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memory problem ??

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12 replies

by vic66

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I have two stick of ram. one is 256 and the other is 512 (crucial brand). When I install both of the stick, I have problem booting to windows xp, it'll just reboot after it try booting to Xp. I'll see the window log...then reboot.
This is my setup:

MSI KT400 mobo
1600+ AMD
WD 40 G & Maxtor 40 G HD
WinXP SP1
CD-RW and DVD-player
350W power supply

It'll boot if only one of the stick is stall.
I need the extra mem 'cause I'm doing a lot video editing.

12 replies

by thechas

There are 4 different MSI KT400 MBs.

Looking over the specifications, I don't see any reason why you should not be able to use the 2 DDR DIMMs.

Ideas:

1. Make sure that the power supply is a 'true' 350Watts. I have seen a number of power supplies lately that are rated for their peak output. The continuous output can be over 100Watts less!
(Multiply the voltages times the maximum currents. Take into account the limit of the combined 5 Volt and 3.3 Volt supplies.)

2. Are the DIMMs both the same speed?
The BIOS may be having problems setting RAM properties if both DIMMs are of different speed and CAS latency ratings.
You can try forcing the BIOS settings to the slowest of each.

3. Are the DIMMs both the same construction density?
Again, if the DIMMs are of different chip architecture, the BIOS and Windows can have problems using both together.

4. Is 1 DIMM registered, and the other not?
Same for ECC?
Mixing registered and or ECC and non is not allowed on most motherboards.

5. While I have not used a lot of DDR RAM, I have seen many an instance where SDRAM DIMMs of different brands will NOT function together. I even have a couple of brands of memory that I no longer buy because of compatibility issues.

Chas

by thechas

Since you are doing video editing, and a lot of RAM is important, I recommend getting 2 more 512MB DIMMs identical to your existing 512, and installing all 3.

If DDR evolves like SDRAM has evolved, in a couple of years you will have a hard time finding ANY RAM that will function in your MB.

Max out the RAM too as much as you can afford now.

Chas

by acattr

only thing I can think off are listed below.

Are the memory chips of the same speed. PC133 is supposed to be backwards compatible with PC100, but I've had issues when using both.

ECC and nonECC memory don't work together, so make sure your memory is of one type.

Some motherboards don't accept more that 512MB ram. Check your MOtherboard specifications.

by acattr

only thing I can think off are listed below.

Are the memory chips of the same speed. PC133 is supposed to be backwards compatible with PC100, but I've had issues when using both.

ECC and nonECC memory don't work together, so make sure your memory is of one type.

Some motherboards don't accept more that 512MB ram. Check your MOtherboard specifications.

by csmith

Try the 256 as the memmory in the first bank and the 512 as the memory in the second bank.
This problem is why we have a policy of always installing identical RAM Modules in each slot.
This problem is not common, but it is an annoying time waster.
Regards, Chris

by dnr1795

I'm no expert on the subject, but call the manufacturer & ask what the memory limit is for that model PC. The one I have at home can only support 256MB. Also, are both chips the same type? If they are different that may present a problem. ???? Just some things you may want to check.

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