memory problems

Could be one of many reasons ...

1) You have put more RAM in the machine than it can handle

2) You are running win9x/ME which has a problem seeing/running with more than 512 MB of RAM

3) You have put in RAM which is incompatible with your MB or if you have win XP, with your OS

4) Your RAM chip could be bad or faulty

5) Your slot with the new RAM could be bad

To fix these problems ...

1) Check with the manufacturer to see how much RAM the MB can handle

2) If youare running win 9x (95/98) or win ME, cut your RAM back to 384 MB

3) Check with the HCL for win XP about which types of RAM are compatible ... Check with the MB manufacturer about which type and speed of RAM works with your MB like ... not that SDRAM will fit in RDRAM slots, but the speed will defintely matter

4) go to www.memtest86.com and download the program to test out your new RAM chip(s)

5) place the new RAM in the slot where the old RAM is and see if the machine boots up
These are just some of the possibilities ... write back with more info if none of these solve the problem ... specs like OS, MB, RAM type, current machine config, etc

Hope this helps.

-Dave

If it's an older system, you may be required to install RAM SIMMs in matched pairs and similar to the existing type.

Assuming SDRAM DIMM modules, there are many variations and limitations to memory configuration.

Many older motherboards can only use single density DIMMs. The latest DIMMs are quad density.

I have seen motherboards with limits as low as 16MB per DIMM slot.
Others do not recognize the 3rd slot if large capacity DIMMs are installed in slot 1 or 2.

The best check, is to use the memory configuration tools at the major memory manufactures web sites to verify what will work on your system.www.crucial.com
www.kingston.com
www.pny.com

Kingston also has a good guide on memory in general.

Another possibility, is the BIOS switch to ignore RAM over 64MB for OS/2 support.

Chas

I assume you checked the manual before you got the additional RAM.
The comment about density is not valid.
If the PC can only recognize single density RAM, it will only recognise part of the RAM module. (Usually one half.)
Assuming you put in theproper RAM for the motherboard, several things can be wrong.
The first has to do with speed.
The slowest RAM has to be in the lowest memory bank.
(Usually marked as bank zero on most MBs.)
Swap the modules to check this if you do not know how toread the code on the chips.
This problem can also be incompatability between manufacturers.
Check this by installing the DIMMs one at a time.
Are they individually good?
EDO SIMMS have to be installed in pairs.
Make sure the SIMMs in each pairare identical.
(Make and model are the same)
NOW THE DUST PROBLEM!
Since, from your question, it appears you added RAM, did you make sure the slots were really clean?
PCs are usually loaded with dust because of the Power supply fan and no filters.
Dust dirt can prevent the contacts on the RAM from meeting with the MB contacts.
Well this is a start. We always setup PCs with identical RAM modules for this reason. This problem is not common , but it happens.
Regards, Chris

As Chris mentioned, try modules one at a time, if it recognizes the old and then not the new, the module could be no good. this can be due to manufacturer defect, or zapped with static electricity. Manufacture defects are rare, but it has happened. static charge is more common if you were not grounded, or laid module down on a non-static proof surface.

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