Memory question

[sm2001]

Yesterday I was trying to upgrade my PC from 64MB to 128MB by adding a 168pin 64MB SDRAM chip. I already had in existance two 32MB chips. Now, my manual didn't say that memory had to be added in any certain configuration. However, I cannot get the 64MB chip to work with both of the 32s installed. But each one will work by itself bringing the PC to only 96MB. When both are installed it doesn't go any higher than 96MB. I've only got 3 banks on the motherboard. It is a dataexpert board. Should this be working for me, or does memory have to be added in like configurations? Thanks for the help.

[Roy]

64s and 32s should work together without problems. I've heard it's recommended that the largest sticks be in the first banks, followed by the smaller ones.

[Decklord]

Before I awnser, check if your original RAMS is not made by IBM or COMPAQ because those chips are not compatible with normal SDRAM. IF not, I think I know what it is. I had the same problem. In fact, windows is not able to manage RAM on the motherboard if not placed in pairs. It means that you should have at least 2 chips of 32 RAMS and 2 of 64 RAMS. If not, you must have chips of the same amount of RAM. Ex: 3X32 RAMS. Tahts why windows don't get more than 32 RAMS on your chips of 64.

[Roy]

SDRAM does NOT have to be used in pairs.

[LJE2]

Decklord
If SDRAM had to be installed in pairs why would a motherboard manufacture put 3 DIMMS slots on the board.

[This message has been edited by LJE2 (edited 06-21-99).]

[Decklord]

If not used in pair, SDRAM must be all of the same amount of RAM and you must have at least two of 'em. If not your losing RAM. I've got a friend who had just one chip of 128 RAM and his computer, in fact windows, was not able to use all of his RAM. He was losing RAM's just because he just had one chip.

But I'm talking of my experience.... I may be wrong.

[This message has been edited by Decklord (edited 06-21-99).]

[LJE2]

Decklord
I'm afraid you are misinformed about SDRAM, the memory bus in a Pentium, Pentium II or Pentium III motherbord is a 64 bit bus, SDRAM is 64 bit memory, therefore you can add 1 stick of SDRAM at a time in any configuration that your motherboard allows (some of the older motherboards did not recognize any memory module larger than 32 M), 72 Pins SIMMS are 32 bit memory, since the memory bus on a Pentium, PII and PIII is 64 bit, 72 pin SIMMs had to be installed in pairs except in the case of Proprietary motherboards such as Packard Bell and a few others.

[Decklord]

Well, you make me remember that my friend had an old motherboard. Thanx for the information and excuse me for my stupid error. I will go to bed a little less dumb tonight http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

Thanx all
Decklord

[This message has been edited by Decklord (edited 06-21-99).]

[This message has been edited by Decklord (edited 06-21-99).]

[LJE2]

Deckload
I hope you didn't get the impression, I was implying that you were stupid, I was not and I appoligize to you if you felt that way, I was just pointing out that you were misinformed and was giving you more information so you could understand.

[Decklord]

Don't worry LjE2, I'm not angry at all. In fact, I prefer to be informed on somewhat that I was misinformed than continue on that way. Your doing great job all!!!!

Decklord

[LJE2]

SM2001
I went to Data Experts website, the only motherboards they had listed were old motherboards that were built for the IBM and Cyrix chips, if this is your motherboard being as old as it is, it might not support more than 96 M, if you install the 64M module and one of the 32 M modules does it recognize 96 M? When the 64 M module is installed by itself does it recognize it as 64M?

[Bleeding Edge]

Additionally, ECC modules use 72-bit chips. On the older simms it would be 36-bit.

From what I gather, ECC and non-ECC modules don't work together well in most systems. If at all.

[sjs74]

Here's what I think the problem is:

I'm not familiar with the mainboard you mentioned, but I once had the exact problem with some of the early ASUS mainboards to use dimms.

You can only use all 3 slots if all the chips are 32 meg dimms. If any of your chips are more than 32 you can only use 2 slots. The Asus manual even said this, it is just easy to ignore. I would check your MB manual to see if 32 + 32 + 64 is an acceptable configuration for that board.

[jayzad]

sm2001
What happened to you ? I like reading this post, but please post and let use know how its going. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by jayzad (edited 06-22-99).]

[sm2001]

I got ahold of two additional 64mb chips from a friend. With all three on the board my memory successfully came up to 192MB. But even with these other two 64 meg chips, if used in conjuction with only 1 32 chip, works fine to 96mb. But with both 32's and the 64, nada, only 96. I think I can talk him into a trade for the two 32 chips for one 64. 128 meg is all I wanted. Thanks for the discussion of my problem but it seems to be a unique one.