Curse

Willow · May 14, 2005, 05:47 PM // 17:47

I booted up the computer just now with only the new ram, and it seems to be working fine, so I'm guessing that the RAM and motherboard are compatible.

Willow · May 14, 2005, 07:09 PM // 19:09

No errors so far with just the new RAM.

Now I'm going to try it with the new RAM in the primary slot and the old ram in the second slot (the opposite of my original configuration.)

davidmor · May 14, 2005, 07:23 PM // 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willow

No errors so far with just the new RAM.

Now I'm going to try it with the new RAM in the primary slot and the old ram in the second slot (the opposite of my original configuration.)

If both sticks of RAM work by themselves, but crash when you put them together, you have mismatched RAM. Take the one bought back and get a stick that matches your original, or get another stick of what you just bought. Some computers are really fussy about mismatched RAM.

Willow · May 14, 2005, 07:43 PM // 19:43

I'm certain it's mismatched ram.

Since I can't find the documentation for the original, I think I'm just going to buy RAM to match the new one.

Thanks for the help everyone!

PhineasToke · May 14, 2005, 11:25 PM // 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willow

I'm certain it's mismatched ram.

Since I can't find the documentation for the original, I think I'm just going to buy RAM to match the new one.

Thanks for the help everyone!

Did you run any of the programs I listed?

Willow · May 20, 2005, 03:55 AM // 03:55

The only one I ran was Windows Memory Diagnostic.

So here's an update:

I was running the computer using JUST the new ram and it worked fine. No issues or anything. As I said above, I bought new ram to match the new one.

It arrived today, I popped it in, and started up my computer. Instant problems- restarting, windows crashing. I started guild wars, and got the same error as before- Memory error.
So I ran Windows Memory Diagnostic- and there were lots of errors!

So how is this possible? My computer likes Ram A and Ram B alone, but not A and B together (but no MemDiag errors), but B&B is even worse!

(The two RAM chips are the exact same part, the exact same manufacturer. And it works fine on its own!)

Ellestar · May 20, 2005, 05:52 AM // 05:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willow

How would I find out the 'number' of my original ram?
(I'm starting to suspect RAM mismatch is the problem, since I didn't research my new RAM very thouroughly.)

You can try this program to see RAM information (it reads this information from a memory stick ROM, just as BIOS does that to configure motherboard settings etc.)
http://www.heise.de/ct/ftp/ctspd.shtml
I'm not sure if it gives an information in a readable format or it just shows a memory dump.

Try to test your memory for errors with a memory testing program
http://www.memtest86.com/

warban · May 20, 2005, 06:19 AM // 06:19

Got the exact same problem
had one sitck of 512 2700
and have added another 512 3200
Now i get crashing in guildwars.

Furious Surearrow · May 20, 2005, 02:43 PM // 14:43

some motherboards are very picky about what ram you put in them. Turn the computer off and then take both sticks of ram out of the pc and look at them. Are they the same manufacturer? Are the chips aligned the same on the sticks? Is the chipset number the same on both? If not, you very well may have problems with it. Many motherboards will work with mismatched sticks, my gf's compac will even use different sticks of different speeds, but my sli board will only use exactly matched sticks of ram. When I first built it I didn't notice that one of the sticks had a slightly different chipset number, same manufacturer, but it caused blue screens and reboots. It worked fine by itself, but not with the other sticks so I had to take it back and exchange it.

I would bet this is what is happening to you (I also don't believe you should see any error messages for simply adding one more stick of ram, that is not normal in the pc's I have built or repaired)

I would take both sticks of ram back to the store (the one you bought and the one you already have) and explain it to them, they might be able to match one of them and exchange the other so you have matching sticks.

Some stores won't do this, but the small family owned computer stores I buy from always go out of their way to help me out (I have spent over 6K there and referred more than 10 people to them, so they greet me by name now

)

good luck!

Willow · May 20, 2005, 05:56 PM // 17:56

What do you mean "chips aligned"?

They are literally the exact same part- bought from the exact same (online) retailer.

Soul Monarch · May 20, 2005, 06:04 PM // 18:04

Hey Wil, I just joined in on this one, but it seems that your problem is that you're using RAM your motherboard doesn't support.

Just to clarify:

You have two 256mb sticks of PC3200 on the board right now and it isn't working? I would be willing to bet your motherboard isn't happy with the PC3200. This type of memory error won't always prevent the computer from running, it'll just cause it to hang on a regular basis.

Any clue what speed your original stick of RAM was? Or maybe which motherboard you have?

Willow · May 20, 2005, 06:10 PM // 18:10

No on either. It's an Athlon processor.

But for awhile I was using one stick of PC3200- I don't see why that wouldn't cause any problems if it's incompatible with my motherboard.

Ranger Robert · May 20, 2005, 06:32 PM // 18:32

If you go to Crucial's site, you might think twice about buying generic memory. I know I won't any more. Not all 3200 is the same. I also won't buy ECS motherboards anymore since they are fussy about what memory goes in them, I am going Abit next time.

Soul Monarch · May 20, 2005, 07:54 PM // 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willow

No on either. It's an Athlon processor.

But for awhile I was using one stick of PC3200- I don't see why that wouldn't cause any problems if it's incompatible with my motherboard.

Well, I couldn't be sure without tinkering with the system myself. I don't ever really run into RAM trouble, but I know a lot of people who do.

I pretty much just stick to Kingston, because I've never had the stuff betray me. -shrug-

The best advice is to:

1.) Check the motherboard specs and make sure that it is technically supposed to work with the RAM you've got in it.

2.) Take the RAM and try it in another box to see if the RAM is borked.

There is always the possiblity that it's both 1 and 2, of course. But that would mean you've got more inconsistencies in your machine than just the RAM though.

Willow · May 20, 2005, 07:59 PM // 19:59

According to CPU-Z:

CPU:
AMD Athlon XP
Palomino
Socket A

Motherboard
Manufacturer: Abit
Model 761-686B (KG7)
Chipset AMD-761
BIOS Brand: Award Software International INC

Soul Monarch · May 20, 2005, 08:13 PM // 20:13

Oh!

The KG7 is only rated to run with DDR200/266 RAM.

Willow · May 20, 2005, 08:35 PM // 20:35

Good to know!

So- why has it been running on one chip of the 3200 so far?

Willow · May 20, 2005, 08:40 PM // 20:40

And will buying this be a mistake?:

http://www.acmicro.com/PPmain.asp?It...Mostrar&msk=PD

Soul Monarch · May 20, 2005, 08:44 PM // 20:44

RAM is funny that way, it won't always cause a total system failure. I've seen high-end RAM do okay in a low-end motherboard before with absolutely no explanation as to why. I guess it's due to inconsistencies on the manufacturer's end.

All I can tell you for 100% certain is that the tech docs for that KG7 have it as running on DRR200/266. If you find a stick of 3200 that for some reason works, heck, you may as well use it.

Soul Monarch · May 20, 2005, 08:52 PM // 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willow

And will buying this be a mistake?:

http://www.acmicro.com/PPmain.asp?It...Mostrar&msk=PD

What the hell does "Major Brand" mean, anyways? For all you know they're giving you a Hostess Swiss Cake Roll in a static bag.

Save yourself the trouble and go for: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820141002

It's a bit quicker, it's a bit cheaper, and most importantly: It's a well-known and trusted brand. (New Egg is a really great company for computer parts BTW, if things don't work returns are usually cake.)