Computer Not Recognizing Memory Upgrade

[PretendHer]

I recently upgraded the memory on my computer to 128MB and installed a cd burner. My cd burner has run with no problems. But, when I click on "my computer" and go to "properties," it still lists the RAM as 32MB. I haven't experienced any types of error messages associated with the upgrade but my computer doesn't seem to be markedly faster than before the upgrade.

I have a phone call into tech support for the memory card but thought Iwould throw this out here and see if you guys/gals can help me out too.

Specific instructions would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Lord Evermore]

What computer brand and model? If you had it built specially, what motherboard brand and model? What brand and model/type of memory did you install?

 

[2336]

If you initially had 32MB in the system that tells me that you have an older system, correct? What is the speed of the CPU and do you know if the motherboard is an Intel chipset? If you installed high density memory on an older Intel chipset motherboard that's where the problem may be. High density RAM doesn't "play nice" with older Intel chipsets, so to speak. This is especially true of PNY branded PC133 RAM. PNY even went so far as to post a message on their website that their PC133 RAM is no longer backward compatible with older, slower systems. If you can give us more specific info we can go from there, okay?

 

[PretendHer]

It is a piece of sh** Packard Bell...

Motherboard FM530

·Chipset: TRITON 82430VX PCI set provides memory control, PCI bus control, ISA bus compatibility, and bus mastering IDE support
·82437VX system controller, 82438VX (TDX) for data path and 82371SB (PIIX3) for PCI ISA bridge
·50/60/66 MHz processor bus speeds
·PCI clock is one-half processor bus speed
·Supports System Memory Management (SMM) mode; two modes VESA DPMS (Video Electronics Standards Association Display Power Management Signaling) via SMM; IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) spin-down via SMM; APM (Advanced Power Management) 1.2 compliant
·PCI 2.1 compliant


I installed: PNY Memory Master Upgrade Kit 128MB SDRAM.


Thanks so much for your help...waiting patiently.

 

[mechBgon]

Excellent information there. Is the additional memory PC133 memory or PC100 memory, does the package say? PC100 is generally going to be backwards compatible to your system (which uses PC66), but some PC133 has individual chips which don't jive with your 430VX chipset.

If you'd like guaranteed-compatible memory, try Crucial's memory configurator here.

 

[PretendHer]

Here is the link to the PNY site and the memory I purchased..."Memory Master." The package itself doesn't tell me and this is a little bit out of my league here. Hope this helps further.

PNY Memory Master

 

[mechBgon]

Looking at the module, does it have a sticker with any additional info on it? How many chips does it have (I'm guessing it has four or else eight)?

Also, what model of Packard Bell is it?

 

[redbeard1]

Some system makers saved money by limiting what size ram their computers could use. Though a VX chipset may have been able to see more ram, it has probably been limited by packard bell for their application.

The other thing is what the other posts have alluded to, in that this new ram is probably not intel compatible, so even if the system can except a 128 meg stick of ram, it's not going to be that ram.

The simplest way to check what your system can handle is to go to the link below to crucial, and go through the memory chooser for your system model. The chooser will tell you what your system capabilities are, besides teling you what ram they have for it.

Crucial Packard Bell

 

[PretendHer]

The package shows 8 chips in the illustration.

And the computer is a Packard Bell Model Number 730

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: PretendHer
The package shows 8 chips in the illustration.

And the computer is a Packard Bell Model Number 730

Hmm, Crucial only lists one module for the Multimedia 730, a 32Mb PC66 one. At $49, it's priced very steep but it's guaranteed to work.

I dredged up a little additional info about the chipset (Intel 430VX) and found that its maximum TOTAL memory capacity is 128Mb, so the next thing to try is to remove the original 32Mb and see if it will now use the 128Mb module you bought. The system's performance will drop about 20% if you have more than 64Mb of memory, but may still end up faster since it will have a lot of extra "desk space" to work with, rather than having to stow things on the hard drive when you switch from one task to another.

Good luck

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Are you certain the ram's seated correctly? Sometimes it's necessary to "break in" the slot and can take several trys to get a stick to seat completely. Edit looks like Mech has the answer

 

[PretendHer]

I will try that tomorrow Mech and let you know what happens. It's late and I've been attempting to work this out all day by reading the manual and searching for info online.

I want to thank you all for the help and suggestions...I always find someone to here to help me when I'm in a jam. And I usually end up learning some things along the way too.

Will let you know how it works out tomorrow.

Again, THANKS!!!!!

 

[Lord Evermore]

It appears you're screwed. According to this, the board won't accept 128MB modules, only 64MB max (which jibes with the max of 128MB with 2 slots).

 

[PretendHer]

I think so too...but how is the dang cd-burner working on 32MB? Is that logical? I've had no problems running it at all...

Responses please

 

[Lord Evermore]

What do you mean how is it running? What would the memory count have to do with your CD burner working? If the specs say something like 128MB memory required, this is mainly for the software to run well. It'll probably still work just fine, you just have a higher likelihood of things like buffer underruns (and if your drive has something like SmartBurn or BurnProof, then you may not have any problems at all, just slower burn times).

 

[PretendHer]

You were right. The manual shows that, in order to upgrade to 128MB I have to use 64MB modules. So, it was reading only 32MB from the 128MB module I had installed.

Only option I had was to install the original 32MB module, leave the 128MB module where it was (reading 32MB) for a total of 64MB.

Still screwed, somewhat, but I'll have to live with it until I purchase a new computer.

Again, thanks for all the help.

 

[Lord Evermore]

Well the KVR133X64C3/64 Kingston PC133 module is only 18 bucks with free shipping at Newegg. Not exactly breaking the bank, just don't eat out one day. Heck, it's only 16 bucks direct from Kingston with free shipping. Call or email them to find out what density the chips are and if it'll work with your board. Googlegear also has a PC100 64MB module that is likely to work well.

Pricewatch even has PC66 as low as 6 bucks (you have to search for it though).