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memory parity error

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by ozzy_6969

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i have a dell dimension 4700 3.0 ghz cpu 1gb ram i attempted to add another 1 gig 4200 pc2 when i had 2 512 3200 pc2 and then started to get memory parity error when i turned off pc, i contacted dell tech support and they did some diagnostic tests and now they want to replace my motherboard and ram? did i somehow ruin my ram in doing this and what sort of compatibilties should i be lookin for in the future

4 replies

by 3xp3rt

The problem is the 3200 and 4200 RAM type. The 3200 DDRAM work at 400 MHz, and the 4200 DDRAM work at 533 MHz. Use the same type of RAM and you have no problem.

by jamesrl

In theory, if you are replacing DDR with DDR (not DDR2), you shouldn't have a problem since the speed is a maximum rating, not an absolute. I have PC3200 in a motherboard only rated for PC2100, and it works fine - it runs at 2100, there is no advantage to using faster RAM, but no disadvantage either.

But I have had specific issues with generic or non-brand name RAM in my HP Pavillion. You may be facing similar problems. I now stick with Kingston RAM, and everything is fine.

Did you try going back to your old RAM setup? I do find it hard to beleive that you could mess up your motherboard this way.

James

by himachander

Check in Safe mode, if it boot, disable sound card, display adaptor and network adaptor and disable symantec from non plug and play devices. Then open system configuration utility(MSCONFIG) and then disable non microsoft service and startup items and restart the computer. you will be able to boot to desktop. If so, uninstall norton from the computer. To confirm whether norton is the cause for this error just enable all devices except symantec and enable select normal startup in system configuration utility(MSCONFIG).

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