps. There is a program out there that tells you what kind of ram you have. If you need it, let me know and I'll look it up and send it to you.

I also agree that WK2 will use the extra ram better than Windows 98SE.

Lori ggebhart@clover.net
I hope I never get too old or arrogant to learn something new!