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Windows 98 memory Issue

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15 replies

by ahorster

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I just put a 1 gig intel chip on a asus motherboard with 4 sticks of 256 meg (133)ram. The windows mem check passes it, but Norton mem check gives me an error on anything past 256. All sticks check good in # 1 slot for both tests.

Is there a Windows limit to memory, or is it a Norton Utilities (2000) issue? or a ram/processor/motherboard issue?

Thanks,

Alex

15 replies

by lizzy

Check your hardware manuals for the PC as you may need to set the motherboard, bios, etc. to see the newly installed RAM. Also, check Microsoft's article:
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q259/1/84.ASP
It discusses increasing your PC's RAM. It doesn't seem to be something that Norton Utilities would not be able to see. Double check the amount of RAM seen by Windows under Start, Settings, Control Panel, System, General tab--it will show how much RAM is installed and recognized by Windows. Good luck.

by ahorster

Well TechRep has asked me to accept or reject the answers provided. Unfortunately it is not a black and white world. I got some good info, but the problem has not been solved. So I guess I have to reject the answers, altho I have gotten good advice, and some good links. I fear also that I did not adequately explain the problem. The system still periodically freezes, and does not show the correct amount of memory if I go to properties, yet the mem check on start up shows the correct amount. I have replaced all four sticks of PremierSystems 133 mem with Kingston. Now I have taken all boards out, all sticks of mem except one, cleaned all contacts and slots and am troubleshooting. Running 2000 Adv Server.

by dmiles

First of all you will need to check the motherboard configuration,most likely it is the cpu/motherboard configuration that does not support the amount of memory that you have installed,even though it may be specified does not mean it will support that amount of memory,without some type configuration changes.

by ahorster

Well TechRep has asked me to accept or reject the answers provided. Unfortunately it is not a black and white world. I got some good info, but the problem has not been solved. So I guess I have to reject the answers, altho I have gotten good advice, and some good links. I fear also that I did not adequately explain the problem. The system still periodically freezes, and does not show the correct amount of memory if I go to properties, yet the mem check on start up shows the correct amount. I have replaced all four sticks of PremierSystems 133 mem with Kingston. Now I have taken all boards out, all sticks of mem except one, cleaned all contacts and slots and am troubleshooting. Running 2000 Adv Server.

by danpiers

This is a very common complaint. Believe it or not, Windows 98 was pretty much designed to use no more than 512MB of RAM! The issue is actually more with the virtual component of the RAM than the actual RAM, but the problem is real nonetheless. The fix (actually just a workaround) is to add an entry to your SYSTEM.INI that prevents the cache from mirroring all the RAM you have installed. For more detailed information on the fix and the reason for this problem, use the Microsoft Knowledge Base and see Question 253912 to start with. Good luck.

by ahorster

Well TechRep has asked me to accept or reject the answers provided. Unfortunately it is not a black and white world. I got some good info, but the problem has not been solved. So I guess I have to reject the answers, altho I have gotten good advice, and some good links. I fear also that I did not adequately explain the problem. The system still periodically freezes, and does not show the correct amount of memory if I go to properties, yet the mem check on start up shows the correct amount. I have replaced all four sticks of PremierSystems 133 mem with Kingston. Now I have taken all boards out, all sticks of mem except one, cleaned all contacts and slots and am troubleshooting. Running 2000 Adv Server.

by ahorster

Well TechRep has asked me to accept or reject the answers provided. Unfortunately it is not a black and white world. I got some good info, but the problem has not been solved. So I guess I have to reject the answers, altho I have gotten good advice, and some good links. I fear also that I did not adequately explain the problem. The system still periodically freezes, and does not show the correct amount of memory if I go to properties, yet the mem check on start up shows the correct amount. I have replaced all four sticks of PremierSystems 133 mem with Kingston. Now I have taken all boards out, all sticks of mem except one, cleaned all contacts and slots and am troubleshooting. Running 2000 Adv Server.

Alex

by ahorster

Point value changed by question poster. Any ideas on utilities / troubleshooting greatly appreciated.

by drdmc

Some asus boards have an unmarked jumper near the memory slots that changes the voltage for additional ram support. You might want to check into this possibility.

by lizzy

Well, since your question is still open and you're looking for some tools...
Go to this site:
http://hcidesign.com/
(no spaces in URL)
and download their free trial version of MemTest which is a utility described as being good for trouble shooting intermittent, pesky memory problems. It needs to run on the affected system for hours (over the weekend on a frequently used PC?) Hope this helps.

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