Solved: RAM Memory Upgrade Problem

[lorcan64]

I have a packard bell desktop that had 1gb RAM 512 in each slot. Just bought 4gb (2x2gb) to replace the 1gb. Each module appears to work in either slot but not together. When I boot with both modules in I get a very rapid beep when I boot up and windows xp won't load. It all works fine however with just 1 module of 2gb in place.

I am running windows xp home SP3. I have been into the bios/cmos when the 2gb is in to see if I need to change anything but there is nothing I can see to change. It does show 2gb!

Thanks in advance.

 

[dai]

what are you running
video card brand and model
cpu
m/board
ram make and model
power supply
brand
model
wattage

check the listings in the bios for 12v line voltages and temperatures and post them

how much ram does the m/board support

 

[lorcan64]

Windows XP SP 3 Home 32 bit
Nvidia GeForce 6200 LE
Pentium 4 CPU 3.06GHz
Hi Dai. Thanks for the quick response.

I am not sure what the model is to be honest. Can't see anything on the box other than PackardBell. It's a few years old.

It might be a Packard Bell IMEDIA 1529


M/board - Not sure
RAM I got from Crucial Memory CT2KIT25672AA667
CT2KIT25672AA667 240-pin DIMM DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • Unbuffered • ECC • DDR2-667 • 1.8V • 256Meg x 72
Power Supply? FSP Group Inc Model No FSP250-60GEN
Wattage ?
Basically did a crucial memory scan and they recommended the pack mentioned above

Just found

CPU, Memory, Hard Drive Configuration:
This specs provided was complete with a Intel Pentium 4 n/a EIDE PCI,AGP,CNR 120 GB n/a , ATI Radeon 9200 LE 128 MB 8 MB . The Desktops memory add up to 2048 MB , with standard memory 512 MB , memory installed 1024MB-667MHz DDR2-667 PC2-5300, 240p DIMM, 1.8v MMC,SD (Secure Digital) with 4 Expansion Sockets/Slots.

Not sure what you mean by check the listings in the bios etc

I think I might need 64 bit processor to run 4gb?

 

[foxidrive]

Your motherboard may not support 2 x 2GB.

Can you run it with 1 x 2GB and 1 x 512MB? A 32 bit Windows can only use 3 GB anyway so 2.5 GB is almost there.

 

[lorcan64]

Thanks foxidrive.

I think you are right. I would need a 64bit processor to run 4gb. Hopefully I can get a refund on the memory

I appear to get a blue screen saying windows has shut down to protect your computer ... if I have 1 x 2gb and 1 x 512mb

 

[foxidrive]

Good luck with the refund. It would seem that your motherboard chipset only supports 2GB.

You can use the free PC Wizard or some other diagnostic tool and find out your motherboard model/chipset and google for it to see what is supported.

 

[dai]

the ram you purchased is ecc[error checking]

this type of ram is used in servers you need non eec ram

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Memory-Packard-Bell-iMedia-DDR2-5300/dp/B009BSNU1I

from what i could find for the model you posted it supports 4g 2x2g non ecc ram

 

[flavallee]

As dai already stated, your computer uses 1.8 volt, non-ECC modules.

----------------------------------------------------------

There's nothing wrong at all with installing 4 GB of RAM in Windows XP.

It's a 32-bit operating system, so it'll recognize and utilize about 3.25 GB of it, but it's still better than 1 GB or 2 GB.

----------------------------------------------------------

 

[lorcan64]

Hi flavallee and dai. Thanks for that. Do you know why half of it would work if what i bought was for a server?
I think Crucial are quite good so hoping I will be able to exchange at least

 

[dai]

no idea can only go on the specs for the computer you listed

 

[foxidrive]

I don't think ecc ram will work in a Non-ecc motherboard. At all. No?

 

[lorcan64]

I am not sure what my mother/b is but I do know that the ecc ram I bought will work in one slot but not when two slots are filled.

 

[dai]

well it is not working with both sticks they may be conflicting with one another

you need to put in the correct ram to find out if there is a problem also with that

i looked up your m/board on the p/bell site for this computer you listed

Packard Bell IMEDIA 1529

 

[lorcan64]

Hi dai. Thanks again for your help. Sorry I was just curious as to why the ecc stuff would work. Anyway spoke to Crucial and they will replace/refund so solitary lesson learned by me!
Thanks again really appreciate it.

 

[dai]

we will wait and see how you go when you get it