odd computer memory problem

[farmkid]

So I have an older motherboard--it's from the transition days when technology was moving from DDR to DDR2 RAM. It has two slots of each type. I've been using 1GB (2 X 512GB) of DDR RAM. Yesterday I was given 2 1GB DDR2 modules so I decided to take the opportunity to upgrade. However, when I installed it, the computer only recognizes half of the new memory. Thinking that maybe one module was defective or wasn't seated properly, I took one out. Then, the computer only recognized 512MB.

This isn't a Windows problem. Booting into Linux shows the same thing, and the BIOS only recognizes half of the memory. What's odd, however, is that even though the BIOS doesn't recognize the RAM correctly, CPUZ identifies the modules correctly as 1GB modules.

Even more perplexing is that after a couple of restarts, the computer lost the network adapter. I had to clear the CMOS to get it back.

The motherboard specs say it supports 1GB modules. I've checked and double-checked the part number of the new RAM to be sure they are 1GB modules and they check out. There is a BIOS update for my motherboard, but nothing in the description of the update suggests it may fix the problem. I don't want to risk updating the BIOS if I don't have to.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Motherboards generally have limits on a) how much RAM may be installed and b) how big each module can be. It sounds like this system is old enough that it can't pick up more than 512MB in a single slot.

You might also go through your BIOS settings and see if something is set weird. If not, though, it's just a limitation of the motherboard. A BIOS update will most likely not fix this as such limits tend to be a result of the hardware, not the firmware.

 

[Chaos Descending]

Motherboards generally have limits on a) how much RAM may be installed and b) how big each module can be. It sounds like this system is old enough that it can't pick up more than 512MB in a single slot.

Psst! He covered that.

The motherboard specs say it supports 1GB modules. I've checked and double-checked the part number of the new RAM to be sure they are 1GB modules and they check out.

Hey farmkid,

There is a BIOS update for my motherboard, but nothing in the description of the update suggests it may fix the problem. I don't want to risk updating the BIOS if I don't have to.

Anyone have any ideas?

Yes, update the BIOS.

I have NEVER had a BIOS update go bad.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I'll be surprised if the BIOS update fixes it.

And just because the motherboard specs say something doesn't mean it's true. I've had motherboard manuals claim they possessed certain features and capabilities and found through real-world use that the manual was wrong.

 

[Chaos Descending]

Well, you have a point on the manual/specs, Robert.

As for the BIOS, I agree that it may not fix it, but I also doubt that it would hurt. It is worth a try, IMHO.

farmkid, what is the model number of your motherboard?

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Yeah, I agree that a BIOS flash wouldn't hurt. At least, we hope not...

 

[farmkid]

Well, you have a point on the manual/specs, Robert.

As for the BIOS, I agree that it may not fix it, but I also doubt that it would hurt. It is worth a try, IMHO.

farmkid, what is the model number of your motherboard?

It's an ECS P4M800Pro-M (V 2.0). I don't think it's so old that it maxes out at 1GB. I had 2GB in my previous board, and it was of the AthlonXP/P4 generation and quite a bit older.

I'm resisting updating the BIOS for a couple of reasons. As I said before the update description doesn't give me any reason to think it will fix the problem. Second, I don't have a floppy drive, and updating from within Windows gives it just a little more chance to go wrong. I don't have the money to buy a new motherboard (and video card; this one has an AGP slot, not PCI-E), so I'm hesitant to take the risk for a questionable benefit.

I've been through everything in the BIOS, and if the answer is there it must be labeled rather cryptically.

 

[Chaos Descending]

Are the memory modules you are using by chance DUAL channel RAM modules? Your MOBO manufacturer's website claims that it only supports single channel.

Could explain the apparent "halving" of your installed RAM.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Ooh, good catch. That might be it.

 

[farmkid]

I wondered about that as well. But, the sticker on them doesn't say anything about that. It says they are 1GB modules. They are Hynix HYMP112U64CP8-S6 modules. Here's the manufacturer's website, which also doesn't say anything about it.

 

[Jadzia]

All recently made DDR2 memory is High Density.

RAM density was an issue back with DDR1 memory as some motherboards would not accept high density modules. And of those that did accept it, some would only see half of it.

So this may be your problem.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Holy crap, a Jadzia sighting!

 

[Jadzia]

hi Robert. I haven't been here for some time. Hope everyone is okay.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I kinda wondered what happened to you! You just stopped posting all of a sudden.

 

[Jadzia]

I just got bored of these forums, and I wanted a break. I felt like it was the same few discussions which kept recurring and I wasn't finding enough pleasure in them anymore.

i chose to give up looking after sci-tech for the same reason. Moderators are expected to read through new posts in their forums each day, but I was becoming lax, and I didn't feel I was being fair.

 

[farmkid]

All recently made DDR2 memory is High Density.

RAM density was an issue back with DDR1 memory as some motherboards would not accept high density modules. And of those that did accept it, some would only see half of it.

So this may be your problem.

Ah, thank you. I think this is it. The memory isn't all that new--it's over two years old--but it is single-sided. I guess it's not the improvement I was hoping for.

I'm kind of bummed about that. It's running XP, and it's only used for basic internet/email/office/solitaire/etc., so 1GB is enough. I use my laptop for all the heavy stuff. I would like, however, to install Virtualbox because I occasionally want Linux for something on this computer. Alas, 1GB isn't enough to share between two operating systems.

 

[Jadzia]

With DDR1 at least, Hynix was the brand most often associated with high density modules. They seemed to produce more of it than the other brands.

As for linux, virtualbox isn't necessary if you are happy to dual boot. Or if you intend to use it infrequently then you can use a live cd, which you can make from one of the .iso files you've downloaded.

 

[farmkid]

I dual-boot my laptop (and have Virtualbox with the other OS available in both as well ) so I'm familiar with how that works. That's my work computer, though, and I need both OSes for some of the work I do. For my home computer, however, I just want Linux available once in a while for tinkering, and I don't want the hassle of having to reboot to get to it.

 

[Jadzia]

One option is to replace the DDR1 memory you have with 2x 1GB modules, and forget about DDR2.

That should be easier than finding DDR2 modules which your motherboard understands.