Hello all... this evening I installed a new stick of PC100 256mb RAM in my friend's HP Pavillion 8290. Previously there were (2) two sticks of 32mb for a total of 64mb. We powered it up, it posted, loaded Windows, we went to System Properties and Windows notes the additional RAM (a total of 320). We loaded some applications (CorelDraw, etc.) and the additional RAM was noted there as well. As we were playing around, we went into the BIOS. The BIOS reports the RAM at 64mb, it says slot 0=0, slot 1=32, slot 2=32. Being a HP, the BIOS options are VERY limited. And, although the BIOS doesn't recognize it, the O.S. does. So, finally, the question is, how do I get the BIOS to recognize the new stick of RAM?

I would say that if the OS is recognizing the BIOS has to be...try going into BIOS, don't change anything just f10-save and exit...make sure you save it then reboot and try again...hopefully this time it will see it. You can also try reloading the defaults in BIOS...if all else fails try shuffling the slots around.

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mjc
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Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

We have tried shuffling the sticks around, still the BIOS doesn't detect it. We haven't tried restoring the BIOS defaults. With the very limited options on the HP, we might as well try that. I'll keep ya posted...

Thanks

Jamdog try taking out the OLD mem and insert ONLY the new mem into slot 1 boot in the BIOS and see if it has been found the into windows and check. If it has put back 1 stick ofn old 32Mb and check. Then add final stick.

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Ernie

Don't worry if the BIOS sees it or not. As long as your O/S sees it, thats all that matters. It is quite possible that the BIOS does not support anything higher than 32mb, but Windows will still utilize regardless.

Here's the latest. We disabled the HP start up splash screen. Ya know, where it hides what it's doing at boot up. Anyway, now during boot up, it (the BIOS?) counts the RAM, 320mb. So, our decision is to go with it. It's just strange to enter the BIOS and see slot1=0... Good point MCSE... thanks for all the replies!