Need Computer help: RAM compatibility

[jwilliams3]

First off with the addition of some new programs and such I wanted to update the speed and abilities of my computer. So I went and searched ebay for some new RAM. Currently the computer has 2 512MB cards of RAM for a total of 1GB (1024MB). The computer is a Dell Dimension 3000 3. 0Ghz PC3200 w/400mhz bus (I think) that uses DDR memory.



Well I get the RAM today in the mail and it install it. Well I get it installed.

First off the the computer made some beeping noises and would not load up.

So I take out the new memory stick and replace the 1 512 stick I pulled. .

Voila back to normal with the old memory installed.



At this point I start to send an email to the company that sold me the ram off of Ebay and have a brain fart... .

I take the computer cover off again and remove both 512MB sticks and just install the single 1GB stick I just received and voila the computer works like normal.



As a side note before the dilemma I already ordered another single 1GB stick to match this one.



Will mismatched RAM (512 and a 1024) not play together?



When installing RAM is there anything I need to input into the computer to let it know? or does it automatically recognize memory changes?



Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[nickleinonen]

some MB's will handle mismatched memory, some won't. if you match the channels, you should be ok [channel A or 0 both the same ram value [eg: 1gb], channel B or 1 same value [eg: 512mb]]



you also need to make sure the ram is properly seated on the MB. . if all the stuff you got is ddr400 [pc3200] it should work ok together

 

[jwilliams3]

Nick,

The RAM was seated correctly. I tried switching the banks it was placed in vice versa and it still didnt work together.

I am kind of thinking maybe the 512MB sticks are 333mhz (does that make sense?) and they wont work with the newer 400mhz stuff?



Let me know what you think?



Also can you explain the "channel" stuff to me?

Thanks

 

[E7mack96]

The memory that you are installing has to be installed in matched pairs to work. 2 512's ok, 2 1 gig's ok, no dice the way you did it.

 

[jwilliams3]

Thanks MACK, thats what I was beginning to think.

The other memory stick should be here by Monday or so

 

[Bob Wagner]

Ram it



Happy New Year Justin

 

[nickleinonen]

if the old memory is pc2700[ddr333] you can force the new memory to operate at 333 in the bios, so you can use all the memory you have [more at slower speed is still good]



as for the channels, you probably noticed on your motherboard [assuming you have 4 ram slots] that there are 2 different colors. match one color of slot with one size of memory [both 512's in matching color slot, both 1gb's in matching color slot] my 2 pc's MB's are setup differently. one has white-white-black-black as the arrangement for ram. the other has blue-green-blue-green



both my pc's have 2gb ram, one has 4x 512 pc3200, the other has 2x 1gb pc2700



i am no pc expert, i know enough to make things work, and enough to build a pc [i stripped a store purchased one and rebuilt it as a htpc], but as for troubleshooting, i can't do too much [i reformat & reload windows when i get into trouble]

 

[jwilliams3]

LOL BOB!! Happy New year too you and your family! It would be nice to sit down and have dinner with you and Marco again (and Mark C. of course!)



Nick,

My Mobo only has 2 slots that accept 1MB each.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

jwilliams3,



Enter the information on your PC at this site and it will tell you what type of RAM you need. It gives you compatibility and all question are answered. I let it scan my system too.



I like it.





http://www.crucial.com/index.asp