Memory Problem - Help Please!

[lilspanisheddie]

I have a HP Pavillion 510C. I did all the research necessary to make sure I purchased the right memory to upgrade my computer. I had a hard time getting the meory in and thought I had it in, but when I turned on the computer I got an error code of 1-3-4-3 wich has to do with the memory. I pulled out the memory and noticed I didn't have it seated correctly. I put it back in correctly but after rebooting I got the same error. I took the new memory out and retried with the original. I got the same error code. I pulled all the memory out and got the code for no memory. I'm not sure if I damaged anything permanently or what. I can't get the computer to boot at all with the new, the old or both pieces of memory in the system. From reading this forum, I think I need to reset the CMOS and reinstall the RAM. Is this what I should do? Any other suggestions? Can someone explain to me what happens if you pull the MB battery out to reset the board? What type of info gets lost? Anything I need to be worried about?

[saphalline]

I agree, it's probably just a need to reset the CMOS. I've never had a critical problem with RAM that isn't fully seated unless the contacts get shifted out of alignment. I don't think you damaged anything.

Important Note Here: RAM sticks have contacts that are completely even all the way down, so improper seating isn't usually a problem. However, expansion cards have staggered contacts where depth matters a great deal. Never improperly seat an expansion card!!

The CMOS stores data for changes to the BIOS defaults. When you go into the BIOS menu, make a change, then choose "Save & Exit", those changes get stored to the CMOS chip. That's all it does. No permanent damage or anything when the CMOS gets cleared. It just forces the BIOS to redetect everything, which is beneficial in these cases of RAM upgrades not being recognized.

[novitiate]

I'm new at this too. I also have an HP Pavilion (different model) and have had the same problem with new RAM. Additionally, I'm not sure how to get into the BIOS menu when I can't even complete POST, so can't seem to get the BIOS menu to do anything there.

Any suggestsions?

[saphalline]

It's better to start your own thread and give a link to a similar one rather than piggyback this thread and complicate it.

My suggestion for you is the same as for lilspanisheddie: reset the CMOS.

[novitiate]

Thanks for the help and sorry, I didn't know how to start my own thread.

I've tried to reset the CMOS using the CLRTC jumper and, when that failed, by removing and replacing the battery. It didn't work. I also noticed that the jumper cap was not set by the manufacturer in the position described as the "normal" position on HP's own site.

This particular HP computer is one of a number of models for which HP does not provide a recovery disk but requires that you go through their "system restore" feature, which requires the monitor and the OS to be accessible.

What I found out by researching on the web, including this forum, is that the motherboard on my HP system is a proprietary board made for HP and also used by Compaq and E-machines (Gateway) and this board appears to have
certain problems.

It is apparently set up by HP in such a way that you cannot access the BIOS and change settings. Various people have had the same problem as me (a blank screen, inaccessibility of BIOS, and long beeps) associated with adding RAM, or a graphics card, or even just moving the mobo to another case. In each example the computer was then unable to boot fully, and the monitor screen remained dark.

The only poster in any of these threads that seemed to have success fixing his problem was one that bought a new motherboard (the same make and model - Asus A7V8X-LA) and replaced the previous, now dysfunctional, one. One Indian site contained a number of complaints regarding this mobo as being fraught with numerous problems, including inability to take new RAM.

Another poster claimed that for one mobo used by HP (didn't say which one) he was told by an HP techie that he couldn't replace the battery on that model and would have to purchase a new mobo.

I'm still looking for good advice but, failing any new ideas, I'll probably get a new motherboard compatible with my system, but I don't intend to get the same one.

[lilspanisheddie]

Well, I am glad I am not alone. I too reset the CMOS by the jumper and by removing the battery and it did not work. What really makes me upset is the original stick of RAM will not work now. I get a 1-3-4-3 beep code still. When I tried to replace the RAM with sticks from Crucial the power supply turned on and the cooling fan that is built into it turned on, the harddrive light came on, but the processor fan wouldn't turn on. I immediately turned it off and tried the old stick agian and everything booted but I got the 1-3-4-3 error code again. This is driving me nuts. I am not sure why I can't figure this out. If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know. I guess I trashed my first computer :mad:

[hockey man]

What type and manufacturer RAM did you get?

[lilspanisheddie]

Crucial PC133 256

[saphalline]

If you bought that Crucial RAM through their configurator and it was 100% guaranteed to work, contact them and see what they say. Crucial is a good company who stands behind their promises. They might be able to help in some way - and at the very least they will refund your money for the RAM.

In terms of a solution to this problem, I have none. If this problem is purely proprietary in nature, then no one on the forums can help you. None of us work for HP, and since HP customized that system beyond "standard hardware" they are unfortunately the only ones who know what's wrong. Even the 1-3-4-3 beep code for bad RAM is different from the standard beep code for bad RAM (continuous beeps). It sounds like a call or email to HP is the only hope for both of you.