my pc won't boot up after installing more memory....?

[JENIFR]

OK, I'm nowhere near "computer literate" when it comes to this issue, but here goes....I tried adding more sdram to my pc..it will recognize the memory, but won't boot up. I had a friend check it out and he said that he thought the motherboard was bad?!?! He said that he thought maybe the dimms were bad or something like that, I'm not real good when it comes to this technical stuff..LOL He checked it all out and said something about the little things that overlap or something and said that 2 of them were backwards from what they were supposed to be..could this be my problem? Am I going to have to get a new motherboard? I'm sorry I don't know much more about this, but any suggestions would be appreciated if at all possible...thanks in advance. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

[Whyzman]

Hello and welcome to PC Forum!

A little more system information would indeed help. Who's the manufacturer of the machine, what brand of MotherBoard, what Operating System are you using, who's the manufacturer of the RAM and how much did you have and how much do you have now...

Not to fear...help is all around here! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

------------------
May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[sea69]

If everything worked prior to the new ram then the ram is incorrect for your system configuration.

------------------
sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)




[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 11-08-2001).]

[Niraj]

Hi Jenny,

Try Using another RAM Card and make sure that it is the right make. If your motherboard worked earlier it cannot get bad all of a sudden. Please mail me more system information at my mail address

[JENIFR]

OK...how do I find out the motherboard brand? The guy that checked it for me said that I need an "atx" motherboard, if that means anything..? I'm running Windows 98.. My puter's a protek and it has 32 mb in it. I can't get any other memory in it. It will recognize the memory but won't boot up. We've tried other brands of memory, and none of it will work unless it's 32 mb. Everytime anything else is put in, it locks up!?!? My book says to use pc100 and that's what I got, it's pny brand if that makes any difference...? Any other ideas?? Thanks!!!! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

[Randy_tx]

The most likely cause of your problem is that the RAM modules you have in the computer are incompatible with each other. Try putting two 32 mb[or whatever size it will handle] SDRAM PC 100 modules of the "SAME BRAND" in there and I'll bet it will work fine.

------------------
Will XP save Me ?

[JENIFR]

Just wanted to let ya know Randy, that we DID try that. It just wouldn't work! Anytime anything was put in the second slot, it wouldn't work... when he downloaded some stuff off of here for "MY" puter, he checked the jumpers or whatever they're called and he said that one set of them were backwards. That one was up and the other was back and they were supposed to be the opposite..what does that mean? Any idea? Like I said, all the stuff is sorta french to me..I don't understand that much about it. I need detailed instructions to do something like this by myself...LOL

BTW...just wanted to say thanks for the welcome whyzman...

[Randy_tx]

I don't know what jumpers your friend changed...regretfully there are a good number of jumpers on a motherboard dealing with a number of different functions! I would put the jumpers he changed BACK to where they were and try again with two ram sticks.......if that doesn't work.......take it to a repair shop. You will save yourself a great deal of time and money in the long run.

------------------
Will XP save Me ?

[JENIFR]

He didn't change any of the jumpers...he just said that they were backwards. We've tried to 2 32's and it still didn't work.. It is the ones near the bottom (when the tower is sitting up), if that tell ya anything?!?! They're 2 yellow ones. I just don't want to put a bunch of money into it unless I KNOW that's what the problem is.... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Whyzman]

Randy,

Do you think the BIOS might need to be adjusted to recognize the new RAM?

You mentioned that you have a "book" which I assume is the manual for your puter. Does it have a model # ? There is a company,PC CHIPS (http://www.pcchips.com) that appears to have information and updates for the Protek computers.

It also appears that there are some motherboards that support Plug and Play and some that do not. In your manual can you find anything about what is necessary when you want to add RAM?


------------------
May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[This message has been edited by Whyzman (edited 11-09-2001).]

[JENIFR]

Whyzman,
The book that I got with my puter is one that says M5SAA system board on the front of it. For the DRAM, it says (and this is off the DRAM installation page) DRAM access time: 3.3V Unbuffered SDRAM PC100 Type required. DRAM type: 8MB/26MB/32MB/64MB/128MB/256MB DIMM Module (168 pin). I'm not sure if all this means anything though. Is that what you were meaning about information? Let me know if it's not and I'll try to find what you were meaning...thanks http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

[Whyzman]

M5SAAis indeed your Motherboard's ID number. It is made byBIOSTAR (http://www.biostar-usa.com)

I am currently downloading the manual and will have a look-see. On the Biostar site there are driver and BIOS updates the downloading of which would be a good place to start in the meantime.

If others would like to join the task at hand, HERE'S (http://ftp://ftp.biostar-usa.com/PDF_Manuals/M5SAA/m5saa080999.pdf) the link to manual.

------------------
May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[Whyzman]

Well,

After a look-see at the manual and your earlier posts. I would say forget about the downloads for right now. It would be best to concentrate on the RAM. You would need to verify that the additional RAM you are attempting to add is the same type as that existing on your system.

Since you are new at this...it is necessary to use caution when handling RAM...static electricity is a killer! I would take a look at the existing RAM and write down all information on the chip...usually there's a paper sticker of some sort with the information printed. The new RAM would be best to verify...you may need help with this. It should have been packaged with some sort of anti-static wrapping or sleeve. Before messing...handling, removing, etc. be sure to touch an unpainted surface of the case to allow a possible discharge to the grounding circuit of the case. I would suggest taking the RAM and the info from the existing RAM to a local shop and ask them to verify that you have what you need.

You might also try removing the new RAM and see if the problem persists.

------------------
May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman