Let more computer trouble: what is it with me and these bloody things?

Paul Hanson · May 6, 2003, 16:37

Yesterday, I managed to acquire some more RAM for my computer; another 256MB of PC133 SDRAM, to be precise. My aging motherboard has 3 RAM slots, all of which were occupied. With some creative moving around of the various sticks, I ended up with the following:

Slot 1: 64MB PC100 SDRAM
Slot 2: 128MB PC133 SDRAM
Slot 3: Same again

giving me a grand total of 320MB of RAM, if I'm not mistaken. So I boot the computer up, only to be told that I have 192MB of RAM.

This is clearly a falsehood. I've tried all the various sticks in different slots but I still get the same result. My computer only supports RAM speeds up to PC100, but I was under the impression that SDRAM slows itself down to match the highest speed your motherboard is capable of. Or am I wrong?

Any help you could offer in this matter would be appreciated, provided it's useful help.

Giancarlo · May 6, 2003, 16:43

Okay you might have some bad ram.

Put in each stick at a time and boot up to see what they read. One stick may be bad. My suspicion is that it could be the new one, the 256MB stick that is bad, as 64 + 128 = 192.

This is a way I tracked down some bad ram in my machine some time ago...

Paul Hanson · May 6, 2003, 16:48

There isn't a 256MB stick in it. When I said "Same again", I meant that there was another 128MB stick in it.

Sorry if I didn't make myself clear. And I have a nagging suspicion that you're right, I just wanted to see if there was anything else I could try before I start arsing around inside my computer....again.

Giancarlo · May 6, 2003, 16:51

Oh I misinterpreted what you said. Yeah, I would just go through each stick and test it. One at a time. Unfortunately, not much of a choice.... to make here...

Willem · May 6, 2003, 17:05

No, I don't think the system will adjust to the 133 sticks. I had the same problem and I could never get it to work. And I spent hours trying, testing each stick one at a time. I'd suggest taking it back and getting a couple of 100's.

Paul Hanson · May 6, 2003, 17:34

It would seem that you're right. It seems to register them as being 64MB sticks when they're actually 128MB.

And PC100 sticks are hard to get hold of: it's the only reason that I actually bought PC133 ones in the first place.

alva · May 6, 2003, 18:18

Can you get the 2 x 128's to work without the 64 one?
The latter won't do any good if you're running '98 or ME anyway.

Willem · May 6, 2003, 18:20

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul Hanson
It would seem that you're right. It seems to register them as being 64MB sticks when they're actually 128MB.

And PC100 sticks are hard to get hold of: it's the only reason that I actually bought PC133 ones in the first place.

I'm surprised you get them to register at all. When I ran into the problem, my system didn't even recognize the card. I couldn't even get my BIOS to start up.

And yes, I know that PC100 cards are hard to find. I got lucky and found a place close to home that had just opened up. You should look for a place that does upgrade work, as well as sell brand new systems. They might have some cards available from older systems they've worked on.

Skanky Burns · May 6, 2003, 19:16

133 sticks will also be able to go at 100 speed. Compatability with your m/b might be a problem though.

Fez's advice is good - test each one sepeartely.

SlowwHand · May 6, 2003, 19:28

Write today down in your diary, Fez.

Giancarlo · May 6, 2003, 19:32

I have had PC133 sticks to run at 100 a long time ago... when I had an older board.

Slowwhand: Huh?

Paul Hanson · May 6, 2003, 19:34

This is what Sisoft Sandra says about my RAM:

Memory Controller
Error Detection Method : 8-bit parity
Error Correction Capability : None
Supported/Current Memory Interleave : 1-way / 1-way
Number of Memory Slots : 3
Maximum Installable Memory : 384MB
Maximum Module Size : 128MB
Supported STD/FPM/(B)EDO Speeds : 70ns, 60ns
Supported SDRAM Speeds : PC66, PC100
Supported Memory Types : STD, SDRAM
Supported Memory Voltages : 3.3V

Physical/BIOS Memory Banks
A0 (RASL-1) : 64MB SIMM BEDO SDRAM ESDRAM single-bank
A1 (RASL-2) : 64MB SIMM single-bank
A2 (RASL-3) : 64MB SIMM single-bank

Logical/Chipset Memory Banks
Bank 0 Setting : 64MB SDRAM 8-1-1-1R 6-2-2-2W 3-3-3CL
Bank 1 Setting : 64MB SDRAM 8-1-1-1R 6-2-2-2W 3-3-3CL
Bank 2 Setting : 64MB SDRAM 8-1-1-1R 6-2-2-2W 3-3-3CL
Power Down Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : No

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module 1 : Micron 64MB 8x(8Mx8) SDRAM PC100-323-622 (CL3 upto 125MHz) (CL2 upto 77MHz)
Memory Module 2 : Kingston 16MX64PC133CL3168 170E6400 128MB 4x(16Mx16) SDRAM PC133U-333-542 (CL3 upto 133MHz) (CL2 upto 100MHz)
Memory Module 3 : Kingston 16MX64PC133CL3168 140F5A00 128MB 4x(16Mx16) SDRAM PC133U-333-542 (CL3 upto 133MHz) (CL2 upto 100MHz)

Despite clearly recognising that the last two modules are 128MB, it only registers them as being 64MB. How odd.

Giancarlo · May 6, 2003, 19:35

Did you test them individually? It may turn out even worse than I thought, both 128MB sticks could possibly be bad...

Paul Hanson · May 6, 2003, 19:37

I've tried them all individually, and they all show up as being 64MB.

SlowwHand · May 6, 2003, 19:38

Skankt- "Fez's advice is good - test each one sepeartely."

Recognized for knowledge, with no outside crap given to you.
I'd say that's worth writing down.

alva · May 6, 2003, 22:55

Any info on the MoBo?
-
@Slow

faded glory · May 7, 2003, 00:50

Hi. Run memtest 86 on that new stick of ram. And then, remove it and see what comes up. Its completely possible you got a bogus stick

If you want to know the make and type of your mobo register at the motherboards.org forum and go to "MOBO ID". Aussie over there is the best.

What type of OS? 98? 2k? 95? OS/2? RH? etc..

Urban Ranger · May 7, 2003, 00:55

Remove the 64MB stick and try testing again.

Paul Hanson · May 7, 2003, 04:05

Motherboard info, again from Sisoft Sandra.

System Mainboard
Manufacturer : Jetway
MP Support : No
Model : SiS530-6801
BIOS ID : 07/29/2000-SiS530-6801-2A5IMJ1BC-00
System Chipset : SiS 530 Chipset

Memory Controller
Error Detection Method : 8-bit parity
Error Correction Capability : None
Supported/Current Memory Interleave : 1-way / 1-way
Number of Memory Slots : 3
Maximum Installable Memory : 384MB
Maximum Module Size : 128MB
Supported STD/FPM/(B)EDO Speeds : 70ns, 60ns
Supported SDRAM Speeds : PC66, PC100
Supported Memory Types : STD, SDRAM
Supported Memory Voltages : 3.3V

Physical/BIOS Memory Banks
A0 (RASL-1) : 64MB SIMM BEDO SDRAM ESDRAM single-bank
A1 (RASL-2) : 64MB SIMM single-bank
A2 (RASL-3) : 64MB SIMM single-bank

System Chipset
Model : Silicon Integrated Systems (SiS) SiS530 CPU to PCI Bridge
Bus(es) : ISA AGP USB SMBus/i2c
L2 External Cache : 512kB pipeline-burst write-back
Front Side Bus Speed : 1x 75MHz (75MHz data rate)
Max FSB Speed / Max Memory Speed : 1x 100MHz / 1x 100MHz

Logical/Chipset Memory Banks
Bank 0 Setting : 64MB SDRAM 8-1-1-1R 6-2-2-2W 3-3-3CL
Bank 1 Setting : 64MB SDRAM 8-1-1-1R 6-2-2-2W 3-3-3CL
Bank 2 Setting : 64MB SDRAM 8-1-1-1R 6-2-2-2W 3-3-3CL
Power Down Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : No

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module 1 : Micron 64MB 8x(8Mx8) SDRAM PC100-323-622 (CL3 upto 125MHz) (CL2 upto 77MHz)
Memory Module 2 : Kingston 16MX64PC133CL3168 170E6400 128MB 4x(16Mx16) SDRAM PC133U-333-542 (CL3 upto 133MHz) (CL2 upto 100MHz)
Memory Module 3 : Kingston 16MX64PC133CL3168 140F5A00 128MB 4x(16Mx16) SDRAM PC133U-333-542 (CL3 upto 133MHz) (CL2 upto 100MHz)

Environment Monitor 1
Model : NS LM78 ISA
Mainboard Specific Support : No

Cooling Device(s)
Auto Fan Speed Control : No
CPU Fan Speed : 5153rpm

Voltage Sensor(s)
CPU Core Voltage : 2.96V
Aux Voltage : 2.99V
+3.3V Voltage : 2.02V
+5V Voltage : 3.06V
+12V Voltage : 13.07V

And in answer to fg, I'm running Win XP Pro.

Richelieu · May 7, 2003, 07:18

Is this the one ?

http://www.j-mark.com/PRODUCT/mb/j530bf.html

SpencerH · May 7, 2003, 07:23

Your info says it can handle the 128MB sticks but I wonder about the effect of the 64MB stick in the first slot. Put one 128MB stick in slot one and re-boot . If it reads as 64MB you're screwed. If that happens it's worth a look in the bios to see if there is a setting you have to change first before installing 128MB sticks (I dont know why you would need to do that but its worth a look). If all else fails, read the motherboard manual.

Richelieu · May 7, 2003, 07:27

Quote:

Originally posted by SpencerH
If all else fails, read the motherboard manual.

That should actually be the first step. Always.

Urban Ranger · May 7, 2003, 10:36

That's why I suggested testing with the 64MB RAM stick removed, it might somehow cause the mobo to treat all the sticks as 64MB.

SpencerH · May 7, 2003, 15:02

Quote:

Originally posted by Richelieu

That should actually be the first step. Always.

Where's your sense of adventure?

Most manuals either have only the most trivial info or have the important bios stuff written in a language you can only read when you are experienced enough to not need it.

Willem · May 7, 2003, 21:02

Quote:

Originally posted by SpencerH

... or have the important bios stuff written in a language you can only read when you are experienced enough to not need it.

faded glory · May 7, 2003, 21:20

Is sticks of PC-100 and PC-133 mixed???

Waiting for confirmation...

Skanky Burns · May 7, 2003, 21:27

I don't see how mixing could be causing this problem - he tried each one seperately and they were still detected as 64mb.

faded glory · May 7, 2003, 21:35

Yes but still. Bye inserting the PC-100 you slow down the PC-133 to PC-100 speed

And as for mixing and having them show. Yes it does.

Skanky Burns · May 7, 2003, 21:37

The m/b he has is limited to pc-100 anyway (as said in his first post) so mixing doesn't have any effect for him.

faded glory · May 7, 2003, 21:41

ok.

your right

Just wanted to get that out of the way. Had we been talking of DDR, PC2100 w/ PC 2700. Then that wouldnt of worked aswell.

hmmm...try asking a few other forums. These guys are good

www.computing.net

www.motherboards.org