Urgent RAM trouble

[has80]

Please help. I have apparantly been running my pc with 256Mb ram but when it boots and checks the ram it only detects 128Mb. I thought i should check if any of the RAM sticks were seated properly in the dimm slots. i took them out and put them back in, switch on computer it starts beeping at me repetitevly without bothering to boot (or show anything on screen for that matter), i tried different slots and even checking one stick at a time but the same thing happens. i'm running a pentium 3, not sure what mobo bus speed, WinMe and Linux Mandrake

[andyswork@beci.net]

Sounds like the 128 is not seating good. I have had to reseat 4 or 5 times before it was right. The other 128 might be bad. Just keep trying. If it does not work buy new memory.

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One day I will be a pro, Thanks Andy

[sea69]

as andy was saying, try one stick at a time.

it sounds like one stick is bad, easy to find out which= the one that doesn't work.

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[Michibill]

Has80 You may have gold plated memory with zinc plated contacts on the MB. Had that setup on a P133. Causes corrosion, if so, you need to clean off the corrorsion. I believe you can get an spray cleaner to do the job.

[BigBlue66]

Howdy,

When you insert the RAM, do the little hold-down clamps on either end come over and snap down on the RAM stick? If not, push down on the RAM until that happens. Word of warning, support the motherboard from flexing when you do this.

Also, use a soft rubber eraser and clean the contacts on the RAM sticks.

Post back with your progress.

Cheers,

Big Blue 66


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[has80]

it sounds like one stick is bad, easy to find out which= the one that doesn't work.

i tried all of them they all don't work, could it be a static electricity problem? or even worse the MB is busted? I can't imagine why i took a lot of care whilst checking the RAM.

The thing is my comp has always had 256Mb ever since i bought it, when i opened it up i indeed noticed that the 128Mb stick was not seated properly so i pushed it in (simple as that!). When i switch comp on again it it only detects 64Mb. so i open it up again switch some sticks around (and try every possible combination) but this time absolutely nothing is detected. and the beeps are endless, i.e. it's not a particular beep code that i'm aware of.

[buck52]

Howdy

How many sticks do you have?
When you try them one at a time are you putting them in the #1 slot?
Can you borrow a known good stick from another computer to try ( must be compatible)

buck

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just hav'n fun

[Randy_tx]

If your RAM worked before and doesn't work now [the ram you had in machine before buying new ram, that is] then the MOST likely cause of the beeps is improperly seated RAM. It is imperative that the contacts are all the way into the slots, the end fastners are all the way up, and matched properly [there is ONLY ONE WAY the dimms sticks will seat properly]. Good luck with it.....I would re-try to seat the old ram only and then try the new ram only....to isolate the new ram as good or bad. Your old ram is good unless you have introduced a ton of static to the equation.

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XP didn't save Me !

[bassman]

Hello Has80,
When you booted up after seating the 128 the first time, did you receive any kind of warning or error? After installing new RAM, which is basicly what you did, you need to go into BIOS and save changes without actualy making changes. This allows the BIOS to see the RAM correctly.

With all this switching around and now the endless beeps, I would look to the Vid card and reseat it.

How old is this machine and is there any warranty on it? Where did it come from? If one of your RAM sticks was not seated from original build, I would suspect shoddy workmanship and be taking it back if that is an option.

Good luck and keep us posted

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[has80]

Thanks bassman.
U seem to be absolutely correct about the BIOS settings. You see when i first got the comjputer it definetly had 256Mb. I used SiSoft utilities to check this... it told me that the total memory module size is 256, but it also tells me that the physical/BIOS memory banks makes 128. Any way i upgraded my ram to what should be 320Mb (i.e. mem module 1=64, MM2=128, MM3=128), but under BIOS memory banks: bank0=64, bank1= empty, bank2=64, bank3=64, which makes total 192. Does this mean i'm getting the full 320 and if not should i change the BIOS settings?

Sorry to bother u with all these questions i'll give it a try any way...

and thanks to everyone else for your replies

[Randy_tx]

You must have a mainboard that is at least 3-4 years old if it doesn't automatically "see" the installation of new ram.....if that is the case, it might have a limitation on the maximum Ram that can be installed on the system.....or, more likely, you have one stick of 128 mb incompatible RAM and it is only recognizing the 64 mb stick and a 128 mb stick.


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XP didn't save Me !

[Whyzman]

One additional thought:

While you playing musical RAM sticks are you insuring that you are static free when handling? Takes around 2000 volts for us to feel a static discharge and only 100-200 volts to crisp a stick! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

If you're working with the Power supply plugged in be sure to discharge by touching the metal on the inside of the case before messin'! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

Oops, also best to lay the RAM on those static free bags components are shipped in. This is the time of the year if your in the US where our cat runs for cover when you try to pet him...zzzzt! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[This message has been edited by Whyzman (edited 01-14-2002).]