RAM upgrade problem

[Grunt]

Hi. I'm running a P4 2.53GHz with 512K RAM (2x256 PC 2100). I want to upgrade the RAM so I bought a 1GB to replace one of the 256's to give me a total of 1256. When I do, the computer won't boot up. I took out the other 256 leaving just the 1GB. Won't boot. I take out the 1GB and put back the 2 256's and it works again. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Russ

[DaCoOlNeSs]

Hi. I'm running a P4 2.53GHz with 512K RAM (2x256 PC 2100). I want to upgrade the RAM so I bought a 1GB to replace one of the 256's to give me a total of 1256. When I do, the computer won't boot up. I took out the other 256 leaving just the 1GB. Won't boot. I take out the 1GB and put back the 2 256's and it works again. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Russ
sounds like your 1GB of memory isnt working. RMA them and try again

[keto]

depending on motherboard, the bios may have to be set to run a) a different speed b) asynchronous or you may have a compatability problem. WHich mobo you got?

[Jimborae]

Also check the memory voltages & timings in the bios.

[SimGuy]

I take it that it's unbuffered memory? (tried popping registered memory into my IC7-MAX3 and it took a ****-fit)

Additionally... does your motherboard support Dual-Channel memory configurations? What chipset is in use on it?

[Grunt]

Wow! Thank you for the responses. But way over my head. Some questions:

Cool - What does RMA mean and how do I do it?

Keto - I like your guitars. I play a Hamer Ecotone. How can I tell what my mobo is? I looked on it and didn't see anything obvious. Can I find it somewhere in Device Manager. I looked, but again, nothing obvious. And even then, getting into the bios would be new to me.

Jimborae - Like above, getting into the bios would be new to me. How would I check voltage and timing and what do I look for?

SimGuy - Unbuffered? Dual-channel? Chipset? Actually I know what a chipset is but where can I find the info to tell you?

Am I too much of a computer neophyte to help? If you still care to help (and I hope you do) you would have to dummy down any advice and walk me through it. Sorry. :(

Thanks again,
Russ

[dragonV8]

G'day Russ.

Couple of programs that will be very helpful to get you the information needed to help answer some of the questions raised by the guys.

I myself am a bit like you, not too much knowledge, though am learning, lol.

Download a little program called CPU-Z. Unzip it and run it. This will give you all sorts of info on voltage, your processor, ram, mobo, steppings ...etc.

Go here. Get the latest version= 1.23

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

This program will also supply you with a wealth of knowledge, lol. (helped me).

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html


Enjoy :)

Jon

[Grunt]

Thanks Dragon, those programs are a big help. BTW I visited Perth years ago when I was in the military service. Wonderful city!!

My motherboard is an ASUSTeK model KIRIN-V. Chipset is Intel i845GV. Bus Clock: 133MHz. BIOS: Award Software, ACPI BIOS Rev 1001.

Memory is Hyundai Electronics DDR-SDRAM PC2100 256MB. The new memory I was trying to put in is 1GB 2100 DDR 266MHz.

Using CPU-Z, voltage is grayed-out with no value listed.

Does any of this help?

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Russ

[Grunt]

BTW, I just noticed in CPU-Z that my current RAM is 133MHz. The new RAM I'm trying to install is 266MHZ. Is that the problem? Can it be resolved?

Russ

[MagicFire]

My motherboard is an ASUSTeK model KIRIN-V. The largest DDR that mothboard can handle is two 512MB chips. A single 1GB won't work.