Please Help!! Replacing RAM

G Strout · Post by **G Strout** » 14 Jun 2001 3:54 pm

Is anyone familiar with the replacement of RAM chips? My question is: My computer has 2 banks of 1 chip each...Does the new chip (128K) replace the smaller memory chip in slot 1 or do I just slam it in slot two? Or am I just totally out to lunch on this...and probably should take the computer to the shop? (I already have the new RAM chip however.)Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Gary

George Rozak · Post by **George Rozak** » 14 Jun 2001 5:23 pm

Gary,

If your computer is using 2 banks with one slot for each bank, then your system is most likely using DIMMs for memory (SIMMs would require 2 modules per bank on a Pentium class computer). On most systems using DIMMs you should probably be able to add the 2nd module to the 2nd bank (slot) with no problems. It's best to check your motherboard documentation if you have access to it though. Some older motherboards may not support 128 Meg modules, & occasionally you may need to use the larger module in the 1st bank. Also, on some older motherboards you may need to access CMOS & configure the system for the total RAM. I'd go ahead & try inserting the module in the 2nd slot (make sure the computer is powered down) first. Most likely it will work. If not, it shouldn't harm anything.

Hope this helps,

George

G Strout · Post by **G Strout** » 15 Jun 2001 9:12 am

Thanks George. I will try just that. I am planning it as a weekend project of sorts. So it will be Sunday before I tear into it. Thanks again. Gary

Mark Krutke · Post by **Mark Krutke** » 15 Jun 2001 7:17 pm

George,
How would I configure the computer, or access the CMOS? I also just put in a ram stick (128mb) for my computer which had a 64 stick in the first slot, and it didn't show up that it was there when I went into System Properties to check it. All the numbers check out, being the right stick, and the box in the advanced area isn't checked to where the computer would limit the memory (in Sys. Prop.). I still can't get it to recognize the additional ram. What do you think?[This message was edited by Mark Krutke on 15 June 2001 at 08:17 PM.][This message was edited by Mark Krutke on 15 June 2001 at 08:18 PM.]

George Rozak · Post by **George Rozak** » 15 Jun 2001 8:47 pm

Mark,

Most newer systems will autodetect total RAM, but on an older system, there may be a CMOS configuration setting that requires you to enter total system RAM.

You can access CMOS by hitting a certain key (or combination of keys) during the initial boot process, before the operating system loads. Most newer computers seem to be using the Delete key to access CMOS, but it could be any key or key combination, depending on your system. Usually it will flash a message to you during the initial boot process telling you to hit a certain key to enter Setup (CMOS). If you don't see the visual message, you will need to check your documentation for the right key or combination.

You may want to write down the current settings before you change anything in the CMOS though, as a mistake could cause your system not to boot. Not all CMOSs are the same, so you'll want to look for instructions on the bottom of the screen to determine how to change settings and then save your changes. On most systems, settings can be changed either by negotiating a menu using the arrow keys or by using certain keys on the keyboard to change settings and save the changes.

Again, make sure you document any settings before changing them, & also keep in mind that if your system is using an older motherboard, it might not support 128 Meg DIMMs.

Hope this helps,

George

Craig Allen · Post by **Craig Allen** » 15 Jun 2001 9:04 pm

Let's see if I can simple this up for ya.

There is a spec. refered to in Nanno Seconds. (N.S.) It too is noted on the ram when you buy it. Sometimes, similar ram is not compatable because the speed is not the same, or at the very least close. I forget what I am running at this point, but i learned this by replacing ram, and finding that it wasn't gonna work.

Take the newer ram, and put it in slot #1.

And, As George has said, you need to get in to your BIOS. As he explained, it shouldn't be hard. As you are booting, and before you get to the Windows boot screen, hit 'delete';
or 'F1'; or 'F8'. Change from OS-2, to NON OS-2, and you should have it licked.
This option should be in your CMOS option.
Hit F-10, then yes, and you should be on your way.

The ram is there, and it know's that it's there, but it's just not showing it to you.
I hope I've helped more than hurt.

C YA

George Rozak · Post by **George Rozak** » 15 Jun 2001 9:06 pm

One other thing Mark... During the boot process, before the operating system loads, you should see the system inventorying the total amount of memory detected during the POST (Power On Self Test). It should just display a message to the screen while counting total system RAM. If the POST is detecting the proper amount of memory as indicated by the screen message, then the problem isn't in the CMOS. If the POST isn't seeing the total memory, then the system's BIOS isn't recognizing the extra module and the problem could be in the CMOS setting for memory.

Also, if you have more than two memory banks in your system, make sure the 128 Meg module is in the next adjacent slot. The original module should be in Bank 0, so Bank 1 would be the next memory bank to fill. And again, some systems may require the larger module to be in the first bank (Bank 0).

George

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 16 Jun 2001 2:22 am

I don't know what brand of PC you have, but many of the Compaq Presario's come up with a memory error the first time you boot up with the new memory. This is not a problem as the BIOS detected the additional memory - actually if you don't get that message on the Compaq's you have a problem.

Steve Frost · Post by **Steve Frost** » 16 Jun 2001 5:42 am

Jack- funny you should mention Compaq. Last weekend my neighbor asked for a hand in adding some RAM. So I removed 2 of the 4 existing 8 Meg units, and swapped them with 16s. When we rebooted, it registered 8+8+16+16. "Total Compaq Memory" = 17Meg!!
:Eek: Seemed to work better , nonetheless. Go figure!

Steve Frost · Post by **Steve Frost** » 16 Jun 2001 5:46 am

Made a typo- the total memory read MINUS 17 MEG. I told him that was perfectly normal in a middleaged computer.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 16 Jun 2001 6:46 am

Steve, that must be an ancient machine. The BIOS must not be set up for that amount of memory. It must be an old 486 machine??

Mark Krutke · Post by **Mark Krutke** » 17 Jun 2001 1:26 pm

I suppose others may run into what I came across: I bought a PNY, 128mb RAM stick (100PC DIMM type) that matched my computer per the store manual. I put it in, next to my 64 stick, being first. The instructions said that on most computers it will automatically recognize the additional RAM, but mine didn't recognize it. Not knowing the configuring method that George was talking about, I just took it back and got a different on with the same specs. Same thing happened - no go. I took that one back and they had one more left, but this one, having the SAME specs, had a different model number on the bottom of the box than the first two. The chips on the stick were horizontal, also, I noticed, compared to them being vertical on the other sticks. It worked!

So...even though the package displays the same specs (128 RAM, PC100, DIMM), There is the possibility of 2 different variations within the 1 type of stick, as in my case.

Thanks.