Hello,

I bought 2 new 256MB RAM for my pc compatible for the motherboard that I have. My motherboard has 3 slots. The problem is that each slot reads up to 128MB of RAM. So, even if I put my 2 new RAM chips on I am supposed to have 512MB RAM, but my pc reads it as 256MB RAM. The RAMs that I bought are for the motherboard I use, and each slot should read more than 128MB of RAM. A friend of mine has told me to run a BIOS Flash. I haven't done it so.. what could be causing that problem?

Thanks

I posted this in you other thread, but is more appropriate here: similar problem thread. (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23516)

Also, I would run a RAM tester to see if it can tell you anything. DocMem (http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp) is a free tester.

You might try different combinations of RAM to see if it makes a difference. I would first try removing the 64Mb stick and see what happens. Then mix and match if it isn't registering 512Mb. If it is, I would save the 64Mb for a rainy day and leave it out.

A BIOS flash might help, but only if it is resolving some identified problem in using RAM with the BIOS you have now.

Hello,

I ran the memory test you told me...it found about 71 errors in 6 different tests :eek: . lol. anyway..i tried changing the slots and making combinations..but nothing happened..i haven't tried to flash yet..

I would probably try each stick by itself, run the tests on it. If bad, make it into jewelry. If good keep it. If all bad, time to go shopping....

Also, if all are bad, I would wonder what went wrong to mess them up. Could be static if you were in the case without being grounded or could be something like a power surge. Since it could lead to new RAM dying too, it would be good to investigate a bit...

I have this question..is there a way to make my pc read more ram for each slot? is there a setting or something? ..because as you already know each slot of my motherboard reads 128 MB of RAM only.

Are you sure that each slot only reads 128 or is that each stick of RAM is disabled in 128??? If it really is a limitation of the motherboard, the only option with the same board is to upgrade the BIOS if there is an upgrade available that will remove that limitation. If you can, you might want to try the RAM in another machine and run DocMem on it there to see if the sticks are bad or if it is something about your board.

Hello,

Ok i will try those Ram sticks on another pc. You are probably right. I should do a bios upgrade. I will do that and let you know.

Thanks :)

I didn't say you SHOULD do a BIOS upgrade. As a matter of fact, I urge you not to do a BIOS upgrade unless there is one that gives you the ability to load more RAM. Since your current BIOS is already supposed to do that, it may be completely unnecessary to upgrade it further... However, that would mean there is some other problem and I don't know what that might be...

:cool: :rolleyes: ok I'll test those sticks on another machine then. I'll let you know the results as soon as i get them from the DocMem.

Thanks :)

Hello,

I figured this out..searching the web.. My motherboard is an Advance 9 QDI. I found that the type of RAM that it can take is up to: 256mb sdram pc133. The RAMs that I use are: 256mb sdram pc166. Could that be the problem? Or it doesn't matter? The only difference is that my new rams have pc166.

RAM is generally downward compatible and thus PC166 should run on PC133 slots. PC166 isn't even a standard yet and may simply be a bit overclocked when it is able to run at that speed. Check this PAGE (http://www.geocities.com/orchis_2k/memory.html) for more details.

For the 256mb sdram pc166 I use "normal" settings at the DRAM settings at bios...does that have to do with anything? I tried playing with those settings but no luck.

That should be fine, I don't think that is the problem. It may turn out that the RAM isn't the problem at all or that your motherboard is just not fond of that particular brand of RAM, some mobos are picky....

Hello,

Budfred check this site: http://www.qdi.nl/cgi-bin/bbs/YaBB.pl?board=advance;action=display;num=105154327 5

:p hold on let me turn of my pc and check the exact info on my ram :p

That issue of single versus doublesided RAM could be the problem, I also found this. (http://www.qdi.nl/cgi-bin/bbs/YaBB.pl?board=advance;action=display;num=102492877 8)

Model: CT32M72S4R75, 256MB SDRAM, PC133 CL=3 (Registered • ECC • 7.5ns • 3.3V • 32Meg x 72) ... yeap..it is the same RAM that guy used and it had the same problem as mine. Advance 9 QDI only reads unbuffered memory :( . Well, it seems to me..if this is the problem...then I don't think the download problem on my other thread has anything to do with it..right?

That is probably the problem, but it still might have an impact on the other issue if the RAM is messing with your system stability. If you can exchange it, I would urge you to do so. Also, unless your board insists on ECC RAM, I wouldn't bother with it since it is more expensive and not likely to make much difference.

Well, I guess that is all of this thread :). Thanks a lot guys! I appreciate your help! :cool:

Well, I think my next move will be ...to use my old 2 64MB RAM which were working fine..to see if anything changes on my game update. I'll make a post to let you know what happens at the "Download Problem" thread. Thanks again! :)