PC Memory Upgrade Headaches

rammstein · 03-09-2008, 07:30 PM

OK- here is the basic data-

My motherboard has 4 memory slots. Currently, 2 are filled with 512mB sticks.

From my boot menu, it indicates that it is PC2-3200 DDR2 memory @ 400MHz.

I bought 2-1GB sticks of DDR2 PC2-5300 which claims to be backwards compatible with PC2-3200 @ 400MHz. It also says 'dual-channel' on the box.

Long story short- it doesn't work. I tried a few configurations, but with the new ram inserted it simply doesn't boot. No boot. Even taking out the old ram altogether and leaving just the new RAM installed, no dice. Tried using the correct slots, tried the incorrect slots.

Is the 'dual-channel' part screwing me? I don't know if I have dual channel or not. I would have thought I did based on the 4 slots, with each pair color-coded, but perhaps not.

In other news, I installed a real video-card (e-GeForce 7600GT) and Warcraft looks AMAZING now. Unfortunately, in the process of installing it, my computer no longer finds the CD-Drive as a boot device, and warns me of this with every bootup. Nevermind the fact that the drive works fine, it just doesn't 'see' it on bootup anymore. ARRRRRGH!!!!

stomachmonkey · 03-09-2008, 07:46 PM

How old is the box?

What motherboard?

If it's too old it may not support 1 GB sticks.

Joeaksa · 03-09-2008, 07:51 PM

As noted above, you need to find out what type of MB you have, and see what it will handle.

Make sure you find out which slots are 1 & 2 and use them first.

Then max it out with RAM.

slodave · slodave's Garage

If you have four slots, they are paired up. Should have colors like Slot 1 - black/blue, Slot 2 - black/blue. That type of MB needs to run *matched* memory in each slot. At least i stick in each bank (i.e. the two black slots). If you want to fill the other two slots in each bank (the blue slots), you would (more than likely) need to fill them with two 512 sticks of RAM.

If you have tried all available configurations, it could be that the memory sucks. What brand is it? You should at least be able to take the two new 1 gig sticks and put one into each slot like above. Probably really confused you on this....

rammstein · 03-09-2008, 08:22 PM

The slots are labeled appropriately, as to which ones are which. Filled 1 and 2. The sites I have checked claim my motherboard will read 1 gig cards... currently in there are 2 512 sticks.

Again- coud it be something to do with dual-channel stuff?

slodave · slodave's Garage

What brand memory did you buy? What is the MB make and model?

Seriously, there is really crappy memory out there. I only try and buy Kingston, but Corsair and one more that is escaping me.

slodave · slodave's Garage

Also, the gig sticks. Are they ECC or non-ECC? If you happened to buy ECC memory, it won't work at all.

rammstein · 03-09-2008, 08:40 PM

The memory I bought is non-ECC, for sure (it says so, and the number of chip thingies isn't divisible by 3 or 5).

The brand is PNY. The size of each stick is 1 GB. Model is DDDR2 PC2-5300, dual channel.

Here is my computer data:
Dell Inc. Dimension 4700
Board: Dell Inc. 0M3918
Serial Number: ..CN7082153300SW.
Bus Clock: 800 megahertz
BIOS: Dell Inc. A06 01/10/2005

1024 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'CHANNEL A DIMM 0' has 512 MB
Slot 'CHANNEL B DIMM 0' has 512 MB
Slot 'CHANNEL A DIMM 1' is Empty
Slot 'CHANNEL B DIMM 1' is Empty

kstar · 03-09-2008, 08:42 PM

Would a RAM analyzer program be of any help?

Best,

Kurt

rammstein · 08:52 PM

Good call on the analyzer- I had used the analyzer on crucial.com to find out some stuff, and it told me:

Currently Installed: DDR PC2-3200 512MBx2

Then it goes on to say Each memory slot can hold DDR2 PC2-4200,DDR2 PC2-6400,DDR2 PC2-5300 with a maximum of 1GB per slot.

What is particularly perplexing about this is that DDR2 will not fit in a DDR slot, and the crucial system scanner claims my current RAM is DDR, and it obviously isn't because:
A) the DDR2 ram I bought physically fits just fine
B) my BIOS says I have DDR2 Ram

kstar · 03-09-2008, 08:57 PM

How about an analyzer that actually checks the integrity of the chips?

FWIW.

Best,

Kurt

rammstein · 03-09-2008, 08:58 PM

How does that work? Never heard of it.... man, I thought I was gonna snap these in and be pimping one click later. Instead, now I have to cry. ;(

slodave · slodave's Garage

Can you burn an image from an ISO to a CD? Not an answer to your ?, but let me know.

kstar · 03-09-2008, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rammstein

How does that work? Never heard of it.... man, I thought I was gonna snap these in and be pimping one click later. Instead, now I have to cry. ;(

The program will scan the RAM blocks in the chips and report problems if found.

Are you running XP?

I can look for a RAM tool.

Best,

Kurt

slodave · slodave's Garage

Here:
http://www.memtest.org/

rammstein · 03-09-2008, 09:13 PM

I assume I am answering the question correctly- yes. I at one point downloaded an ISO burner to make a copy of something.

kstar · 03-09-2008, 09:15 PM

Here's one that's free: http://hcidesign.com/memtest/download.html

edit - Dave beat me to it!

Best,

Kurt

rammstein · 03-09-2008, 09:15 PM

I am running XP.

If my PC won't even boot when I install one of these mem sticks, how would memTest be able to function...

I DO appreciate everyone's help. I just wish I was smart enough to figure this stuff out.

kstar · 03-09-2008, 09:18 PM

Yes, that's a problem.

Hmmmmm . . .

I dunno ? ?

Dave is smarter with this - I'm less than a Windows expert.

Good luck and sorry I couldn't help more.

Best,

Kurt

slodave · slodave's Garage

I'd suggest taking the PNY back. I don't care for it. You have a PM. Does the computer beep if you only have the 1 gig sticks in?