Computer help.

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 5:27 pm

Before I get into it, I want to say hey to all of you I mean it's been a long time. School, work, it's so crazy. Anyway, I added two ram chips in my computer both 512mb but when I check my system properties it only reads 256. Do any of you guys know why this is happening?

Post by **odditude** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:45 pm

Three likely possibilities:
1. Your motherboard is not compatible with 512MB DIMMs. RTFM to check.
2. Your motherboard is not compatible with those specific DIMMs. Try another brand.
3. Your motherboard or the new memory is defective.

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:38 pm

Rtfm? If it isn't compatible why doesn't my ram say zero or something? It still reads it just not the right amount.

Deathlike2 · Post by **Deathlike2** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:42 pm

When you buy RAM, make sure the manufacturer's website confirms that it is compatible with your mobo.

ZH/Franky · Post by **ZH/Franky** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:57 pm

Also, make sure that your mobo supports the amount of ram that you want installed.

Mine supports up to 8gb of ram (though I have 2gb).

...I doubt that the ram isn't compatible with his mobo, just that the amount is too much. since he calls 1gb and upgrade, but it only sees 256mb.

I assume you had 256mb before you went and got the two 512mb sticks right?

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:31 pm

Nope I only had 160mb. Thats why I'm sure the chips work with my Motherboard. I think it's something with windows itself.

Deathlike2 · Post by **Deathlike2** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:43 pm

Windows reports what it has been told by the BIOS.

If the BIOS doesn't see it, then Windows doesn't either.

ZH/Franky · Post by **ZH/Franky** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:35 pm

Deathlike2 wrote:Windows reports what it has been told by the BIOS.

If the BIOS doesn't see it, then Windows doesn't either.

And the mobo only supports up to 256mb ram probably. Hence, it only shows windows that exact amount.

Mike, give us the exact brand and model name of your mobo. And, the exact name of the BIOS used, along with the exact version number.

And other etc details that might prove useful.

PS: Are you a member of FantasyAnime forums per chance? (name identical, and the avatar is also the same kind that "Mike" would have there).

Post by **odditude** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:47 am

Mike wrote:Rtfm? If it isn't compatible why doesn't my ram say zero or something? It still reads it just not the right amount.

Yes, to both. It will say zero, or it will say "something." In your case, it's saying "something" because it is able to address the chips partially.

casualsax3 · Post by **casualsax3** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:13 am

Are you mixing this RAM with your old RAM?

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:12 am

Nope they are too new chips. How can I find what kind of motherboard I have, and what bios version etc? Is there anyway to update bios? Also, just because it says 256 ram does that mean thats all I'm using or they just aren't showing the rest and the other amount is still affecting my computer?

Deathlike2 · Post by **Deathlike2** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:18 am

Use CPU-Z or WhatCPU to find out some info on your mobo.

Also, you sure you didn't buy a dual channel set of memory... those are grouped what it would be total, not each stick having that amount.

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:50 am

As we all know I have an old computer just to throw that in there. But I am sure, they are 2 512mb chips. I mean there is know way it can say 256. It makes no sense.

EDIT:

WhatCPU Gave this.
Windows NT Version 5.1, build 2600, Service Pack 3, v.3311
CPU GenuineIntel, Features Code 0183F9FF, Model Code 00000665, 399 MHz
Has MMX, No SSE, No SSE2, No 3DNow,

Speeds adding to 1 Register 2 Registers 3 Registers 4 Registers

32 bit Integer MIPS 319 492 592 602
32 bit Float MFLOPS 130 182 292 287
64 bit Float MFLOPS 93 193 294 291
32 bit MMX Int MIPS 582 834 804 486

32 bit Integer MIPS 810M instructions of r=r+1 correct result
32 bit Float MFLOPS 810M instructions of r=r+1 correct result
64 bit Float MFLOPS 810M instructions of r=r+1 correct result
32 bit MMX Int MIPS 810M instructions of r=r+1 correct result, 2 adds/instruction

CPU-Z reads the correct amount of ram.

Deathlike2 · Post by **Deathlike2** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:56 am

It is reasonable to guess that the RAM slots can't hold an individual 512MB stick, especially since you have provided ZERO info on your mobo.

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:08 am

I did.

Post by **odditude** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:09 am

I'm assuming you have a 400MHz Pentium II or Celeron. Older 100MHz-bus boards (or 66MHz if it's a Celeron) do not support 512MB DIMMs - the max will be 128MB or 256MB.

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:22 am

So the rest of it is waisted space?

Post by **odditude** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:28 am

Each slot will only read a max of 128MB (or if you're lucky, 256MB). Not wasted, per se, but you'll need to find enough smaller modules to fill each slot to maximize your board's potential.

funkyass · Post by **funkyass** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:40 am

take the ram back, get a faster computer.

sweener2001 · Post by **sweener2001** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:58 am

i'm very surprised that you're still running a computer that old, and also that you are bothering to try and upgrade it.

keeping the case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse, 500 bucks will get you something really decent. comparatively, anyway. i'd save towards that.

100 dollar cpu
60 dollar mobo
1-150 for RAM
150 videocard

Post by **odditude** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:44 pm

funkyass wrote:take the ram back, get a faster computer.

QFT.

sweener2001 wrote:keeping the case

BAD idea. A case from 1998 is highly unlikely to have good airflow. Even a crappy $10 case is likely to have better airflow and cooling than a 10-year-old case. Also, the accompanying 10-year-old power supply is going to get you nowhere fast.

Save a little money and keep an eye on slickdeals or whatnot for a cheap computer. Then upgrade the RAM on that if necessary.

sweener2001 · Post by **sweener2001** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:44 pm

didn't think of that

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:38 pm

Ok guys thanks for the help, I can always count on you guys.

Gil_Hamilton · Post by **Gil_Hamilton** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:25 pm

odditude wrote:
funkyass wrote:take the ram back, get a faster computer.
QFT.

sweener2001 wrote:keeping the case
BAD idea. A case from 1998 is highly unlikely to have good airflow. Even a crappy $10 case is likely to have better airflow and cooling than a 10-year-old case. Also, the accompanying 10-year-old power supply is going to get you nowhere fast.

Save a little money and keep an eye on slickdeals or whatnot for a cheap computer. Then upgrade the RAM on that if necessary.

Also...
Wouldn't a '98 case most likely be AT instead of ATX?

And even if it is ATX, the power supply wouldn't be a modern one.
Instead of the the 24-pin motherboard connector and 4-pin CPU connector, it'd have the old 20-pin power connector and nothing else.

And no PCIE or SATA power connectors, though it's possible to build a reasonably nice system that doesn't need them.

And only a true masochist would run Windows XP on a Pentium II.

Post by **odditude** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:39 pm

Gil_Hamilton wrote:Also...
Wouldn't a '98 case most likely be AT instead of ATX?

Not likely. Slot-1 AT motherboards are fairly rare, socket-370 ones even moreso. A 400MHz P-II or Celeron would be a second-generation chip, and the likelihood of an AT board supporting them is slim-to-none.

Gil_Hamilton wrote:And even if it is ATX, the power supply wouldn't be a modern one.
Instead of the the 24-pin motherboard connector and 4-pin CPU connector, it'd have the old 20-pin power connector and nothing else.

And no PCIE or SATA power connectors, though it's possible to build a reasonably nice system that doesn't need them.

...which I simplified as "going to get you nowhere fast."