[SOLVED] IBM Aptiva 2140-LQ5 RAM upgrade

TheManOfSteel · 04-15-2009, 12:39 AM

I have read the "Sticky's" at the top of this forum and am still having issues, hence the reason for this post.

I have an IBM Aptiva 2140-LQ5 that has been operating very well on 128MB of RAM for over 10 years. I am now trying to upgrade the RAM.

My motherboard has 3 slots. All capable of carying 128MB each.

System maximum is therefore 384MB of RAM.

I have puchased a number of sticks of RAM. All PC-133, all 128MB.

The system recognises all sticks of RAM individually, regardless of the slot that I put them in.

So, all slots are working, all RAM are working.

The problem is that when I install multiple RAM the system will not recognise anything greater than 128MB. I have even purchased RAM that is all exactly the same as each other just in case that was the issue.

I have removed the CMOS battery to reset the system, I had to correct the clock after doing this but the system did not recognise the new memory.

The machine is running Windows XP.

Any help will be very much appreciated.

Regards

Peter

**belfasteddie** · 04-15-2009, 04:07 AM

I Googled your prob, not a lot to read. However, it would appear fairly common. One guy said he had exactly the same result as you, he got around it by installing pc100 sticks.
I also found this( the link doesn't work).
:Memory
Note: SDRAM DIMM memory for Type 2140 and Type 2142 is
automatically detected and configured. If memory is added, the system will
use the added memory. However, if memory is removed or a DIMM
becomes defective a POST error 164 might occur.
Maximum system memory for Type 2140 and Type 2142 is 384 MB.
001
– Insert the Diagnostics and Utilities CD into the CD/DVD-ROM Drive.
– Power-off the system unit.
– Ensure all DIMMs are seated correctly.
– Power-on the system unit.
– Note any messages, error codes, or symptoms.
»ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/aptiva/2140_42.pdf

thats the repair book says to do for your system. I would enter the BIOS (the F1 key) upon startup and see if it updates. This reminds me of an old Compaq system I have and it beeps and makes you enter the BIOS when you change the memory in it. I'm not sure what the Diagnostics and Utilites CD does. I've never done any work on an Aptiva before. I would give the entering the BIOS a try and than restart the system and see what happen

TheManOfSteel · 04-15-2009, 06:05 AM

Thank you for your reply Belfasteddie. I have run the Diagnostics CD as you suggested. Unfortunately for me the old computer passed with flying colors. So, nothing has changed at this point.

I am able to access system information by using the F1 key as you have suggested. I can even see where it indicates that there is 128MB RAM installed.

However, I do not see anywhere that is gives me an option to change this information.

Thanks again for your help.

TheManOfSteel · 04-15-2009, 11:52 PM

I have purchased 3 x 128MB PC100 RAM. I will see how that goes. I will come backe at a later stage and post the result here.

TheManOfSteel · 04-24-2009, 02:58 AM

An update.

I purchased 3 x 128MB PC100 RAM from http://www.upgradecomputermemory.com...tiva-2140-xxx/ and the problem has been rectified.

384 MB installed 384 MB recognised by the system.

04-15-2009, 12:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
TheManOfSteel Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 5 OS: Vista Ultimate	[SOLVED] IBM Aptiva 2140-LQ5 RAM upgrade I have read the "Sticky's" at the top of this forum and am still having issues, hence the reason for this post. I have an IBM Aptiva 2140-LQ5 that has been operating very well on 128MB of RAM for over 10 years. I am now trying to upgrade the RAM. My motherboard has 3 slots. All capable of carying 128MB each. System maximum is therefore 384MB of RAM. I have puchased a number of sticks of RAM. All PC-133, all 128MB. The system recognises all sticks of RAM individually, regardless of the slot that I put them in. So, all slots are working, all RAM are working. The problem is that when I install multiple RAM the system will not recognise anything greater than 128MB. I have even purchased RAM that is all exactly the same as each other just in case that was the issue. I have removed the CMOS battery to reset the system, I had to correct the clock after doing this but the system did not recognise the new memory. The machine is running Windows XP. Any help will be very much appreciated. Regards Peter Last edited by TheManOfSteel; 04-15-2009 at 12:40 AM.

04-15-2009, 04:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
belfasteddie Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Belfast N.I. Posts: 1,551 OS: Puppy Linux 4.12	Re: IBM Aptiva 2140-LQ5 RAM upgrade I Googled your prob, not a lot to read. However, it would appear fairly common. One guy said he had exactly the same result as you, he got around it by installing pc100 sticks. I also found this( the link doesn't work). :Memory Note: SDRAM DIMM memory for Type 2140 and Type 2142 is automatically detected and configured. If memory is added, the system will use the added memory. However, if memory is removed or a DIMM becomes defective a POST error 164 might occur. Maximum system memory for Type 2140 and Type 2142 is 384 MB. 001 – Insert the Diagnostics and Utilities CD into the CD/DVD-ROM Drive. – Power-off the system unit. – Ensure all DIMMs are seated correctly. – Power-on the system unit. – Note any messages, error codes, or symptoms. »ftp://ftp.pc.ibm.com/pub/pccbbs/aptiva/2140_42.pdf thats the repair book says to do for your system. I would enter the BIOS (the F1 key) upon startup and see if it updates. This reminds me of an old Compaq system I have and it beeps and makes you enter the BIOS when you change the memory in it. I'm not sure what the Diagnostics and Utilites CD does. I've never done any work on an Aptiva before. I would give the entering the BIOS a try and than restart the system and see what happen

04-15-2009, 06:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
TheManOfSteel Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 5 OS: Vista Ultimate	Re: IBM Aptiva 2140-LQ5 RAM upgrade Thank you for your reply Belfasteddie. I have run the Diagnostics CD as you suggested. Unfortunately for me the old computer passed with flying colors. So, nothing has changed at this point. I am able to access system information by using the F1 key as you have suggested. I can even see where it indicates that there is 128MB RAM installed. However, I do not see anywhere that is gives me an option to change this information. Thanks again for your help.

04-15-2009, 11:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
TheManOfSteel Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 5 OS: Vista Ultimate	Re: IBM Aptiva 2140-LQ5 RAM upgrade I have purchased 3 x 128MB PC100 RAM. I will see how that goes. I will come backe at a later stage and post the result here.

04-24-2009, 02:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
TheManOfSteel Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 5 OS: Vista Ultimate	Re: IBM Aptiva 2140-LQ5 RAM upgrade An update. I purchased 3 x 128MB PC100 RAM from http://www.upgradecomputermemory.com...tiva-2140-xxx/ and the problem has been rectified. 384 MB installed 384 MB recognised by the system.