DDR400 RAM Upgrade issues

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MMCinNZ

40 posts

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#58654 16-Mar-2010 18:57

Older motherboard. 2 DDR slots. Bought 2 Strontium Hynix 400DDR 1Gb modules. Only reports 1Gb whether one or both plugged in. Updating BIOS tomorrow using @BIOS. The modules are identical, in every sense. Apart from potential BIOS issues, any other suggestions as to issues that would stop the second module being seen?

Cheers

rscole86

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#307942 16-Mar-2010 19:03

When each is plugged into the same slot, are they both detected?

What does not detect it? The bios or your OS?
Do you have dual channel enabled or disabled? In that case, have you tried slots 1&3 not 1&2 ?

Have you used CPU-id to see if it can see the RAM? Or microsoft memory diagnostic tool?

MMCinNZ

40 posts

Geek

#308030 16-Mar-2010 22:05

Thankx for advice to date. In response.

Only two DDR slots on mobo. DDR1 & 2. No option in BIOS for channels to be changed. Mobo has a P4 3.2 Ghz processor. Couldn't see an option in BIOS to enable disable dual channel for RAM. BIOS upgrade tomorrow. But couldn't see anything in advanced options either. (i.e pressing CTRL F1)

The extra RAM is not detected/reported in either BIOS or Windows

MMCinNZ

40 posts

Geek

#308285 17-Mar-2010 13:54

@BIOS implemented. Running chkds /r to reload Sis SATA drivers from Windows XP Home install disk to re enable SATA drive boot HDD to be recognised and operate. Will post BIOS results once this is completed

MMCinNZ

40 posts

Geek

#308307 17-Mar-2010 14:42

Verified both 1Gb modules work in DIMM slot DDR1. Both workno issues. PC boots and operates normally with each module being correctly reported in the BIOS.

Upgraded BIOS to most current version. Lost damn Sis964 driver for SATA again, so booted from XP Home install CD. Ran chkdsk /r. COmpleted at 75%, but Windows XP restarted from last known good config just fine. Turned off machine. Reconfigured boot sequence in BIOS. Checked new BIOS for any apparent changes in control options, in particular for RAM. No new options, even from hidden menu i.e. CTRL F1. Frustrated.

Second 1Gb module not reported, meaning BIOS does not report Base = 612k, Total = 1.9Gb total memory. Still only reports 992 Mb.

Understand that system may be seeing both channels and only reporting 1Gb total.

Can someone please help?

Mobo is a Gigabyte GA-85661FXM-775 with a Pentium P4 3.2Ghz CPU, and a Sis964 chipset for Raid Controller. RAM is Strontium Hynix 400DDR 1 Gb. Bios now version F4. CPU patch now v5.

Thanks in advance

Ragnor

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#308331 17-Mar-2010 15:29

MMCinNZ: Verified both 1Gb modules work in DIMM slot DDR1. Both workno issues. PC boots and operates normally with each module being correctly reported in the BIOS.

Tried 1 stick in slot 2 to rule out slot 2 as the problem?

If so next step is trying different brand of ram as it could just be one of those rare brand to motherboard chipset incompatibilities.

MMCinNZ

40 posts

Geek

#308361 17-Mar-2010 16:15

Will try that next, cheers, forgot the obvious didn't I, but as a noob, was undecidedabout slot 2 working as a primary in a 2 slot system. First time working on thisage of board.....so appreciate that....

MMCinNZ

40 posts

Geek

#308827 18-Mar-2010 16:23

Rightyho. Just installed a Gigabyte Radeon 4650 AGPx8 video card. Installed second SATA hard drive and I'll address those issues in another thread.

Back to video card. Install went great works great. However, two things cropped up relating to my RAM issues.

When I pressed System information in the ATI GUI, the system reported 2Gb of virtual RAM, 1 GB of Physical memory.

Second thing, my updated BIOS is reported as F3, when it is actually F4, as a i flashed the BIOS upgrade yesterday.

Where do I find dual channel options for RAM in y Award BIOS.

Why would the current Gigabyte ATI GUI report my BIOS as F3