RAM/BIOS problem?

sickofitall · 08-23-2004, 03:21 AM

Hi, i hope this is in the right forum, not too sure....

I have a problem with my PC and have searched and searched the net to find the answer but can't find a thing so i'm hoping someone on here can help me:

I was running Win98 with 512Mb RAM (2 sticks of 256) and decided to buy some more RAM (a stick of 512mb). Knowing that Win98 has problems with over 512Mb RAM i decided it was time to finally splash out on WinXP.

So, I got XP, backed everything up and did a fresh install of XP. Dowloaded all the updates plus all new drivers for my hardware etc etc. I then installed the new stick of RAM and started to get problems, mainly errors when trying to open IE6 but also problems with windows explorer itself. I removed the new RAM and the computer worked fine, but everytime i put it back in i get the same errors. I thought that maybe my new RAM was incompatible with my old RAM so i tried it with JUST the new RAM in (the stick of 512) and i still get the same problems.

The RAM is TOTALLY compatible with my Motherboard (as far as i am aware judging by the manual) so i dont have a clue whats going wrong.

Here's my specs:

Gigabyte GA-7VA Motherboard (with current, F12, Bios - although CPUz tells me its F9, when my computer starts up it definatly says F12)

NVidia GeForce FX 5200 with 126mb RAM

512MB Ram - 2 x 256 sticks (one is Nanya and one is unbranded, never had any problems with either)

AMD Athlon XP 2000+ Processor

The CPU is running at 1674.4 MHZ

All the RAM is: PC2700 DDR 333MHZ

The new RAM is TZtec

I don't have a clue why its not working as the motherboard can take up to 3 1GB sticks. Is there maybe a power problem? Something in the BIOS need changing?

Thanks in advance for anyone who can help!

Jim

08-23-2004, 05:49 AM

Hi Jim,

You have actually narrowed down your own problem. The new ram is not compatible with your motherboard setup. I think the only solution is to send the new ram back and buy the exact same style and brand that works in the computer. Mix and matching ram is a difficult task and only about 50% of the time do they work if not exactly the same. And, on the newer boards, if not the same, simplly do not work at all. Why not try to swap the ram out for something that matches.

sickofitall · 08-23-2004, 08:40 AM

Hi, thanks for the reply. I'm still a bit confused as to why the RAM doesnt work, its PC2700 DDR 333MHZ just the same as my RAM that does work, and so i cant see a reason why it wont work.

With my 2 sticks of PC2700 DDR 333MHZ 256MB RAM everything runs fine, but when the PC2700 DDR 333MHZ 512MB is in (either on its own or with the others) the computer starts to act up.

08-23-2004, 06:38 PM

Hi,

Are they the exact same brand and exact same model number.....if not, as a rule, no workie in these newer boards.

sickofitall · 08-24-2004, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark3567

Hi,

Are they the exact same brand and exact same model number.....if not, as a rule, no workie in these newer boards.

i've tried the new RAM in the machine on its own and it still gives errors. XP boots up fine but as soon as i try to use internet explorer it starts to go wierd, even though memtest 86+ says its fine.

is it possible the board isnt getting enough power to run a stick of 512mb? i'm not too knowledgable about the insides of computers so i'm clutching at straws here.

08-24-2004, 05:11 AM

Hi,

Don't think that is your issue. Still think it is ram that is not compatible with your board unless it is an exact brand name and exact type. YOu did not state the brand name of each one you have so impossible to tell. If different brands or not exact matches, simply will not work. For example, you can have a stick of PC2700 Value Ram and a stick of PC2700 Infineon and they might both be O.K., but some will work in one motherboard and some will work in other motherboards.

sickofitall · 08-24-2004, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark3567

Hi,

Don't think that is your issue. Still think it is ram that is not compatible with your board unless it is an exact brand name and exact type. YOu did not state the brand name of each one you have so impossible to tell. If different brands or not exact matches, simply will not work. For example, you can have a stick of PC2700 Value Ram and a stick of PC2700 Infineon and they might both be O.K., but some will work in one motherboard and some will work in other motherboards.

Hi

i did put the RAM brand names in my first post. The two that work are: Nanya and an unbranded done, never had a problem with these.

The one that messes things up is TZtec

ALL three sticks are PC2700 DDR 333MHZ

How do I find out what is compatible with the motherboard and what isnt? My board manual says it takes PC2700 DDR 333MHZ and all the RAM i'm using is PC2700 DDR 333MHZ, so i really dont understand the problem.

**twajetmech** · 08-24-2004, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sickofitall

How do I find out what is compatible with the motherboard and what isnt? My board manual says it takes PC2700 DDR 333MHZ and all the RAM i'm using is PC2700 DDR 333MHZ, so i really dont understand the problem.

Go to the Motherboard mfg website and you should find a Qualified Vendor List of compatible ram. You can also go into the bios and up the Vdimm to 2.75V and/or check to see that the timings of all you memory is the same...if not set them all to the lowest speed memory dimm that you have. if that doesn't work I'd say stick with the QVL and return the new memory. You can run CPU-Z to see what your timings are.
twajetmech

sickofitall · 08-24-2004, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twajetmech

Go to the Motherboard mfg website and you should find a Qualified Vendor List of compatible ram. You can also go into the bios and up the Vdimm to 2.75V and/or check to see that the timings of all you memory is the same...if not set them all to the lowest speed memory dimm that you have. if that doesn't work I'd say stick with the QVL and return the new memory. You can run CPU-Z to see what your timings are.
twajetmech

i'll try uping the voltage to 2.75v, is there much risk of damage when doing that?

what should the timings read as? I'm not too knowledgable about the detaisl in the BIOS, is the timing the CAS?

thanks for the help

**twajetmech** · 08-24-2004, 07:56 AM

Ther is no danger in upping the Vdimm to 2.75....most DDR memory can go higher than that, you can always check the mfg website for the warentied Voltage. I have no idea what you timings should be, since you have an AMD set up something like 3-3-3-11 might work, but I'm just guessing Cas or RAS to Cas timing with AMD is beyond my knowledge I'm an Inel guy, you'll have to do a search to find what works best with your mobo and memory...sorry
twajetmech

08-23-2004, 03:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
sickofitall Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 5 OS: XP	RAM/BIOS problem? Hi, i hope this is in the right forum, not too sure.... I have a problem with my PC and have searched and searched the net to find the answer but can't find a thing so i'm hoping someone on here can help me: I was running Win98 with 512Mb RAM (2 sticks of 256) and decided to buy some more RAM (a stick of 512mb). Knowing that Win98 has problems with over 512Mb RAM i decided it was time to finally splash out on WinXP. So, I got XP, backed everything up and did a fresh install of XP. Dowloaded all the updates plus all new drivers for my hardware etc etc. I then installed the new stick of RAM and started to get problems, mainly errors when trying to open IE6 but also problems with windows explorer itself. I removed the new RAM and the computer worked fine, but everytime i put it back in i get the same errors. I thought that maybe my new RAM was incompatible with my old RAM so i tried it with JUST the new RAM in (the stick of 512) and i still get the same problems. The RAM is TOTALLY compatible with my Motherboard (as far as i am aware judging by the manual) so i dont have a clue whats going wrong. Here's my specs: Gigabyte GA-7VA Motherboard (with current, F12, Bios - although CPUz tells me its F9, when my computer starts up it definatly says F12) NVidia GeForce FX 5200 with 126mb RAM 512MB Ram - 2 x 256 sticks (one is Nanya and one is unbranded, never had any problems with either) AMD Athlon XP 2000+ Processor The CPU is running at 1674.4 MHZ All the RAM is: PC2700 DDR 333MHZ The new RAM is TZtec I don't have a clue why its not working as the motherboard can take up to 3 1GB sticks. Is there maybe a power problem? Something in the BIOS need changing? Thanks in advance for anyone who can help! Jim

08-24-2004, 07:56 AM	#10 (permalink)
twajetmech I helped the forums. Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: LGA, NYC Posts: 2,388 OS: XP-Pro Sp2 & XP-Pro Sp2 Tablet Edition, Vista Ultimate My System	Ther is no danger in upping the Vdimm to 2.75....most DDR memory can go higher than that, you can always check the mfg website for the warentied Voltage. I have no idea what you timings should be, since you have an AMD set up something like 3-3-3-11 might work, but I'm just guessing Cas or RAS to Cas timing with AMD is beyond my knowledge I'm an Inel guy, you'll have to do a search to find what works best with your mobo and memory...sorry twajetmech __________________ PSU Selection/Info // Bench test // Thermal Paste // Memory Selection // Bios Beep Codes // CPU-Z// Posting System Specs

08-23-2004, 05:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
mark3567 Guest Posts: n/a OS:	Hi Jim, You have actually narrowed down your own problem. The new ram is not compatible with your motherboard setup. I think the only solution is to send the new ram back and buy the exact same style and brand that works in the computer. Mix and matching ram is a difficult task and only about 50% of the time do they work if not exactly the same. And, on the newer boards, if not the same, simplly do not work at all. Why not try to swap the ram out for something that matches.

08-23-2004, 08:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
sickofitall Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 5 OS: XP	Hi, thanks for the reply. I'm still a bit confused as to why the RAM doesnt work, its PC2700 DDR 333MHZ just the same as my RAM that does work, and so i cant see a reason why it wont work. With my 2 sticks of PC2700 DDR 333MHZ 256MB RAM everything runs fine, but when the PC2700 DDR 333MHZ 512MB is in (either on its own or with the others) the computer starts to act up.

08-23-2004, 06:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
mark3567 Guest Posts: n/a OS:	Hi, Are they the exact same brand and exact same model number.....if not, as a rule, no workie in these newer boards.

08-24-2004, 05:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
mark3567 Guest Posts: n/a OS:	Hi, Don't think that is your issue. Still think it is ram that is not compatible with your board unless it is an exact brand name and exact type. YOu did not state the brand name of each one you have so impossible to tell. If different brands or not exact matches, simply will not work. For example, you can have a stick of PC2700 Value Ram and a stick of PC2700 Infineon and they might both be O.K., but some will work in one motherboard and some will work in other motherboards.