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DDR Trouble

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by e30ric

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After upgrading the memory to 1.24 GB from 512MB, my computer would not function properly while running some high-end (24 bit)audio editing applications. It would take 3 or 4 mouse clicks to get any reaction and would leave gaps in some multi-track transfers.
The new memory was 266MHz DDR PC2100 RAM (512MB) just like the one that was in there already, and the machine returned to normal after I removed the new RAM.
I tested the Ram in another machine and found that it seemed to be working fine.
Is there a BIOS setting that I am unaware of that might resolve this seeming memory conflict, or am I just missing something obvious.

4 replies

by bobd

First thing I would do would be to go to the motherboard manufacture website and see if there is a bios upgrade that might fix your problem.

by thechas

Unless you are running Windows XP or 2000, it sounds like you triggered the Windows 9X large RAM bug.

In fact, you should consider yourself fortunate that your system runs fine after removing the RAM, or with 512MB to begin with.

I have seen several W9X systems slow down significantly with 512MB of RAM installed.

The 'bug' is VERY configuration dependant. So, a similar system with a different BIOS or video card might function fine with 1GB, or crash with 512MB.

Microsoft offers 2 fixes for the bug:

1. Remove RAM until you have less than 512MB installed.

2. Add a line to the system files to limit the amount of RAM that Windows uses to less than 512MB.

One thing that you could do, is boost your RAM to 1.5GB and dedicate all but 500MB to a RAM drive.

Once you have the RAM drive setup, change virtual memory to use the RAM drive instead of your hard drive for the page / swap file.

If you are using Windows XP, or 2000, check for a BIOS update that addresses large RAM issues for your motherboard.

Chas

by csmith

There is nothing wrong with the hardware.
This is a Windows memory manager problem.
(Problem in the Operating System software.)
Check your actual memory usage by using a program such as Cacheman from OuterLimits.
(It is a free download. Search for cacheman on cnet.com , the parent of TechRepublic.)
After the actual situation is known, you can decide what action to take. (My guess is that the Disk Cache should be set to 16 Meg.)
Regards, Chris

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