Community Newsletter: Q&A: 7/28/06 Computer doesn't recognize the new RAM I installed
- 7/27/06 2:40 PM
Memory install
by pkweis - 7/28/06 8:40 AM In reply to: 7/28/06 Computer doesn't recognize the new RAM I installed by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I beleive HP requires the memor be installed in pairs.
Unrecognized installed computer RAM
by shaggybarker - 7/28/06 8:43 AM In reply to: 7/28/06 Computer doesn't recognize the new RAM I installed by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I hope I am responding to the correct question. It may be that your new memory chips are not compatible with your present memory and/or computer. I do know that the brand name of your computer, the Front Side Bus(FSB), and the type of RAMs that are compatible with your computer configuration are important factors in upgrading memory chips. I would suggest to you as well as the rest of the CNET members who may need help in upgrading memory that you simply go to Crucial.com which is a site that specializes in memory upgrades. They will scan your computer to determine what memory you have already installed and make a recommendation on what memory you can install memory upgrades that are compatible to your computer and present memory. The scan will show you how many memory slots you have, how many RAMs you have installed and where, how many total RAMs you can install and how, and what type of RAms you can install, etc. You can even print the scan for future references. Then they will show you a list of memory upgrades that are compatible with your computer and configuration that you can purchase from them that are guaranteed to work. In seeking an answer to problem, going to this site will at least let you know whether the new memory chips that you have installed are compatible or not with your computer and memory configuration. Good luck.
My sad (but very annoying) tale
by barkerrd - 7/28/06 8:48 AM In reply to: 7/28/06 Computer doesn't recognize the new RAM I installed by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have an eMachines T 3256 PC. It came with 512 MB of RAM. I wanted to boost it up to 1 GB. I went to the Kingston website to determine exactly what I needed to add an additional 512 MB. I purchased the module from an online retailer but it did not work. My PC would not boot.
A techie at eMachines told me that Kingston memory is incompatible with eMachine PCs. I sold the new module on eBay.
This whole scenario did not seem right so I enlisted the help of Steve Bass from PC World. EMachines apologized and told me that the techie had given me wrong information regarding the incompatibility issue.
As it turned out, the second (open) socket on my PC was bad so no module would have worked. EMachines offered to troubleshoot the problem but I did not want to mail my PC away and be without it.
I ended up replacing the original 512 MB module with a new 1 GB module placed in the first (working) socket.
Everything worked fine for months until my hard drive died this month. How do you spell junk?
Don
Kudos to the Experts
by novicecomputergirl - 7/28/06 9:00 AM In reply to: 7/28/06 Computer doesn't recognize the new RAM I installed by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Barry along with the other contributors did a fantastic job to ferret out the challenge and pitfalls of upgrading computer memory. It is humbling to see the depth of knowledge others have on a given subject compared to your own.
I'm sure I speak for many who appreciate the time it took for these experts to share their comprehensive knowledge on this subject. Experts like you make Lee's column a ''must read'' and save the rest of us a lot of time and aggravation by making us a little smarter about what's going on under the hoods of our computers.
Hugs to all these expert contributors for sharing their insights. It is comforting to know that you are here for us.
Beautiful Work!
by Latinlover1 - 7/28/06 9:04 AM In reply to: 7/28/06 Computer doesn't recognize the new RAM I installed by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Barry W.,
You nailed it all right on the button!
Raykirkwood,
Excellent idea to point Jake K. towards the crucial.com website. I am in no way affiliated with Crucial but am very fond of their memory tool. It comes in really handy!
Jake K.,
One last little piece of advice.
I am a also a pro in the computer field and work on all of my friends/family members PC's...as well as my own. What I have a tendency to do when the PC is branded (HP, Dell, etc.) is as follows:
1. I find out if it is still under warranty by going to the manufacturers website or calling their tech support.
1a. If it is still under warranty I won't touch it if it involves opening the case. I tell them to call the manufacturer because 1) opening the case will void the warranty that you already paid for and 2) most, if not all, branded systems are proprietary by nature and it's best to use the very same hardware. 3) with the particular Service Tag No. (as I know to be in Dell's case) they can tell exactly what they originally put into the system and what, if anything, is compatible with it in terms of upgrades.
2. If the warranty has expired, I refer to the crucial.com website, and their memory tool, for exacting specifications of the particular memory modules in the PC. You don't actually have to buy it from them if you think it's too expensive, mind you. You can check other memory manufacturers for pricing with the information garnered from their website. However, in all honesty, you really can't do any better than Crucial and/or Kingston when it comes to memory modules, in my opinion.
Anyway, I was interrupted by an important phone cal and have totally lost my train of thought. I hope this helps and best of luck, Jake K.!
LL1
FBDIMM
by realclone - 7/28/06 9:04 AM In reply to: 7/28/06 Computer doesn't recognize the new RAM I installed by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
In your memory types you left out the latest, FBDIMM, Fully Buffered Dual Inline Memory Modules. The question is just another example of not knowing the exact application when attempting to add RAM. This is a precise business.Read the manual, contact the manufacturer, look it up on the web...in short do all you can to determine just exactly what is required for a new application.
Install Extra Memory To Match
by Antemeridian - 7/28/06 9:11 AM In reply to: 7/28/06 Computer doesn't recognize the new RAM I installed by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If the system already has 1GB, dont add 512MB, add 2 512MB modules and you should be off and running. Has everyone else in the world forgotton this age old basic?
Thanks
by vewert - 7/28/06 9:24 AM In reply to: 7/28/06 Computer doesn't recognize the new RAM I installed by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Thanks for all the suggestions,and all the new information I learned on computer memory. I did finally get a 1GB memory stick and it installed and worked perfectly. So now I have 2 gigs of ram with more space for future upgrades.
A fail proof way to check your systems memory requirements
by MrLatin - 7/28/06 9:50 AM In reply to: 7/28/06 Computer doesn't recognize the new RAM I installed by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Certainly the winning answer gives an enormous anount of detail and good solid advice.. although if I were a laymen (and I'm not) I'd be a little perturbed at ever trying to buy memory on my own after reading it... fortunately there is a simple way to make sure you have made a correct choice and get a decent price and not have to open up your computer till the memory is in your hands... I only upgrade my system memory this way... and I have 20+ years experience. I go to www.crucial.com and I run through their tools which will inspect your machine and tell you exactly what memory will work with your PC, how many modules you need, how many slots you have and how many are available. There is also a tool on the site called Belarc advisor which can help you find out whats on your motherboard and even installed on your ... I never even consider a memory upgrade without checking here first!
Crucial's scanner vs. Crucial's products
by byu1980 - 7/28/06 1:45 PM In reply to: A fail proof way to check your systems memory requirements by MrLatinCrucial's memory scanner detects Rambus memory (RDRAM), but they don't manufacture it. My 4-yr-old Intel-based PC uses an Intel D850MVSE motherboard and has a 2 GB RDRAM capacity. It has 512 MB in two modules now, and I've considered going to 1 GB. But this memory is hard to find now that DDR2 is used everywhere.
Crucial.com was an excellent tip
by Teklord00 - 10/24/07 5:03 PM In reply to: A fail proof way to check your systems memory requirements by MrLatinI used Crucial.com to discover the RAM I ordered is too much for my PC. Great tip regardless however and a site everyone should visit if considering installing additional memory!
ram upgrade
by btchin - 7/28/06 9:56 AM In reply to: 7/28/06 Computer doesn't recognize the new RAM I installed by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
i too am trying to upgrade my ram. i currently have a dell dimension 4600 with hynix memory, ddr sdram 400 mhz, 256 mb x2 (total 512 mb), 184-pin, pc 3200.
i have been looking at some kingston memory. they have two lines, the branded line and the valueram (generic) line. the two lines seem to have very similar specs, but the valueram line is much less expensive. they are claiming that i need to buy the branded line because the generic one may not be completely compatible.
is this true, or should the generic one work just fine?
Computer won't recognize additional memory
by papawterry1949 - 7/28/06 10:00 AM In reply to: 7/28/06 Computer doesn't recognize the new RAM I installed by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The make/model/version of your motherboard could answer your problem if you submitted it...
You might try removing your original stick(s) of memory and put the new stick in it's socket,(1,2 etc)by itself to see if the new RAM is recognized at the correct value.
Windows XP may have an attitude with reduced RAM so watch as the computer first is powered up for the boot screen information. If the boot screen is enabled in the bios you should see your RAM info displayed..
Remember, everyting in your computer will run at the speed of the slowest device,if it runs at all.
Memory, really to work as it was intended should match the original. The motherboard manufacturer should have a listing of your board and the memory that will work correctly.
Good Luck, Terry
HP protection schemes
by johns1234 - 7/28/06 10:26 AM In reply to: 7/28/06 Computer doesn't recognize the new RAM I installed by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you did not buy the appropriate ram module from
HP, it will not work in an HP machine. You can buy
Kingston modules, but you have to buy them from
Kingston, and you need to call them to get the HP
Vendor "certified" module that Kingston builds for
HP. Also, another protection scheme that HP uses is
to specialize certain memory slots, and rank them
out of order. It is best to buy HP ram in pairs and
then call HP tech support to determine where the
pair can be installed. Note the color coding of the
memory slots. Personally, I've stopped buying HP
machines. I buy DELL, because I can configure it as
I need to, and upgrade it in the future for a reasonable cost. HP ram costs more than double the
cost of any other ram.
Proprietary
by djujecmaoseoionnn - 7/28/06 11:16 AM In reply to: HP protection schemes by johns1234I build only custom machines and Use ASUS mb. Never any probs with compatibility. If more people new this option and tried it Dell and all big manufacturers would be hurt. Mine are totally custom specified for specific purpose with only top quality components. Been doen that proprietary road and it was rough. Never again.
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