Memory

[Oldtimer]

I have run into something that maybe some one
else can explain. Because of the cheap SDRAM
memory out there, I decided to increase my
128meg of RAM- which I am finding out is no
longer sufficient. I purchased two addition
128meg PC133 as the original RAM was PC133. When I added the first additional chip
everything fine and had 265megs of RAM. The third new chip, things went blooey. At times
I would get that horrible beep telling me the
system was not operable. After re-installing
the chip several times, it finally recognized
the total memory 384 megs or thereabouts, but
then got a fatal error, and had to remove the
chip and do a start up from a Start Up disk.
By moving the chips around, each one will
work individually or in pairs after much
juggling. Almost appears to be a bad socket
for the third chip. The mother board a ABIT
BE6/II, running Pentium 3/500. The computer
runs great on 256megs of ram. Have received
some great assistance from this board in the
past.... Thanks, "Oldtimer"

[Tom Pico]

This is a rather common problem with BX boards, especially if all three chips are not the same. To quote www.bxboards.com - FAQ

"38)My motherboard does not work with all DIMM slots populated!

We hear this a lot and feel your pain! Unfortunately SDRAM compatibility is hit and miss and most, if not all, mainboard work best with only 1 DIMM slot populated - especially when overclocking - sad but true

While many boards work just fine, expect overclocked stability to be reduced - especially when bus overclocking! "



[This message has been edited by Tom Pico (edited 03-22-2001).]

[BBA]

Personally, I never had any problems with mixing ram on BX motherboards...but I know it did effect most via chipset boards.

But I think it was a design problem in power consumption of the slots vs the motherboards voltage regulators capability.

I guess I have been luckly with all my Abit boards and Epox boards...I've filled all slots and even mixed PC66/100/133 and ECC/Non-ECC.

I gues you just have to be lucky.

[Oldtimer]

Thanks for the response on the Memory situation--and I suspect the response from Tom is right on the money (tears). The system is working great with 256. Interesting what you find out!.. Oldtimer