Now I've done it........

[PatsyC]

Ordered new memory and got it. Thought I could just pop it in and everything would go okay. NOT..........

First, I ordered a 128MB 16x64 PC100 Non-Parity Unbuf DIMM 3.3V SDRAM. According to all I asked this should have been okay.

What I got says PC133 SDRAM 128MB stamped on it though the packing slip says they sent exactly what I ordered.

Put it in and everything starts going haywire. One startup time it says that A fatal exception OE has occured at 015F:BFF7C845, the next startup the exception is at 0157:00000151. Then one time we get up all the way, then the screen goes black (this is NOT my screensaver!). One time my mouse goes dead. Each time I have to reset the machine and then I get a new problem. What's happening? Does anyone know?

The memory came from AccessMicro and I have heard only good things about this place but there can always be a lemon.

Just to refresh all you kind people's memory my computer is a MaxTech 3000 Intel Celeron 400 MHz with 32MB that is expandable to 256MB (2 DIMM slots). This is my first try at an upgrade and I guess I'm getting it wrong!

Sorry for the long post. Just trying to give yall all the info I can. Oh yeah, I took that pesky memory out and my computer runs fine although I am back to only 32MB.

Help me if you can! All advice is greatly appreciated!

[bdog]

try removing the 32 mb and only putting in the new 128 stick. Sometimes differnt types of memory cause conflicts with each other.

[DHatAVI]

I'm not clear about whether you had both sticks of ram installed at once, or if the 128 meg stick was installed on it's own.
If you had both at once, then I would definitly try the 128 on it's own.

If the 128 meg stick was installed on its own, then check to see if it is properly recognized in the BIOS (this may show up as something like 134144 K)

David

[PatsyC]

Oh yeah - didn't tell you that did I? First time I put in the 128MB by itself in the slot where the 32 was. When I did this I got black screen. Rebooted and got fatal error #1.

Took 128MB out and put 32MB back in in its original slot and put the 128MB in the other slot. Got fatal error #2, reboot, another black screen, reboot, mouse dead, reboot a screen full of rubbish that I can't read, reboot and when using safe mode to startup, a message that "HIMEM has detected unreliable XMS memory at address 01C00000. Windows XMS driver version 3.95 not installed.

Oh yeah, most of these times, it would never get up far enought to work and the computer would ask me if which safe mode I wanted to come up in. As you can see, a hodpodge of reactions to this memory.

Now 32MB back in by itself and no problems.
Arghhhhhhhh! I know I'm a newbie but I'm not ready to give up! I just don't know if this is a wrong memory problem in spite of ordering what I thought was correct or if there is something that needs to be set in windows that is not getting setup correctly. I can get up to DOS with safe mode, but not all the way up on windows.

All replies appreciated beforehand!

[CMonster]

It sounds like the memory is either defective or not compatible with your system. I would return it and request a proper replacement or refund.

[jonathankeeping]

Hi PatsyC,

If HIMEM.SYS errored when you booted into Windows safe-mode, that is a sure sign that your RAM is faulty. This could have been due to a static electricity build up, or a number of other possible reasons. However it maybe possible that AccessMicro provided you with a non PC-100 compatable RAM chip. If it were a 66MHz RAM chip then it would in effect be overclocked running at 100MHz, and would can cause all kinds of problems!!!

Your best bet is simply to contact AccessMicro, tell them your situation and see what they have to say. So long as you have proof of purchase they should replace your faulty RAM.

/forum/smile.gif Good Luck /forum/smile.gif

P.S. You might just what to double check the type of RAM you need ie, PC-100 Non-Parity Unbuffered etc...

[Ygor]

Check Reseller Ratings here at SysOpt

[PatsyC]

I don't get it Ygor. Is there supposed to be a rant on my computer manufacturer or the memory manufacturer that I've missed? Please point the way! Thanks - Patsy

[PatsyC]

I don't get it Ygor. Is there supposed to be a rant on my computer manufacturer or the memory manufacturer that I've missed? Please point the way! Thanks - Patsy

[Mntsnow]

Pasty,

What is the Make and Model of your motherboard...or make and model of your computer if it is a dell,compaq.ibm ect? if we can find out what kind of motherboared you have we can tell you exactly what type of memory will work with your system.

Mntsnow

[PatsyC]

Hi MntSnow - sorry I didn't make it clear sooner; the manufacturer is Maxtech (they have a website of same name). I'm the one that didn't get a motherboard manual but...I did get smarter and printed out my system resources report. It says that my Bios is Award, dated 02/27/99, version Award Modular BIOS v4.51PG.

My computer is a MaxTech 3000 Intel Celeron 400 MHz with 32MB that is expandable to 256MB (2 DIMM slots).

Is this enough info? I'm sure tuckered out wrestling with this thing, but I'm game to learn!

The manufacturer response to my problem was that they say I need a PC100 and it should work ('course these are the same ones that didn't send me a motherboard manual). The reseller of the memory says they will have their tech contact me (I'm still waiting). I guess maybe I'm too impatient. I asked if they sent me the wrong thing but so far, no answer.

[Mntsnow]

Patsy,

One more thing...Can you determine which MOBO from Maxtech is yours? Can you get the bios # that shows up when you first turn on your computer....It will be in the lower left corner...just hit the pause/break key so you can write it down. This long number will help determine which motherboard yours is.

Mntsnow

[PatsyC]

Sorry it took so long to get back to you guys. Had to make the drive home and power up the PC to get that info, Mntsnow.

Here is what shows at the bottom of the screen when I power up:

5-18-99-SIS-620--CB649MSIC-00

I hope this is enough to figure this sucker out! Thanks again for the help all of you are giving me. I think I'll take a dinner break and come back. -- Patsy

[Mntsnow]

I havent given up yet patsy! We just ran into some problems here at work (lost one of our ATL's that has a major database backup due tonight!)

Be back soon ( I hope)

Mntsnow

[Mntsnow]

patsy, This is all I could find on your "GVC IN-620" motherboard. (no online manual /forum/frown.gif )
Processor: Support Intel Celeron PPGA CPU family(300~466MHz or up),
Intel Socket 370 CPU
Chipset:
SiS 620/5595 AGP/PCI/ISA Chipset, Support 66/100MHz FSB

System Menory:
2 X 168 pin DIMM
Support up to 8MB~1GB 66MHz/100MHz SRDAM DIMM DRAM(3.3V) (I dont know how its going to get 1 gig of memory with only 2 slots!)

On Board IDE:
2 Bus Master IDE ports (Up to 4 IDE Devices)
Support PIO Mode 3,4 upto 17MB/sec.(Max)
Support Ultra DMA up to 33/66MB/s transfer rate
Expansion Slots:
1 X ISA (share with PCI)
4 X 32 bit Bus Master PCI slots (Include 1 shared)
ON Board I/O:
1 FDD Port (720K/1.2M/1.44M/2.88M format)
2 Serial Ports (UART 16C550 Supported)
1 Parallel Port (SPP/EPP/ECP mode)
2 USB (Universal Serial Bus) Poets
PS/2 Mouse and PS/2 Keyboard Connectors
1 VGA Port
MIC, Line-In, line-Out, MIDI Port
Integrated VGA
Integrated H/W 3D AGP Graphic Controler(2X mode),
share Frame Buffer Architecture.
Integrated Sound
ESS Solo-1 PCI 3D Audio Chip.
BIOS:
AWARD BIOS 2M Flash ROM, with green,
Plug and Play
Formfactor:
Micro ATX size 9.6” X 8.3”
Additional Feature:
Modem ring up function
Wake on Lan header
RTC ALarm power on function
Front side USB header(Optional)

You can try contacting the manufacture and see if they make a manual for it! http://www.gvc.com.tw/eng/asia/Index.htm

Sorry was not of more help.

Mntsnow



[This message has been edited by Mntsnow (edited 11-13-1999).]

[BBA]

And, since your in the "messing with it" phase, see if your hard drive is ATA66 compatible, because your motherboard will do UDMA4/ATA66 with a bios flash, actually at 66!

[PatsyC]

Wow! Aint life amazing when you meet such nice helpful people on the internet! Thanks, guys!

I guess my next step is to get the memory reseller tech to get back to me. Armed with all this info I should be able to get some resolution out of this (make it work! or send it back!).

So off to the salt mines armed with my NEW AMAZING BRAIN FULL OF INFORMATION! (Scary aint it?) I'll let you know the fallout!

[Mntsnow]

/forum/biggrin.gif

Mntsnow