Memory Help!!

[jmk]

Hi,

I need help with a memory upgrade. I have a Pentium 4 2.6g processor and my computer was running a 256mb ddr333 memory chip. My motherboard manual says that it supports ddr266/ddr200 dimm up to 2GB.

So I purchased 2 512MB DDR PC2100 memory chips and installed them. When I re-booted my system it totalled the memory correctly and then crashed when it tried to load windows and said it couldn't find the windows files...config.sys etc.

When I put the old 256MB stick back in it works fine.

What can I do to get the memory to work or have I just blown my money?

Thanks heaps!

You can email me at joelkeane@hotmail.com if you want to

[m6oo]

I'll assume you're running XP. It's wierd that it's complaining about config.sys as this file really isn't used anymore except by DOS-mode programs. See if the system will boot in Safe-Mode (hit f8 a bunch right after the POST).

Usually, the memory speeds are automatically detected by the mobo. But, in case your mobo is a throwback, make sure there's no BIOS or jumper setting related to the memory speed.

Next, try just 1 stick of the new memory at a time. That might reveal a bad stick.

Next, make yourself an ultimatebootcd (www.ultimatebootcd.com). See if you can boot with it with the new RAM installed. If you can, try running the memtest86+ memory diagnostic.

If you still haven't figured it out, you can try taking your RAM to a computer place that has a RAM tester and have them test the RAM for you. Be sure to have them test your known good RAM as well so you know that they're not jerking you around.

Good Luck

[Steggy]

wait, so you ave the 512's and 256 in and it doesnt work? i read the post fast, if thats the case you cant have two different timed sticks in a mobo if you are running them in dual channel mode, I know that much... again, i probly misread your post since im in a hurry to get to art class.

[Swingman]

I think he only has the 2 512 sticks in the computer when it's not working.

He had 256 MB of memory and is trying to get his computer to 1 GB of memory from what I understand.

I had trouble with my computer when I bought generic memory for my Compaq computer. Whenever I installed the generic memory along with my current memory, the computer would crash after 20 minutes or so everytime but would work fine when I took out the new memory.

Anyway, sorry I couldn't be much help. The previous had some good suggestions.
Memory is tricky. The specs tell you it would work on your pc but then when you install it, poof. Maybe HP makes their computers reject 3rd party memory sticks. who knows.