Added more (DDR) RAM to ASUS A7V333 Mobo and PC restarts and BIOS calculates wrong amount!

XiZiT

Senior member
Feb 19, 2002
254
0
0
Hey guys, I'm in need of help...
I have an A7V333 motherboard, BIOS rev 1016, Built date: 01/28/03 with an Athlon XP 1800+. I recently brought home various RAM chips from my shop to upgrade my memory.

When I add more RAM, the BIOS displays the correct # of memory but after Windows XP loading screen comes up, the PC restarts and then the wrong # of memory is displayed and again afer Windows XP loading screen, PC restarts. If I try to go through Safe Mode, at the driver loading screen. If I add 3 chips at 512MB each (512x3), I cannot see anything on the screen at all. But when the third chip is 256MB, my screen atleast shows something (but won't boot to XP).

Why can't I add more RAM to my PC?
I have used combinations of; Samsung PC3200 512MB DDR CL3, Samsung PC3200 512MB DDR CL2.5, PC2700 2.5, PC21000 CL2 and still no go :(

Please help. Thanks in advance.
 

XiZiT

Senior member
Feb 19, 2002
254
0
0
Thanks for your reply.

I tried two PC2700 identical RAM chips and the PC boots but no video. If I remove one, and leave just one PC2700 333 chip, then monitor turns on and it displays 512 in BIOS. But I can't have two or more sticks. I tried every possible combo already;
i.e. 2700, 2700, 2100, or 3200, 2100, no go. Makes me thing it is a voltage issue

How can I decrease the voltage? I know its in BIOS, but what exactly am I looking for?

Thx in advance.
 

tcsenter

Lifer
Sep 7, 2001
18,552
341
126
Have you manually set DRAM frequency to DDR266 or are you using Auto settings? The BIOS does not always optimally set frequency and timing parameters based on SPD. In these small percentage of cases, you may need to set the timings manually.

DRAM voltage should either be labeled DRAM or DIMM voltage. A7V333 may not have this function in BIOS, or it may use a jumper on the board. Check the board's jumpers or user manual.

When installing two DIMMs, try slots 1 and 3 instead of adjacent slots.