Installing RAM

[Nitro89]

is there anything I need to know when installing RAM? I know how to insert it into the computer but once its installed, do I need to reinstal XP or configure the bios?

[Richard_G]

Not usually unless you have any particularly complex hardware. Make sure you take all the static precautions and fit it. When you switch you machine back on the BIOS should detect the extra RAM and away you go.

[Nitro89]

ok thank you because I have been reading about that 4-4-4-12 thingy and I got slightly confused

[jman98]

If you had that piece of #$%^ OS called Vista that Microsoft sells, yes, I am not kidding when I tell you that a complete re-installation might be necessary after upgrading memory. I've seen this happen first hand to a laptop running Vista. XP is actually a sane (for the most part) OS and requires no such nonsense. Just be sure you buy the right memory for your motherboard and do note that some motherboards might or might not have unique requirements like requiring memory to be placed in certain orders (larger ones in specific slots) or in pairs. http://www.crucial.com might be helpful in letting you know if your motherboard has any weird requirements. Note too that some motherboards don't like memory in different clock speeds from other memory. Usually you don't have any of these things to worry about, but I point out that they could be a concern for certain systems. You usually don't have to make any BIOS changes as the BIOS should just detect the new memory, but older BIOSes may do weird things like reset the memory speed to a lower value (my 6+ year old PC can do this). The more recent your PC, the less likely any of this worst case scenario will apply to you.

[Nitro89]

how would I know if the ram I bought sucks? what I mean is what are the bad signs that ram gives as I bought a no name brand ram and I don't know what to expect

[Video Head]

What motherboard do you have?
What is the current memory configuration (memory size, # of modules)?
What memory are you planning to add (type, size, # of modules)?

For the most part you should just be able to install the memory and the system will recognize it at boot. There are many different types of memory and some boards demand that they be installed in a certain way.

[Richard_G]

how would I know if the ram I bought sucks? what I mean is what are the bad signs that ram gives as I bought a no name brand ram and I don't know what to expect

You computer either won't recognise the extra RAM, won't boot or suddenly starts to reboot or freeze for no apparent reason. You could download a programme call memtest86 but only use that if you have problems.

Just bung it in and see what happens, chances are you'll be OK.

[Nitro89]

my pc wont recognise the ram, I only have 2 slots, I installed both 1GB ram sticks into both slots and when I boot the PC, it just uses continuously fast beeps. I then put my previous 256mb DDR RAM PC2700 in with my 1GB DDR RAM PC3200 but it only recognises the 256MB memory stick. I am going to try the program suggested above. If anyone can help me please say so.

[Nitro89]

How do I use 'memtest86?'

[jman98]

We have no way to know what is going on from a distance. I suggest that you go to http://www.crucial.com and look up your PC and see if it has any special instructions for installing memory. It's less common these days, but in the past some motherboards did have restrictions like the largest memory module had to be in a specific slot. Can you mix PC3200 and PC2700? That seems wrong to me, but I can't say with 100% certainty. You might also check to be sure that all the modules are totally pushed down as it's fairly easy to think you have pushed them down all the way but in reality you have not.

Check on that mixing PC3200 and PC2700 thing. Usually you can only use the exact same type of memory in a motherboard for all slots. That is, you'd have to have all PC2700 regardless of the size.

[Nitro89]

I have 2 1GB sticks of DDR PC3200, it was recomended as an upgrade on a RAM website, but when I mix the PC2700 and PC3200, either way, it doesn't recognise the PC3200 DDR RAM

[aedipuss]

first check at your motherboard manufacturer's website and make sure that 1GB sticks of pc3200 are supported. if it is, then reset the bios, usually a pin on the motherboard you short. you may have to bump up the onboard mem voltage in the bios, standard is 2.5 but some pc3200 needs up to 2.8, check the specs on what you bought.

[Nitro89]

http://www.crucial.com/ is recognising my 1GB Memory and recommends another 1GB PC3200 DDR RAM. But somehow my PC does not recognise the newly installed RAM nor is it making any use of it.

[dphirschler]

Possibly upgrading your BIOS might fix it? Check your mobo's website and see if there is an updated BIOS and if it is supposed to correct any RAM-related issues.


Darryl

[Nitro89]

These are the only BIOS updates available to me and it doesn't look like they have much to do with RAM.

[aedipuss]

power off, and insert only the pc2700. install update f5 bios, then go into the bios and usually on the last page is a "load safe defaults" or something named like that. load that. save changes and exit. power off. unplug it. insert new ram and see if it will boot. my last suggestion if that doesn't work is to go back to the pc2700 enter bios and increase memory voltage to 2.8 and memory timings to "by spd" , save changes and exit. power off try 3200 again.

[Nitro89]

ok, but how do I change the voltage on BIOS, I can't find that option

[Nitro89]

and which directory do I save the F5 update as I have done what you said above apart from changing the Voltage because I don't know how and I still have no luck

[aedipuss]

read the directions that came with the bios update very carefully. it needs to be put on a floppy disc most likely and run/installed from there. be careful a botched bios update will destroy the motherboard.

[Nitro89]

for some reason, I cannot access the 'vcore' temperature in BIOS, I can see it but can't highlight it.

I didn't get any read me file with the update

[Nelson37]

That would be because Temperature readouts in the BIOS are not user-changeable. Voltage should be changeable, but not for all boards. This is a case to RTFM, listen to the board maker, not the RAM company. The RAM company does not know squat about your board, the folks that made your board DO. You should be able to verify within 2-3 minutes whether or not the RAM is compatible.

Be aware that an improperly installed BIOS update can completely hose your PC. It is not too difficult and ordinarily I would not worry about it but I have read several of your posts.

The rapid POST beeps you heard are an indication of improper install. No RAM at all gives slow beeps, rapid indicates some sort of improper electrical connection. Could be a bad chip or not compatible with your board, but I have read several of your posts.

Power off. Remove all RAM. Insert ONE stick of new RAM, test. Repeat with other stick of new RAM. The odds of two sticks being defective are extremely low. The odds of either stick being improperly inserted are normally fairly low, but I have read several of your posts.

Take your time, note the lock-in tabs, note the center notch (which is NOT in the exact center), make sure insertion is complete and that the tabs lock down. Test with only ONE module in the box, until it works, then add the other.

[Richard_G]

The BIOS shows 2004 as the first release date so that would be when your motherboard was new. It may well be that, in common with a lot of motherboards in those days, that it won't recognise 1GB sticks. It may only recognise up to 512k.

[Nitro89]

I found someone with the exact same problem as me with the same computer here.

What is high density and low density RAM?

[Nelson37]

Looks like you have a gigabyte board custom-made for Fujitsu-Siemans. Short story is you are SOL.

BIOS update from Gigabyte would be almost certain to hose the board, a real crap-shoot. Fujitsu won't bother to create one. No tech support. Apparently several variations of this model, 2, 3, and 4 memory slots all mentioned.

Good odds Siemans memory will work, might be the only kind that does. Proprietary is such a wonderful thing.

Unless they are referring to the number of chips on the stick, I have no idea what low or hi-density RAM is referring to. This would be referring to the module, not the RAM itself. Haven't had an issue with this for 5-10 years, and then only with highly proprietary machines.

Find the manual, or get one. Contact Fujitsu, it they care. Multiple users have had multiple failures trying to upgrade RAM on this board. Are you SURE this is the board you have?

[Nitro89]

yeah, i'm 100% sure, we have the same PC too

[DB83]

Seems that your problem can be solved - at a price.

http://support.fujitsu-siemens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27762&sid=7294d17eec4148d177afc6e6176a379a

[Nitro89]

you mean buy 'SAMSUNG' RAM?

[DB83]

I mean that you buy what that guy bought.

Contact him through that forum. Sure he will try to help.

99 cases out of 100, that memory that you bought would have worked. But with crucial probably not quoting your exact board and a little research that you have done AFTER the event you could have saved yourself the pain.

[wulf109]

I suspect that RICHARD_G is close to the truth. You have a dated OEM board that doesn't support 1GB memory sticks. It would also explain why the BIOS provides no vcore adjustment or other overclocking features.
You might want to consider a new motherboard.

[Nitro89]

I was thinking whether I get another motherboard, but that's just another £30-£40.