512 mb ram/only 256 recognized

[LORI]

I have an Abit Sa6R motherboard, using raid 0,2 40GB/HD, PIII 1G
I installed 2/ 256mb modules double sided, PC 133, in dimm 1&3. It will only work in these 2 sockets, if I try moving the modules around, I
get constant beeping, and can't boot up. 512mb is the maximum
on this board, and I'm told that I need to try an upgrade for the bios from Abit. If this doesn't work, I have to try single sided modules. Anyone have any thoughts on this problem.
Thanks for your help.

[bassvax]

Lori,

From what I am reading in the manual (just d'load'd) your board supports both single & double-sided memory. However, I read that you may only use 3 slots at any one time and you must follow the order from 1-4...It labels the banks as such:

Bank 0,1 (DIMM 1)
Bank 2,3 (DIMM 2)
Bank 4,5 (DIMM 3)
Bank 4,5 (DIMM 4)

The manual states that Bank 4,5 can only have one module...in other words you cannot occupy both instances of Bank 4,5...This is the only restriction I see.

I understand that you get error beeps when you install in the first two...Are the sticks identical? and are they of high quality? Is is possible on of them is bad? Have you tried each separately in one bank only?

Before you flash your BIOS check to see what a flash would do for your board...specifically is this issue addressed in the release.

I will look for a similar issue on the net...Might I suggest you do the same by using Google (http://www.google.com) http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Edit: According to the Abit site the available flashes do not address RAM issues http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

Edit 2: Here is the Abit Forum (http://fae.abit.com.tw/eng/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=4) Maybe you could have some luck in here.
------------------
Flush 'N' Forget
FE Stokes WWTP (http://www2.apex.net/users/hwuswtp)

[This message has been edited by bassvax (edited 06-26-2001).]

[This message has been edited by bassvax (edited 06-26-2001).]

[LORI]

Bassvax thank you for the info on the abit site. So many people with the same problems. Seems my problem is also other peoples problem. Anyway I did'nt install any ram in 3&4 at the same time. The ram has to be ok, I installed them in 1&2, then took out #2, only got half the ram. Then switched the modules in #1, same thing,only half the ram. Unless this could mean somethings wrong with the ram. If I leave them in 1&3 I have no problems except only half the ram. After going to the Abit site, I can see
that double sided ram modules is a problem with this board. Many Sa6r users
have gone to double and single sided. I'll have to check this out further.

[LORI]

Ok, I took out the double sided ram and installed single sided.
Still only half the ram.
Every thing looks ok, the modules are the same, the sockets and ram are clean, this time no beeping unless something is not in all the way.
I put just one in and get 256mb,take that out and put the other in and get 256. So the ram I'm assuming is ok. I can also put them in any slot and start the system,
where as before all I got was beeping unless I put them in 1 & 3, so something was wrong with the previous ram. But still only half the ram. Is there anything else I can do? Allready dealing with Abit on this and hope I can get some answers, but I see from the Abit forums, their not very helpful.

[danleff]

Hi,

I got this from the Crucial web site. Your system supports up to 512 mb of ram, which should be unbuffered, non-registered SDRAM. Thier notes say the following;

"Although it is physically possible to install more memory, the system will only recognize the maximum listed. Installing more memory may cause major problems. Consult the systems manufacturer for more information. System only supports four rows of PC133. More than that and the memory will run at 100MHz. For example a double sided and two single sided PC133 modules would use 4 rows. If you install another PC133 module in there, the memory will all run at 100MHz."

I would make sure that you have the same brand of memory, as well as the same type. Consult Abit for recommended memory, does your owners manual say anything about this? You can also check the memory config. utility at crucial to get an idea what you need. Many motherboards can be picky aout ram it will take, mixing brands and types/speeds just will not work well.
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?model=SA6R&x=17&y=16


[This message has been edited by danleff (edited 07-06-2001).]

[iisbob]

just a thought, but pull up your system configuration ( msconfig-goto run, type msconfig hit enter ) and click on the advance tab at the bottom, look for a box that says " limit memory to..." and make sure it is UNCHECKED. Don't know if that is the problem but it can't hurt to look. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/tongue.gif

------------------
iisbob
"Soap and education are not as sudden as a massacre, but they are more deadly in the long run."

[LORI]

Thanks for the info. I did check out everything your talking
about. Identical sticks, both work @ 256 when only one is in.
Got an e-mail from Abit asking if I tried upgrading the bios.
I was told before that there was no upgrade. Have to find an
upgrade and try that. This is the first time I'll be doing this
upgrade stuff, so if anyone can fill me in that would be great.
I got the Award Bios version number when starting up.
Thanks again for your help http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

[LORI]

Have a few more questions about this. What is density or double density in ram modules? This has come up a few times. And also the Abit site says that, the Solano chipset from Intel, 4x4, 8x4, 16x4 and other x4 memory chips are not supported. If you are using a double-sided 32 chips or single-sided 16 chips memory module, any kind of error is possible.

I'm using Kingston KVR133X64C3SS/128
The components on the module include eight 16M x 8-bit(4M x 8-bit x 4 bank)
and Kingston KVR133X64C3SS/256
The components on the module include eight 32M x 8-bit(8M x 8-bit x 4 bank)
would this x4 memory info pertain to the ram I'm trying to use?