Bad RAM?

[akshtray]

Hello:

I recently purchased a P4 2.66 on a SiS 648 Motherboard. I was informed that I would be able to use the PC2700 DDR Ram on the motherboard. I purchased 2 modules of Kingston HyperX PC2700 DDR memory modules (512 MB each). However, when i put any of those modules in an try to boot the computer it makes a long beeping sound. I tried combinations of both modules together and by themselves with the same result.

Called the PC company again and they said that it is either:

1. Bad memory
2. Bad installation

I know that its not the 2nd as I have installed RAM a lot of times. And I am also doubtful about the fact that it is a bad memory module as it would be a mighty big coincidence if both of the modules would be bad. Anyone here who might have used a similar combination before and know that it works. Or any ideas and suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks
Akshtray

 

[snidy1]

Did you check the bios settings for the ram?

 

[akshtray]

Can you please provide me with more information regarding how to check the BIOS settings for the RAM. I have no idea on how to do that. All I did was take the PC 2100 DDR Ram (256 MB module) that was in the PC out and put the two HyperX memory in. What kind of changes would I need to make.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Akshtray

 

[snidy1]

I'm not sure about your bios, but there should be a setting to set the ram to SPD. If it already is, try manually setting it to 166. If that doesn't work, try resetting the bios.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

So this worked with the PC2100 RAM in it? If so, try putting one stick on the PC2700 in with the PC2100, this way the mobo will underclock the PC2700 down to PC2100 and if it works and shows 512mb then its fine. Do the same for the 2nd sticks and tell us how it goes.

 

[akshtray]

I went to the BIOS configuration, it is set to:

BY SPD

However, there are options for:

200, 266 and 333

NO option for 166.

Should I try setting it any one of those and then try from there. I will also try AgaBooga's solution and see how it goes from there.

thanks
akshtray

 

[snidy1]

333 is actually the right speed for 2700

 

[akshtray]

YEah..

So should i try to change the setting to 333 and save settings and shut down the computer. Put the HyperX memory in and then restart and hope that it works.. :-( ..

akshtray

 

[snidy1]

Try it.

 

[eviltoon]

This may sound silly, but I got that long beeping sound too when I upgraded my ram and all it needed was for the stick to be pushed in more securely. Visually it looked snug, felt snug, but a little more pressure and it snapped into place.

 

[akshtray]

Alright guys .. thanks ..

i tried to change the BIOS to 333 from By SPD .. also .. put in the PC2100 256MB module with the PC2700 512 MB module .. it works like a charm ..
i then thought that the problem was with the second 512MB module .. so i took the first one out and put the second one in .. works perfectly ..
then i paired the 2 PC2700 Modules together .. beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep ...

seems like both of the PC2700 modules work fine when paired with the PC 2100 module individually .. but when i put both the PC2700 Modules as a pair .. the system just beeps at me .. it does the same when I put them in individually .. why would it do that .. i dont understand this ..

will appreciate any help on this issue ..

thanks ..
akshtray

 

[HarryManback]

I'm not real familiar with that brand of motherboard, but maybe it does not have the 533mhz front side bus, even though the option is there in the bios (You need that to utilize the PC2700 mem). I 'm thinking it works ok with the PC2100 and PC2700 modules because the PC2100 runs at a slower speed which keeps the PC2700 module from running at it's intended speed. When you use both PC2700, you're running them at their designed speed, which goes back to your mobo maybe not support it. I'm certainly not an expert on mobos, but just throwing my $.02 out there. Can you maybe do a search on your board to try and find some specs on it?

 

[akshtray]

SiS 648 Specs:

AGP Controller: 8X
Memory Controller: 64-bit DDR400**
Memory Bandwith(maximum): 3.2GB/s
FSB Interface: 400/533MHz

So I do think that it should work with PC 2700 .. also .. the company I purchased the PC from said that it should work. Do you think changing DRAM setting in BIOS Configuration to maybe 266 could help. I am not sure .. but just curious.

Thanks.
Akshtray

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Check if theres a new bios you can flash to or something from their website.

 

[akshtray]

thanks all ..

i tried updating the flash bios .. that did not help either .. this is really strange and i am really baffled as to what to do ..

the pc boots up fine when the pc2700 is paired with the pc2100 ... but when the 2 pc2700's are paired with each other the computer does not boot up .. calling the pc company did not help much as they insist that their board supports pc2700 memory .. to be honest i did check up on the sis 648 board and according to official documentation it should support pc2700 ..

SO what is the problem .. can anyone please direct me somewhere or give me any suggestions as to what course of action i could take .. i really hope this memory works as pc2700 is better than the pc2100 .. i am not even sure if newegg will let me exchange this memory for another kind (PC2100) or not ..

all help will be really appreciated ..

thanks
akshtray

 

[akshtray]

still no solution with this issue .. can you please provide me with any advice ..

thanks
akshtray

 

[akshtray]

This is Medion's (the company I purchased the PC from) latest response:

"
We have found that memory with a CL not equal to 2.5 will not work correctly in this PC. The memory that comes with the PC has a CL value of 2.5. We would recommend that you try to find RAM that has this CL value or try to find Samsung memory since Samsung?s memory (as far as we?ve seen) has a CL of 2.5.

Thank you,

Medion USA Technical Support
"

Does this make sense to you guys. Should I return the Kingston memory and purchase the Samsung one instead. Do let me know. Also, any direct links to the memory I need will be really appreciated. I already found a few but just want to confirm with you guys. Also, any such memory found directly on newegg's sites will be super as I will just exchange my Kingston for the new one I purchase.

Thanks
Akshtray

 

[thorin]

Try running both 2700 sticks at 266. Just as a test.

Thorin

 

[akshtray]

hey thorin

thats what the tricky part is . .how do i change the spd to 266 if the computer wont even boot up .. with both PC2700 sticks in .. all it does is make a beeping sound and thats it .. cant even get to the bios to change it to 266 ..

akshtray

 

[thorin]

Simple:

Boot it with the 2100/2700 set that works. "the pc boots up fine when the pc2700 is paired with the pc2100 "
Save changes and Exit.
Power Off.
Swap 2100 with 2nd 2700.
Power On.

Thorin

 

[akshtray]

I think i already tried that earlier but will sure try it again .. maybe i was hallucinating but what i thought was that once i booted with pc2100/pc2700 combo and changed it to 266, saved settings and rebooted. Shut the computer down and tried it with pc2700/pc2700 .. long beep ..

tried again with pc2100/pc2700 .. it booted up .. went to the bios and noticed that spd was changed to BY SPD again .. like i said .. maybe i was just hallucinating .. but its definitely worth another shot ..

BUT in all .. you guys think that CL2 should be able to work on the CL2.5 board??

thanks
akshtray