RAM

Make sure you diden't get a fast one pulled on you by your local RAM salesperson.

What do you mean by a "fast one"?

Just make sure you actually do have the 1G and weren't sold a 512 instead.

If it is indeed a 1G, make sure its in the first RAM slot. Sometimes the motherboard will only rate the secondary RAM To what the primary is. If you have a 512 installed, and your adding a 1G. Make sure the 1G is in the primary slot and the 512 is in the Secondary, or the 1G will only register as a 512.

It has a 256 in slot 1 and a 1G in slot 2

Make sure the Motherboard can support the 1G stick. Get information from the manufacturer.

With the 1G in slot 1 does it still register as 512?

My guess is the motherboard does not support the chip. (is it an older motherboard?)

With the 1G in slot 1 it still registers as 512mb and the motherboard, I would guess was made about 5 yrs ago

With the age of the motherboard, there is a good chance that 512MB is the largest RAM that is supported. Do you have the users manual for the computer? That will tell you the max supported RAM size. If you don't have the manual, they are usually available online.

Sometimes, there are BIOS updates available that will add more processor/RAM support, you might look into that.

Tom

thanks also, could anyone shed some light on why it won't work without the 256mb also installed?

Put your 1g in slot 1 and your 256 in slot 2.

Your computer will recognize the slot 1 first then recognize all the following as being the same size.

I checked, and yes, it is a 1G stick. I have now put it in the first slot, but the pc wont work without the 256mb also inserted into the 2nd slot.

Buy again...

Next time, make it sure that you got the correct one.

will it work with the single 256 meg installed? Or does it need two sticks. If so it may need two equal sticks?

If it works with the 256K only installed, it should also work with only the 1 gig installed.

Have you looked up the motherboard specs online?

It doesn't have to be equal. You have to have the larger stick first.

He might want to try just the 1g stick alone then add the 256m afterwards.

Which CPU and which OS are you running?

Which Motherboard and chipset?

Does the system see 1gig in the bios?

Is the 1gig stick compatible with your motherboard?

On that last, check with the manufacturer. If the machine is older than 2 years, see of there is an update for the BIOS.

I know this one is dumb but is the RAM seated properly and in slot 1?

Have you tried a different RAM stick?

Is this RAM in a Laptop or desktop?

Can you exchange it?

Bummer, Dude,

/Ari (Orpheue)

I am using a RM 1700-256 running xp professional How do you check the motherboard and chipset? On boot up, it says 768 mb RAM, the 1GB (recognised as 512) and the 256 Yes, the machine is definitely older than 2yrs No, I haven't tried other RAM, and it would involve buying more to test other sticks Yes the RAM is seated properly No it can't be exchanged Sorry it's so short and sweet :) Thanks for the extensive answer

Try to update the BIOS. Don't worry about short and sweet, I'm OK. Good Luck.

/Ari (Orpheuse)

How do you update the BIOS? Thanks

First you will need to know what make/model your computer or motherboard is. Once you have the manufacturer and model/part number, you go to their website and look for support/downloads. Look for BIOS, many sites will have instructions to help you determine what version of BIOS you currently have, you need to know your current version, to determine if you actually need to update.

But first, if your going to dig up any information, find the specifications/owners manual for the thing (as I stated in an earlier post), the manual will tell you the maximum RAM size supported. The disclaimer here is that BIOS updates MAY be available that will allow it to support larger sizes than the manual states.

If you have any trouble finding the information, post again with the model number of the computer. If this is "home built" type custom computer, you will need to find the model number of the Motherboard, since you are playing with the RAM, you've got it open, look for a manufacturer and model on the motherboard. Knowing what you've got goes a long way.....

Tom

Good answer.

And to find that out you should be able to find what motherboard you are using on the motherboard itself if you don't have any supporting documentation with the computer.

Is there any possibility that your motherboard does not have a big enough address bus to support beyond 512 Mbytes of RAM?

You might be trying to pour 1 1/2 liters of coffee into a 1 liter mug.

Bill

It says: Intel celeron (R) 1.70GHZ (100*17.0) 753664k OK + 32MB Shared Memory 01/29/2003-SiS-650GL-6A61XM42C-00 Parallel ports 378 DDR at row: 0 2

Computer Computer brand name: Unknown on Noname Motherboard Motherboard Model: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL Co., LTD MS-6724 Motherboard Chipset: SiS 650 + 962 Motherboard Slots: 3xPCI, 1xAGP v2.0 BIOS BIOS Manufacture: Phoenix - AwardBIOS V6.00PG BIOS Date 01/29/03 BIOS Version V6.00PG Super-IO/LPC Chip: Winbound/Nuvoton W83697HF TMP not found

OK here's a link to the Motherboard manual

MS-6724 Manual

It it supposed to support up to 1GB sticks of RAM (for a total of 2GB), but I have found in the past that when you are trying to install the max size a board will support, they can be pretty picky about the RAM.

Only one version of the BIOS is shown, so I guess there are no updates for that.

Not sure what to tell you at this point, perhaps go to a memory sellers site and get their recommended RAM, and then sell the one you have on Ebay? Good luck, sorry can't be more help.

Tom