Dual Memory Upgrade Failed!

[sullirock]

(1) I have TWO 512MB Dual Channel PC3200 Platinum OCZ memory sticks. Equals ONE GIG.

(2) I added TWO 1024MB Dual Channel PC3200 Platinum OCZ memory sticks. Equals 2 GB.


I originally had (1) in DIMM 1 and DIMM 3. So Dual Channel was activated.

and

Then I added (2) to DIMM 2 and DIMM 4. Hoping for the same effect as (1).


However, that wasn't the case. My computer went through the boot up stage and then just sat there right before Windows XP started up. I had nothing but white letters with BIOS specs and stuff.

So, I decided to switch (1) and (2).


I put (1) in DIMM 2 and DIMM 4.

and

I put (2) in DIMM 1 and DIMM 3.


Same effect as before: my computer just sat there right before Windows would normally start.

I then put (2) in by itself into DIMM 1 and DIMM 3. It worked. So I know it isn't the new memory that is causing the problem.

So my next thought is that it is possibly DIMM 2 and DIMM 4 that are the problem.

So I stick (2) into DIMM 2 and DIMM 4. Worked fine. And they are in those slots right now.

I just wish I could run all 4 of them together. They are the same brand (OCZ), speed (PC3200), the same latency (2-3-2-5), and they are both DUAL CHANNEL.

Thanks for your input and your patience in reading this long question.

[Hottentot]

Hello

Which motherboard are you using ?

It may be that your motherboards does not support 3 gig of memory, or that you may have to go into the BIOS and make some changes to your memory timings.

Either way it may be simpler to just have 2 Gb of memory and sell the 2x512mb. There is no noticeable advantage of 3Gb over 2Gb on standard applications in Windows XP.

[aidanjt]

Mixing different module sizes is ugly as sin and isn't very well supported on most motherboards, just flog the 1GB kit on ebay or something, not as if you'll use it.

[sullirock]

Hello

Which motherboard are you using ?

It may be that your motherboards does not support 3 gig of memory, or that you may have to go into the BIOS and make some changes to your memory timings.

Either way it may be simpler to just have 2 Gb of memory and sell the 2x512mb. There is no noticeable advantage of 3Gb over 2Gb on standard applications in Windows XP.

I have an Abit AI7 and the manufacturer says it supports up to 4GB of RAM.
Here is the link to the MoBo: http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/...es=1&model=147
Also, the MoBo Manual said that it will change what needs to be changed in the BIOS when installing or removing memory units.

[aidanjt]

I have an Abit AI7 and the manufacturer says it supports up to 4GB of RAM.
Here is the link to the MoBo: http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/...es=1&model=147
Also, the MoBo Manual said that it will change what needs to be changed in the BIOS when installing or removing memory units.

Yes, support up to 4GB of ram, as in 4x1GB sticks.. As in with all the same chips, some motherboards can handle it, many can't.. and in the case of the AI7, it's a bad idea to use 4 DIMMs even if you could as it disables PAT. Just sell the 1GB pair, you wont use it even if it did work.

[-ChEM-]

the manufacturer might be the same but the chips definitely wont be

btw whats PAT

[aidanjt]

Performance accelleration technology, it's an intel chipset thingy.. it only works with 2 sticks, basically it cuts down on latency during memory transactions

[sullirock]

They don't tell you that in the Manual. Thanks.