Ram Help

[aviator_boy]

Hi, I had a go at installing new RAM but I came across a problem.

everything was going great, I had my new ram in (512mb) and this is how it was:

Slot 1: 256MB PC3200 (200Mhz)
Slot 2: 256MB PC3200 (200Mhz)
Slot 3: 512MB PC3200 (400Mhz)
Slot 4: Nothing

When I tried to boot up my PC, only on rare occasions it would boot and when It did my computer would turn off at random moments. It doesnt happen when I take out my 512MB.

I am quite confused, could it be a lack of power?? I have a 230V PSU which I know is small but I do not think it should affect it.

When I get it to boot it does recognise the new RAM and so does the BIOS.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[aviator_boy]

Sorry forgot to mention they are all DDR

[Celtman]

Your RAM is running at different - speeds, that could be the problem. try turing the 400Mhz 512Mb down in the BIOS to 200MHZ, see if that helps. RAM always works best in matched pairs.

Regards,
Neil

[MWISimmer]

If it's all at PC3200 then it's the same speed, I'd guess that the 256 sticks are labelled 200Mhz but actually run at 400, hence the Double Data Rate, but the 512 is labelled at it's DDR speed.

Have you tried taking out one or both of the 256 sticks?  If neither works then I'd suspect the 512 stick is dodgy.

[aviator_boy]

Ok, thanks for your help guys.

I went on this website
http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/vi ... A831D926C3

and it said this Do I have to install matching pairs?

A: Yes.

Your system requires that you install memory in pairs.


Does this mean I have to have 2 of the new 512MB Ram Sticks

[MWISimmer]

Does this mean I have to have 2 of the new 512MB Ram Sticks

You don't have to install in pairs, just it won't run in Dual Channel mode.

1.5Gb of Ram in single channel will be, in most cases, slower than 1Gb  running in Dual channel.

[aviator_boy]

Ok, so Is it possible then for me to have the 2 256MB in then the 1 512MB in?

[MWISimmer]

You'd be far better off getting another 512 stick and using 2x 512Mb in the same slots that your 2x 256Mb currently occupy.

[aviator_boy]

Ok thanks, but I am pretty strapped for cash at the moment but would this work?

512MB In slot 1
256x2 in slot 2 and 3

[MWISimmer]

Try and keep any matched pairs in slots 1 & 3 or 2 & 4 as they are the Dual channel slots.

Of course that's providing your mobo supports Dual channel.

[aviator_boy]

Ok thanks, I am going to do business now so I will type my progress later.

Cheers

[aviator_boy]

At the Moment I am on my computer with my 2 256MB's of ram and my 1 512MB. I am expecting my computer to shut down unexpectedly like it did before.

[aviator_boy]

I unplugged all my USB devices and I was able to boot with my new RAM, but I am wondering why I cannot boot with USB devices plugged in

[aviator_boy]

One more boot after that, its gone dodgey again. Ah well, I will buy another 512MB of Ram

[homebrewer]

I don't know much, but I always thought that if you had one slot of a matched pair filled, you had to have the other slot filled, too. In my limited experience the RAM slots are always of two different colors, ostensibly signifying a matched pair. If one is filled, so must be the other. I had 2 x 1024 Mb in two slots and 2 x 512 in the other two slots of my previous machine and never had any problems similar to yours.