Hi people I have an issue with my

[rizunb]

Hi people
I have an issue with my pc's RAM
I have 2 slots in my PC for RAM.
Now I already had 256mb SDRAM p133 in my computer and other slot was free. I wanted to increase performance so I ordered another 256 MB SDRAM P133 for the other slot. Now when I install it and restarted my computer its says that I have total of 392MB RAM. It means the the new RAM IS NOT 256mb its 128.

The difference I noticed between my previous 256 MB RAM and this one was that this RAM looks one sided and other is double sided. Like the new have those black strips only on one side but my old 256 mb ram have black strips on both sides. Does that make a difference. I am not very good in hardware. Hope you can guide me what to do.

Thanks in advance

 

[bcastner]

Your older RAM was likely the PC100/133 type. Stick in a stick of PC100 and not the newer PC133.

 

[jhall01]

i don't think the type should matter on the ram. the fact that one is newer shouldn't make a difference but can. Ram is very fickle on how it likes to work.

When getting ram here is a montra to remember:

Brand, Brand, Brand.

Keep your brands together. If one is PNY make all PNY. It doesn't really hurt to mix them up but sometimes it reduces the risk of them not working together. Also since one is older it may not like the newer chip and the way it is made.

Try switching the chips on the slots and also make sure your MOBO suports over 392mb. it may not support 512. If someone else has a pc that you can stick the new chip into their computer you can double check to make sure the chip is good and additionally make sure you did buy a 256 chip.

 

[rizunb]

Hi Well, I dont kno how to find out that the MOBO SUPPORTS OVER 392? I dont know much about hardware.

Also i did checked it on another computer and still reads as 128

I dont know what to do

 

[ANFPS26]

jhall01
The type does matter. The newer PC133 RAM won't work in a lot of PC100 PCs. It's no longer backwards compatable.

Jim

 

[firthm]

Hi,

I feel terrible as I think I am pointing out the obvious, the only thing no-one has mentioned:

*Human error

If you read the original post here it's clear that the OLD RAM and the NEW RAM are both 133 in speed, and you have tried your new RAM in a different machine....

The reason I classify this as human error is because RAM is one of the most blundered pieces of PC hardware ever, if the box isn't labelled and sealed, someone could easily have picked up a 128mb chip in the distribution of your RAM.

It sounds like you have paid for 256mb RAM and received a 128mb chip, it's this simple. If the RAM was too new for the MOBO it's more than likely it wouldn't be able to use it, not just halve it's potential.

Send the RAM back to where you got it from, explaining the situation and I'm sure you will get a new 256mb chip.

Thanks,
Mike Firth

 

[bcastner]

I am solidly with ANFPS26 on this one.

The older PC100/133 was a double-sided stick and the newer sticks just will not work the same. They have chips on only one-side and will report 1/2 the stated RAM value if they work at all.

Specify PC100 and you will get the older style stick that will work without issue as to brands, etc.

Brand matching and other concerns really only become significant when you start getting fancy with high FSB rates and more complex DDR schemas.