RAM sticks work in one machine not in another

jedw · 07-01-2008, 08:35 AM

Hi
I am trying to upgrade my sisters PC which is an Acer Aspire T-135, it had 256mb of PC3200 DDR. So we bought 2 Gb (2x 1Gb sticks) to replace it.

With both installed the Acer does nothing, with one installed sometimes you will get a scrambled Acer logo on screen.

So we tried the sticks of RAM in my PC which is just a beige box containing allsorts (not a branded machine) and it worked. Although with 2 gigs installed it kept re-setting (power supply issue?) with 1 Gb all was well.

I do wonder whether the Acer simply doesn't have enough power to go around. But surely it can cope with 1 Gb memory modules! that would be ridiculous!

unfortunately i don't know the wattage of the Acer PSU.

**tecknomage** · 07-01-2008, 09:54 AM

How did you select your new RAM?

If you just used written specs you need to be aware that many such specs are missing critical data.

Any RAM you buy for a particular PC must be an exact match to the motherboard. The manufacturer of the motherboard IS the LAST word on what RAM you can use.

A better way to see what RAM you need is to use 4AllMemory's [Check My System] applet.

Using this will download a small, temporary, applet that will read your motherboard and return a WEB page showing you what you have (installed RAM & open slots), and what memory upgrades match your motherboard.

If your motherboard is a brand-name (like my MSI), the page will list the motherboard manufacturer's part number.

I suggest you reinstall the old memory and use 4AllMemory to see what you actually need. Also, suggest you print the page and save for the future.

Of course, you don't have to buy from 4AllMemory but at least you'll know what you actually need.

jedw · 07-01-2008, 10:11 AM

I used Crucial's adviser and they said the acer aspire t-135 could be upgraded using 2x 1Gb PC3200 DDR modules.

So this is what I bought but NOT from crucial themselves.

**wrench97** · 07-01-2008, 12:53 PM

Did you buy the same part number modules that the Adviser gave you, Or the same specs.?

jedw · 07-02-2008, 10:53 AM

Same specs. it was from a MUCH cheaper supplier.

the only thing i can think of is that its a problem with chips on BOTH sides of the memory modules as I've heard this can be a compatibility problem with some motherboards. However i tracked down the motherboard manual (its a gigabyte Ga-k8vm800) and it only mentions that with certain processor / ram combinations double sided memory modules can only run at a maximum speed of DDR333 and not 400.

this doesn't explain why it just gives a blank screen.

**wrench97** · 07-02-2008, 11:03 AM

Just because the advertised specs are the same does mean they are the same modules
You need to get the correct memory for your board, FSB, CPU combination.
That's why the better memory manufactures have configurers and guarantee a match,
if you go to a site like Crucial and copy the part number for the recommended memeory
paste into a Google search and go shopping.

jedw · 07-03-2008, 03:56 AM

nobody here seems to know any more than me.
i'm not some newbie trying to put a square peg in a round hole.
I do however think it is high-density issue.
a quick look at wikipedia told me that.

Brocktree · 07-03-2008, 06:37 AM

Relax man, these techs work really hard for everyone here so give them more respect than that. They're going through a process to find out the source of your problem so it is important that you work with them even if they ask you if you plugged in the computer or not. That being said, good luck with your problem, sounds to me like the memory doesnt match the mobo... a computer that is purchased running 256 mb of PC3200 DDR probably* can't support your custom 1 GB Modules in each slot especially if its not listed on the mobo compatibility list. Try running a memtest of each stick on the machine that works (see if you can see any errors before a restart). I think the frequency being too high would cause it to bsod and reset if you dont freeze the error in the BIOS.

This place sells Ram that is compatible with your mobo.

http://www.pcmemorystore.com/Acer-Aspire-T135-ram.htm

Don't know how good the pricing is though.

jedw · 07-04-2008, 04:03 AM

I heard that "high density" DDR memory will show up as half the capacity on a motherboard which is not compatible.
can anybody confirm or deny this?

07-01-2008, 08:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
jedw Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Win XP Pro SP2	RAM sticks work in one machine not in another Hi I am trying to upgrade my sisters PC which is an Acer Aspire T-135, it had 256mb of PC3200 DDR. So we bought 2 Gb (2x 1Gb sticks) to replace it. With both installed the Acer does nothing, with one installed sometimes you will get a scrambled Acer logo on screen. So we tried the sticks of RAM in my PC which is just a beige box containing allsorts (not a branded machine) and it worked. Although with 2 gigs installed it kept re-setting (power supply issue?) with 1 Gb all was well. I do wonder whether the Acer simply doesn't have enough power to go around. But surely it can cope with 1 Gb memory modules! that would be ridiculous! unfortunately i don't know the wattage of the Acer PSU.

07-01-2008, 09:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
tecknomage TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 928 OS: WinXP Pro SP3	Re: RAM sticks work in one machine not in another How did you select your new RAM? If you just used written specs you need to be aware that many such specs are missing critical data. Any RAM you buy for a particular PC must be an exact match to the motherboard. The manufacturer of the motherboard IS the LAST word on what RAM you can use. A better way to see what RAM you need is to use 4AllMemory's [Check My System] applet. Using this will download a small, temporary, applet that will read your motherboard and return a WEB page showing you what you have (installed RAM & open slots), and what memory upgrades match your motherboard. If your motherboard is a brand-name (like my MSI), the page will list the motherboard manufacturer's part number. I suggest you reinstall the old memory and use 4AllMemory to see what you actually need. Also, suggest you print the page and save for the future. Of course, you don't have to buy from 4AllMemory but at least you'll know what you actually need. __________________ Tecknomage Computer System Specialist IT Technician Last edited by tecknomage; 07-01-2008 at 09:56 AM.

07-01-2008, 10:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
jedw Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Win XP Pro SP2	Re: RAM sticks work in one machine not in another I used Crucial's adviser and they said the acer aspire t-135 could be upgraded using 2x 1Gb PC3200 DDR modules. So this is what I bought but NOT from crucial themselves.

07-01-2008, 12:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,691 OS: Win7	Re: RAM sticks work in one machine not in another Did you buy the same part number modules that the Adviser gave you, Or the same specs.? __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-02-2008, 10:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
jedw Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Win XP Pro SP2	Re: RAM sticks work in one machine not in another Same specs. it was from a MUCH cheaper supplier. the only thing i can think of is that its a problem with chips on BOTH sides of the memory modules as I've heard this can be a compatibility problem with some motherboards. However i tracked down the motherboard manual (its a gigabyte Ga-k8vm800) and it only mentions that with certain processor / ram combinations double sided memory modules can only run at a maximum speed of DDR333 and not 400. this doesn't explain why it just gives a blank screen.

07-02-2008, 11:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,691 OS: Win7	Re: RAM sticks work in one machine not in another Just because the advertised specs are the same does mean they are the same modules You need to get the correct memory for your board, FSB, CPU combination. That's why the better memory manufactures have configurers and guarantee a match, if you go to a site like Crucial and copy the part number for the recommended memeory paste into a Google search and go shopping. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-03-2008, 03:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
jedw Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Win XP Pro SP2	Re: RAM sticks work in one machine not in another nobody here seems to know any more than me. i'm not some newbie trying to put a square peg in a round hole. I do however think it is high-density issue. a quick look at wikipedia told me that. Last edited by jedw; 07-03-2008 at 04:08 AM.

07-03-2008, 06:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
Brocktree Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 14 OS: Vista Ultimate	Re: RAM sticks work in one machine not in another Relax man, these techs work really hard for everyone here so give them more respect than that. They're going through a process to find out the source of your problem so it is important that you work with them even if they ask you if you plugged in the computer or not. That being said, good luck with your problem, sounds to me like the memory doesnt match the mobo... a computer that is purchased running 256 mb of PC3200 DDR probably* can't support your custom 1 GB Modules in each slot especially if its not listed on the mobo compatibility list. Try running a memtest of each stick on the machine that works (see if you can see any errors before a restart). I think the frequency being too high would cause it to bsod and reset if you dont freeze the error in the BIOS. This place sells Ram that is compatible with your mobo. http://www.pcmemorystore.com/Acer-Aspire-T135-ram.htm Don't know how good the pricing is though.

07-04-2008, 04:03 AM	#9 (permalink)
jedw Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Win XP Pro SP2	Re: RAM sticks work in one machine not in another I heard that "high density" DDR memory will show up as half the capacity on a motherboard which is not compatible. can anybody confirm or deny this?