256mb ram showing up as 128mb...throw it out or can it be salvaged?

[moocat]

I have a pair of Crucial 256mb sticks of pc2100. One of them only shows up as 128MB. Do I toss it or is there a possible remedy. I'm assuming the eeprom got corrupted somehow but can't be sure...anyone have any insight into this?

I'm assuming this problem is also what it causing bios to pause after the cpu post test. I have to hit "enter" to start the mem test.

 

[stevty2889]

It's possibly incompatible with your motherboard, or your motherboard may not like 2 double sided sticks. Have you tried the stick by itself, or tried using differant slots?

 

[Dahak]

ususally when it shows up only half of the stick its more a incompatiblility with the board. a bios update may fix it. but you can try the stick itself as setvty2889 suggested. aslo you can try it in another board if thats a possibility.
Ive seen this alot with high desity chips on older boards. ie 256mb pc133 stick single sided will show up as 128mb. put in a 256mb double sided and it shows up fine.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

It's possible the board doesn't like double sided memory. A BIOS update may resolve the issue though.

If that doesn't fix it, it's also possible that the memory is defective, in which case I would exchange it at the store you bought it from or RMA to Crucial.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

If there ends up actually being something wrong with it, doesn't crucial have a lifetime warranty too?

 

[moocat]

I should have been more specific with my info. I had it running for over a year. One 256mb stick in slot 0 and one in slot 3. I can't remember why I had it that way but it did work. I also tried it by itself and it only shows up as 128mb. I guess I can try to get a new stick from crucial...have to check to see what the requirements are to get a RMA.

Thanks.

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, If the top address line on the stick, in the socket or on the MB is hung you will get 1/2 the capacity of the stick. Obviously the MB is not at fault, but the socket or the stick may be. Luck, Jim

 

[moocat]

That makes sense. There might even be some defect on the pcb that I can see. Wish I still had access to a scope but a 3x mag light will have to do.

Thanks all for the input.