Newegg.com RAM ?

[Airesz]

I am currently upgrading and Compaq Presario 5003US.

System Spec

Windows Xp Machine
933 MHz CPU
256MB ram
(1 PC100 Stick from Compaq)
(1 PC133 Stick from Crucial Memory)
On Board Video

Upgrading to
2 – PC133 256Mb SDRAM
1 - Sapphire 256 PCI Video Card

I bought 2 SDRAM sticks from newegg.com that I was told would be compatible with my computer. I really didn’t think anymore about my purchase until it arrived today. I install the new hardware in the compaq and once done I tried to boot the computer, it wouldn’t power on. I quickly found that the memory I was told would be compatible with my computer was defiantly not.

At this point it was no big deal. I have other computers here that the memory would be compatible with.

I went to my other computer and replaced the memory and all was well…..

Later this evening I was looking at my system properties information and I became confused. My computer was only showing 256MB of RAM installed when it should have been showing 512MB of RAM

My Issue:
I looked at my packing list from newegg.com and it showed that I paid for 2 – 256 PC133 SDRAM.

I looked on the ram it self and the sticker showed 256Mb PC133
I looked at the packing that the ram came in it says AC133x64/256/8c

But what I don’t understand is why my computer would only show the RAM at 128MB per stick. I have tested the RAM in two computers and each with the same result.

Anyway I am not sure if I am doing something wrong or if they made a BIG mistake and sent me the wrong memory. I do plan to call newegg.com this morning but I would like to know what you all think.

Other Info:
The numbers on the sticker are:
AVE6432U40A3133AVA
12210014787101205HB this number is below the bar code

The number in the Ram SI6006ILLDTK the 1 may = I

 

[paparazi]

Newer PC133 fitted in older machines often only reports half it's size.
Basically it's inconpatible with your particular motherboards although it will probably run just fine.

Point is you paid for 2 X 256 so you want it to work to it's full capacity, so I'm afraid it's got to go back.

Crucial do gaurantee compatibility with there ram so are the prefered supplier in such cases.
Martin



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[cdogg]

Martin's definitely on the right track here...

It is true that newer PC133 have trouble in older machines because they are more dense now than when PC66 and PC100 first came out. However, "older" normally refers to PII boards and occasionally PIII boards that used the Slot CPU platform.

But from my experience, newer PIII boards (socket CPU versions) rarely have trouble with PC133. So we would need to which type of CPU you have for starters.

Secondly, Compaq PC's of this era were extremely stingy on the kind of memory they were compatible with. This was part of the "proprietary movement" that gave Compaq and some other manufacturers a bad rep. So that explains perhaps why you had trouble in the beginning...

But now that you are on a different PC (non-Compaq or Dell I assume), then you have a different issue. Here's what I recommend you try or look at:

1) First and foremost, take all sticks out.
2) Place only one stick of the "new" PC133 you bought into the system
3) If it registers properly, try the same with the other stick.
4) If both register properly when by themselves, then try both together using the FIRST 2 DIMM slots on the motherboard.

If you still have problems, then what brand did you go with? A generic brand could be the cause...

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
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[garebo]

You may also want to consider installing the latest bios for your pc, that may help.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[garebo]

Another thing, not defending newegg but they are usually pretty good.
What you could do is contact crucial and get the correct numbers from them for the ram you need.
From your posting it seems you originally had pc100 and the new ram is pc133. Paparazi and cdogg both pointed out that pc133 may not be good for your pc, perhaps you should work with pc100. If newegg doesnt have pc100 try local shops in your city,town. You can get them online at various forums that have buy\sell sections, anandtech and techimo are great places for that, honest people for the most part.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[garebo]

One other thing i forgot to mention when i said newegg is usually pretty good. Could be you got a "newbie" that handled your sale, or maybe you didnt point out you already had pc100 ram. All i am saying is it could be an honest error all the way around. They are good at returns, though, i highly reccommend newegg but i dont have any stock in their company, lol. But i have bought and returned parts from them.



Good advice + great people = tek-tips