My PC will not recognize the new 256MB RAM stick I just installed... ARGHH!!!!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter pisces7378
  • Start date Start date
pisces7378

pisces7378

New member
I have had 128MB of PC133 SDRAM since I bought this machine 2 years ago. Well I finally made the plunge to get more RAM. I bought a 256MB stick of PC133 SDRAM. I took the casing off the PC... lifted the little white tabs that are at each end of the empty RAM slots, then I slid the stick in. I had some problems closing the little white tabs that hold the RAM in... so rather than force them shut, I just left one of them not fully closed. I assumed that those little tabs are just safty and are not THAT important.

So I switched the computer on and went to the properties tab from MyComputer and it says that I still have 128MB of SDRAM.

I took the casing off again and this time I really fit the RAM in good and was able to shut both of the little white tabs. So I put the whole thing back together again. Switched it on. And STILL only 128 MB of PC133 SDRAM. How in the hell do I get this thing to recognize my new 256MB of RAM? I am going crazy here.
 
What motherboard are you using? Do you have another free DIMM slot you can try the new stick in?

If everything else fails, pull out your exisiting stick and put the new one in its place just to make sure you don't have a bad memory stick.
 
Howdy
Just to clarify, There are two bumps inside the memory slot that must align with two notches on the memory stick. If these don't line up the white tabs won't close properly. If they are not closed the memory stick can not make contact correctly and will not work.

I hope this helps
 
Even if the memory stick is good:

It's always a good idea to have the MB documentation that describes all possible memory configurations that are supported. Some want them in pairs or a larger one in a particular slot. These are usually enumerated exactly in the MB documentation.
If your configuration is not supported, no amount of playing around with that stick of memory will help.
 
Doc is right, you need to consult your motherboard manual. Is the DIMM you ordered single or double sided? Is it ECC or non-ECC? Buffered or unbuffered? What about the existing stick? What configurations does the motherboard support?

If this information is not readily available, then try the following:

Replace the 128MB stick with the 256MB stick and attempt to boot.

--- If the machine boots and recognizes 256MB of memory, then try the 128MB stick in the second slot. If the machine won't recognize the 128 and 256MB modules together, then it is likely that one of them is registered/buffered (and/or ECC) while the other isn't, and you can't mix memory like that.

--- If the machine boots but still says you have 128MB, then it is very likely that you're using a double sided stick and your motherboard doesn't support it.

--- If the machine won't post at all and you just get a black screen, very possibly along with some beeps, then either the memory is bad or the wrong type, and you probably need to exchange it. First put the 128MB stick back in, though, and if you get the same black screen, then you're not properly seating the memory! When installing memory, it is very important that you fully seat it. The white tabs close *themselves* when you've pushed the module in far enough. This requires quite a bit of force, and you have to be very careful that you apply the force directly downward or you can break the slot which is not fun.

Slackmaster 2000
 
Uhhhhh this is a bit embarassing...

Yeah....uhhmmmm I have no clue what mother board I have. I am using at the moment just a Fujitsu Siemens pre-built Media Market PC. When I got it I wasn't savy enough to ask about that kind of stuff... and now I am obviously still not savy enough to find out on my own what kind of MB I have. I opened the PC up to look for a name burned onto the PCB... but there was none. I looked through the shitty literature that came with the PC to see if I could find it out... but it didn't mention it. How do I found out what MB I have? And be as detailed as possible in your description. I am computer goofy.
 
another issue is matching RAM.

it's always a good idea to have 2 of the same RAM sticks. next time you crack open the PC check to see who the manufacterer was for the original RAM stick, then go buy another one of this same RAM since you know that it works in your PC.

when i first boot up my machine the name of my Motherboard ma ufacturer comes up at the top of the screen (i guess this is occuring while the BIOS is being read).
 
Dont worry Pisces, it can always be replaced!. Re-insert the 256M RAM whilst withdrawing the two white sticks to the side. Check that the module clicks twice, once for each side as you reinsert it. It is rare that memory doesn't register. You don't say whether you've tried replacing your 128M with the 256M.
 
Sometimes the order makes a difference. Remove all your memory sticks and try each seperately, then in different orders.
 
I bought my pentium III two years ago and it clearly states that 256 ram cards have not been testing on the motherboard, read the manual and see if you can find something similar.
 
DarkCide said:
I bought my pentium III two years ago and it clearly states that 256 ram cards have not been testing on the motherboard, read the manual and see if you can find something similar.
Click to expand...

My old Intel 440BX-2 motherboard manual said the same thing about 512Mb sticks but when I popped one in, it worked just fine.
 
i thought you could only have matching RAM in a comp ie: 2 sticks of 256 or 2 sticks of 128 not mixing and matching
 
sixforty said:
i thought you could only have matching RAM in a comp ie: 2 sticks of 256 or 2 sticks of 128 not mixing and matching
Click to expand...

Only if you use older EDO memory or RAMBUS memory.
 
I had similar experience recently. I bought 256MB stick from bestbuy at a very good price which my emachine didn't recognize. Upon returning the merchandise a technician at Bestbuy told me I need to buy Kingston brand which is not on sale at the time ... Other people had similar problem I was told... Hope this may be related to your problem...
 
Slackmaster2K said:
Doc is right, you need to consult your motherboard manual. Is the DIMM you ordered single or double sided?....
Click to expand...
Well, DIMM, stands for Dual In-Line Memory Module. Doesen't that make it double sided? As opposed to SIMM - Single In-Line Memory Module?
At any rate, the white clips MUST be closed for it to work, they assure the memory module is seated properly. Additionally, I do believe that you want your largest memory module in the first slot for it to function with "mixed" memory configurations.
 
I just can't stand not knowing what happened to this guy's 256MB of RAM upgrade.
 
Also, for future reference, you don't close the tabs, the memory itself (when pushed in properly) does.
 
chrisharris said:
I just can't stand not knowing what happened to this guy's 256MB of RAM upgrade.
Click to expand...

Yeah, wasn't very nice of him to not update us. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top