Added 1GB of Memory and Now No Videos Work on my Comp?

[budz]

How long does the Memtest take it has been 1hr 45minutes and it has gone through 2 100% full sets now it comes up as Pass on the top and the percentages are adding up...

Also my motherboard is made by...

ECS Elitegroup

I hope that helps

You obviously still don't get it! You have 2 different types of RAM which that MEMTEST isn't going to do anything for you. Either return one of the sticks of RAM or continue having problems with no video playing back on your pc. You have 2 totally different types of RAM on your pc. :P

[happydog500]

In case there is something wrong with your reply, I'll add,

You have 2 totally different types of RAM on your pc.

How does a person who uses a computer not understand this over and over?

[gll99]

Original Memory: 1GB KINGSTON PC4300
Added Memory: 1GB K-BYTE PC5300 (I Bought 2GBS=2 Sticks with my Best Buy Stuff So I have 2 Sticks of 1GB)

That statement is not yet clear. Are you saying you took out the original PC4300 and have replaced it with another stick of of 1 gb PC5300 so you now have 2 sticks of the same PC5300 ram and no PC4300 on that system?

If that is what you did then as long as there is no compatibility issue that should fix the ram problem. You can now concentrate on missing codecs and video driver issues.

[budz]

Original Memory: 1GB KINGSTON PC4300
Added Memory: 1GB K-BYTE PC5300 (I Bought 2GBS=2 Sticks with my Best Buy Stuff So I have 2 Sticks of 1GB)

That statement is not yet clear. Are you saying you took out the original PC4300 and have replaced it with another stick of of 1 gb PC5300 so you now have 2 sticks of the same PC5300 ram and no PC4300 on that system?

If that is what you did then as long as there is no compatibility issue that should fix the ram problem. You can now concentrate on missing codecs and video driver issues.

His statement is clear take a look at his CPU-Z picture closely, you'll see he is using 1gb of KINGSTON PC4300 & 1GB (unknown brand) PC5300. I know on P4/AMD pc's you could mix and match PC3200 & PC2700 RAM but I've yet to see mixing PC24300 & PC25300.

[sandman423]

I know...And I do Understand that I have 2 Different Memorys...

So where can I purchase another PC2-4300 KINGSTON 1GB please post a link where I could get it for a good price...

And for all of you who keep telling me I know I have Two Different ones...It is obvious...And I was just asking should I take out the Kingston one and try using the 2 GBS of the K-Byte PC2-5300 Memory (I have two Sticks that are 1GB each of Memory but it is the one that doesn't have the Manufacturer name...

[lordsmurf]

pricewatch.com
newegg.com
bestbuy.com
microcenter.com

[Snakebyte1]

If you have the manual for your motherboard it should tell you what RAM specs it will accept. If it says it will accept PC2-5300 RAM then you should be able to remove the original Kingston RAM and add in your two 1GB sticks. You could of course just go ahead and try it and see if it likes it or not.

[budz]

I know...And I do Understand that I have 2 Different Memorys...

So where can I purchase another PC2-4300 KINGSTON 1GB please post a link where I could get it for a good price...

And for all of you who keep telling me I know I have Two Different ones...It is obvious...And I was just asking should I take out the Kingston one and try using the 2 GBS of the K-Byte PC2-5300 Memory (I have two Sticks that are 1GB each of Memory but it is the one that doesn't have the Manufacturer name...

Just try the 2GB's of the KBYTE PC2-5300 RAM which is faster than the KINGSTON PC2-4300 RAM. If the KBYTE's work well then there's no reason to buy another stick of the KINGSTON PC2-4300 RAM. I'd prefer the KINGSTON brand but if the KBYTE works for you then just use it.

[poisondeathray]

While this *might* be a memory incompatibilty issue, I doubt it. In my experience memory errors usually cause BSOD, or slow data corruption/errors in applications. I have also run different types/speeds/brands of memory on intel and amd systems without problems.

-He passed memtest
-If it was a memory issue, playback should be affected on all players, not just 1 or the other
-Other programs should show signs of corruption
-He pulled 1 stick and still experienced the problems (so would running dual channel somehow miraculously fix the problem LOL?)

To me, it looks more like a driver/codec issue.

Just my opinion,

Cheers

[gll99]

@budz
I asked the question because he made that statement after the pics were posted and comments had been made about the ram. He then said I bought 2 sticks of PC5300 so it looked like he had fixed the issue of different ram.

@sandman423

If you haven't tried just the PC5300 then I agree that you should try it before you run out to buy anything else . Normally if you mix ram it will run at the slower speed ram but some systems expect the same speed ram.

As far as FFdshow you should'nt really need much else but you have to adjust the vfw settings and activate the codecs in the Video Decoder Configuration. (Just look for FFdshow in the Start/program menu). Once you promote the FFDshow libs it won't matter if other codecs are on your system. FFDshow codecs will have priority except for programs like KMPlayer which uses its own codecs.

btw) When you mentionned a black screen on playback it could be a codec issue but.... it could also be a problem with the tv-out on your video card being active. TwinView isn't that what Nvidia calls it. I seem to recall problems with some videos when extended desktop or video-out was activated when I had a Nvida card. It doesn't solve the RM issue but could explain the black box when playing some videos.

[lordsmurf]

After removing those codec packs, run CCLEANER to remove leftover crap. Scan the registry for sure.

[sandman423]

Ok I looked in the manual and here is what it says...

ECS NFORCE4M-A

This Motherboard supports up to 32GB of system memory with DDR2 800/667/533/400 DIMMS


That is what it says...I don't even see 4300 or 5300 Listed...

[budz]

Ok I looked in the manual and here is what it says...

ECS NFORCE4M-A

This Motherboard supports up to 32GB of system memory with DDR2 800/667/533/400 DIMMS


That is what it says...I don't even see 4300 or 5300 Listed...

DDR2 533 is PC25300. Remove the PC4300. What's the motherboard model number? I'm just curious.

[sandman423]

Model NFORCE4M-A v3.0

[budz]

As I mentioned remove the pc4300 ram and install the other pc5300 (533) into your computer and go from there.

[sandman423]

K thanks I will try that and let you know

[Nelson37]

This is being vastly over-complicated.

Mixing RAM speeds is perfectly acceptable. Waste of the faster RAM, but no real problem.

Problem IS that your RAM is slow as shit, and you went and bought more. Existing chips actually BELOW minimum spec for the board. That could cause some very strange behaviors. but again, lockups and BSOD rather than specific video issues. Usually they refuse to boot with below-spec RAM.

Get the FASTEST ram the board supports and you can afford. Better for future use, as well.

RAM testers basically a waste of time. Takes 5 seconds to put in "known good" RAM and then you would run the same real-world operations that you would after "testing". It either works or it doesn't, the "test" is worthless.

Use VLC player which is independent of codecs. Test with this and ONLY this to determine actual problem. DL only the MINIMUM of codecs needed, none at all would be a goal to shoot for.

Different software suites give different results in many areas. Video drivers and card management software are no exception. What is usually the biggest problem is that everything is set back to defaults, any custom settings are lost. TV-out settings, brightness, contrast, etc., screen size and resolution, overlay settings, all this crap may go back to day one settings. New menus are added, options are re-named or moved, etc.

IMO, if you would have spent 5 - 10 minutes checking all the settings for the new video software and done nothing else, you'd probably have been OK. Make sure and re-seat the card, or has this been done?

[sandman423]

What do you mean by reseat the card...What I could afford now is only 5300 Due to the Best Buy Reward Coupons I got...

and the Fastest the Board can take looks like...800

32GB of system memory with DDR2 800/667/533/400 DIMMS


Well I tried using VNC for the Real Player file but sound played and it was studdering so I tried Real Alternatives and Sound but No Video...

I am going to try to replace the 4300 with the other stick of 1gb 5300 and see what happens...Be back with results...

[sandman423]

Well...

I took out the 4300 and tried the 5300 and I got a LONG BEEP and Two Short Beeps but nothing happend computer didn't start...

Any sales on Good RAM at Frys that will work with my Motherboard and Video Card

[sandman423]

Would Corsair work with my Motherboard 6400
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2206874&Sku=C13-2022

CorsairCorsair XMS2 DHX 2048MB Dual Channel PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3089875&Sku=C13-6076

Search Results
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=2261&


I found a bunch...Of Dual Channel...I was told Dual Channel blows the lid of the regular RAM plus my Motherboard Supports it...

It has Orange slots for Regular DDR2 and Purple for I guess Dual Channel Ones...

Or would it be just better to get Regular 2GB Ram Single Channel?

[lordsmurf]

Takes 5 seconds to put in "known good" RAM and then you would run the same real-world operations that you would after "testing". It either works or it doesn't, the "test" is worthless.

My "RAM tests" are generally to load several RAW NEF images into Photoshop CS3. 8)

[gll99]

Well...

I took out the 4300 and tried the 5300 and I got a LONG BEEP and Two Short Beeps but nothing happend computer didn't start...

Any sales on Good RAM at Frys that will work with my Motherboard and Video Card

How many ram slots on the mb? Did you put them in the right ones (1 and 2). You had one of these sticks in before and didn't get beeps so I suspect it's not pushed in properly or it's in the wrong slots.

[sandman423]

it is in slots 1 and 2...the very first slots that the original 4300 Memory was in...

I have 2 Orange slots and 4 Purple Slots I believe...they are both in the Orange slots

[sandman423]

It says in the book...(Qualified Vendor List)

DDR2 533 1GB Apacer Eipida E5108AB-5C-E
Geil A016E2864T2AG8AK AG8AKT5H120004


Those are the only ones listed for 1GB

[budz]

It says in the book...(Qualified Vendor List)

DDR2 533 1GB Apacer Eipida E5108AB-5C-E
Geil A016E2864T2AG8AK AG8AKT5H120004


Those are the only ones listed for 1GB

your motherboard only has 4 memory slots, 2 orange & 2 purple. i looked at your motherboard manual and yes you can only use the APACER or GEIL 1gb sticks. did you build this computer yourself? it's always best to use the memory that the motherboard manufacturer recommends.

[Nelson37]

As long as RAM meets spec and is not defective, specific manufacturer should not matter. Extremely rare that this is a problem.

Beeps means either defective RAM or not properly inserted, as mentioned. Just as a test, take ALL the RAM out and note the beep code. Not fully inserted should give same error as no RAM at all, different beep would indicate bad chip. Codes are no longer standard but that sounds like a short of some sort in the chip.

Since you now have reason to suspect at least ONE module, simplify life by installing only ONE at a time. PC no work, bad RAM. No question which chip, there is only one installed. There is absolutely no need to install more RAM until you get all other issues resolved.

Dual-channel is somewhat over-rated but just get two matching chips, 400 or better, preferably 800. That way you just might not have to throw them out the window at your next mobo upgrade. One 533 is better than two 400's.

VLC results are absolutely fascinating. Video, the original problem (?) seems to play OK with sound issues. That would be AUDIO, and video playing UNRELATED TO INSTALED CODECS seems OK. That would be the codecs you installed AFTER the problem originally showed itself, the codecs which VLC does not use. ISOLATE AND IDENTIFY.

Strong recommendation - STOP DICKING AROUND WITH THE RAM. Other than the one that was either defective or that you did not put in properly, this is virtually without question NOT the problem. This is like throwing paint on a car with a flat tire. Put the original chip back in and leave it till everything works. If that one beeps, stop what you are doing and get someone else.

Solve the actual problem, which has yet to be identified or even clearly and categorically described.

"Reseat the card" means to Remove and Replace, or R & R, the video card. The reason I suggest this is that there is no good reason the drivers would have updated after the RAM install unless the card was bumped in its slot, which is quite possible. While the driver update could have been just luck of the draw to happen at that moment, the video playback problems could well be the result of a card not fully seated into its slot. Reseat it.

I know what your thinking, "I changed the RAM and the video screwed up, it must be the RAM". Well, no, but start with putting the original RAM back. This most likely will not restore the video as original, therefore something else is causing it.

Change ONE THING AT A TIME, and test it thoroughly. If it is drivers, there is only the one you had, that worked, and the one you have now, which doesn't. Two options to test. If neither one works, then it is something else. Reseating the card, you either know how to do it or not. If you don't, either practice on a junk board or get somebody to show you how. Not real common, but you can crack the mobo.

Codecs, rip em all out and start all over. Focus on audio within VLC, also try several types of files. I've seen people get all bent out of shape on deals like this and it turns out all testing was done with only one file, and it turned out the file was corrupted. Makes me want to beat them with a stick.

[sandman423]

Well here is the thing...My Friend built this computer for me...

No Problems...I upgraded my CRT to Flat Screen LCD and I decided to add 1GB more of memory...So I bought 2 K-Bytes 5300 to add 1GB more to my computer to make it 2GB and I mixed the 4300 with 5300 and it Reads in my Computer that I have 2GBs of Memory but the ONLY Video Files that don't work now are Realplayer...I got all working except for the Realplayer only...I am using Real Alternatives and I tried to use Windows Media Player Classic and doesn't play any types but Windows Media Player 11 and VNC are working like a charm...

I tried just putting the Original KINGSTON 4300 In by itself and it didn't fix the Video Problem...I know the RAM was in right...

So Someone is telling me that it is my Monitor Setup...It is set at Clone and no Overlay is selected...

[lordsmurf]

If you don't listen to Nelson, and do a process of elimination, you will never solve the problem. At best, you'll luck into it working again, but you still won't know what went wrong or why.

[cobra jet]

Sandman,
Aside from the memory problem (because that is not why Realplayer is not working), have you tried to remove and reinstall RealPlayer?

[Nelson37]

Focus, now. This is real simple.

VLC works. Other players don't. VLC does not use codecs. Other players do. You have a codec problem. Since you did not have one BEFORE installing K-lite, and you have one AFTER installing K-lite, and many others have had the SAME experience, very high odds installing K-lite is the CAUSE of most of your problems. Rip it out.

You mention Real Alternative, but fail to mention whether or not it functions correctly. SFAIK, RM codecs are internally contained in the playback program. Assuming Real Alternative works, and Real Player does not, this says something very simple and direct. You do NOT have a problem with RM type video files. You DO have a problem with the Real Player software. Rip it out.

I'm tuning out the whole RAM thing, this is a red herring. It has been explained, several times in several ways, basically it is not the problem but stop messing with it. You may not know it, but it is quite possible that your video card is somewhat loose in the slot and everytime you mess with the RAM you also bump the video card, causing various issues. In any case changing the RAM simply introduces another variable, and the whole point of diagnostics is to eliminate the variables to isolate the cause of the problem.

In fact, I would bet money that such a bump to the video card caused Windows to re-recognize the card, and this is what caused the driver update. This reset several display values back to defaults, which though easily remedied through settings, this panicked the user into believing there was a major problem. In order to solve this, a sludgeball of codecs was added which resulted in perfectly valid and formerly working codecs being overwritten or superseded. Variations in RAM and multiple install efforts have simply served as a smoke screen and clouded the issue almost beyond all recognition.

Exactly what was done to restore playback for all but Real Player files, and please specify whether Real Alternative functions correctly.