Help! I can't get the computer to boot past memory check

[dc4god]

Can someone please help? When I turn my friends computer on, it will not go past the "Checking NVRAM.." message. I tried to change memory modules with a computer that works, and nothing. It is a no-name-brand Intel 400 Celeron, with a 64M memory module. Any ideas? Thanks in advance

[griffinspc]

I'm not sure if you mean that you changed the memory before you had this freeze or after you had the freeze and thought it might be the memory. If you changed the modules then had the problem here are some things to look for.

First, make sure the module(s) start in slot "0" if there is one or slot (1) if that's the first designation. That's mandatory.

Second (maybe first) is the new RAM (if that's what your trying) designated as PC100 or PC66 ?? Using the wrong designation for the motherboard's bus speed can be the problem. It's more technical than that but for now just know that RAM does have limitations for the type of machine it's installed in.

Third, you don't say if you were adding to the 64 MB already installed but if you are the RAM has to be in pairs, 2 16's, 2 32's, 2 64's on almost all newer machines.

Fourth and maybe most important. You may have bent the slot pins or fried the RAM itself (just a little static electricity can do this) or gotten dirt in the slot during installation. Use a pencil eraser to clean the pins of the RAM (gently) and use a can of compressed air to lightly blow any dust/dirt out of the slot(s).

These are the obvious things to look for. If it's the same module you first took out and it worked before I'd definitley try cleaning first and putting it back in the "0" slot and see if it boots. Also check all cabling and see if you accidently disconnected something like a drive cable.

If none of this works post back this:
Do you hear beeps before it stops booting and how many?
Can you get to the bios setup?

Good luck.

[Paleo Pete]

Wrong type memory. According to the Webopedia (http://webopedia.internet.com/TERM/N/NVRAM.html) at internet.com NVRAM is:

Abbreviation of Non-Volatile Random Access Memory, a type of memory that retains its contents when power is turned off. One type of NVRAM is SRAM that is made non-volatile by connecting it to a constant power source such as a battery. Another type of NVRAM uses EEPROM chips to save its contents when power is turned off. In this case, NVRAM is composed of a combination of SRAM and EEPROM chips.

So it sounds like the error message is talking about the CMOS chip. I can't be sure, CMOS is not the only non-volatile chip in sight, but that's what I would suspect first.



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