I cant use PC133 256MB RAM

[peedy]

Hi,
I have a HP Pavilion 7850 PC, which came with a 128MB PC100 SDRAM.
I purchased 2 256MB PC133 RAM, and tried replacing it. But then the PC just beeps, there is no display.

I contacted HP customer support, and they replied back as follows. Can I use PC133 RAMs in my Machine? Do I need to change some jumper?

Hello Yogin,

Thank you for contacting HP Customer Care.

Since you wish to upgrade the memory in your computer, let us have a
detailed look into the specifications for the memory in your computer:

Component Attributes

RAM (standard) 128 megabytes (MB) PC 100

Maximum 512 MB (2 x 256 MB DIMM)

Speed 100 MHz synchronous

Sockets Two 168-pin DIMMs

Size 32, 64, 128, and 256 MB DIMMs

Free DIMM socket 1

Pairs Required No

Type Supported SDRAM, 100 MHz, Intel PC SDRAM unbuffered DIMM
specification, revision 1.0 compliant

From the above information it is clear that the maximum amount of memory that can be installed in your computer is 512 MB of SDRAM with a speed
of 100 MHz.

Hence, although you can install two memory modules of 128 MB with a
speed of 100 MHz, you should not install two 256 MB memory with a speed
of 133 MHz. It might cause certain incompatibilities within your
system. Hence, it is suggested that you install memory modules with a
speed of 100 MHz only.



- Peedy

 

[ScottyB]

It is the same stuff but it is rated to run up to 133 mHz instead of 100 mHz.

 

[peedy]

Then what do you think should the problem be? Is there any jumper settings?
The system just beeps. Do you think it might be a faulty memory? I dont think so, because I bought them separately and both are different brands (kingston & centon). And they are new. One was from best buy and other was from Circuit City.

Can you give any ideas, as to what should I try?

 

[CraigRT]

Try just putting one of the 256MB sticks in, one at a time... if one doesn't work, put in the other. try that way.
you might just have one stick that won't work, still might be able to use the 128 and a 256 together.

 

[loafbred]

Like Yield said, fully test each dimm by itself. If they both work alone, then it may be that the two brands won't work together on that board. Some motherboards are very touchy about needing nearly identical dimms. In my Asus A7V133, I tried mixing 256MB Corsair PC150 with 128MB Crucial PC133, and couldn't get it to run stable. I mixed an old double-sided dimm of Crucial with a newer single-sided Crucial dimm, and it ran at 2-2-2.

Also, are your dimm slots perfectly clean, and are you pushing the dimms in far enough to cause the latches to engage? They're very difficult to snap in on most boards. The first time I added RAM to a PC, I ended up taking it to a shop because I was afraid to push down hard on the dimms.

 

[peedy]

Originally posted by: loafbred
Like Yield said, fully test each dimm by itself. If they both work alone, then it may be that the two brands won't work together on that board. Some motherboards are very touchy about needing nearly identical dimms. In my Asus A7V133, I tried mixing 256MB Corsair PC150 with 128MB Crucial PC133, and couldn't get it to run stable. I mixed an old double-sided dimm of Crucial with a newer single-sided Crucial dimm, and it ran at 2-2-2.

Also, are your dimm slots perfectly clean, and are you pushing the dimms in far enough to cause the latches to engage? They're very difficult to snap in on most boards. The first time I added RAM to a PC, I ended up taking it to a shop because I was afraid to push down hard on the dimms.

I will give it a try tonight. Lets see if it works.

Thanks.

 

[OS]

It's also possible your computer does not take high density ram, which most new dimms are. What chipset is your computer?

 

[bozo1]

That system uses an Intel 810e chipset. As far as I know, no Intel chipsets support high-density RAM which is probably what you bought.

 

[majewski9]

yeah if you have LX chipset then those 256megs stick wont work. I think LX only supports meg sticks at least my LX board does.

 

[RanDum72]

Does the memory have chips on only one side of PCB? If so, then you probably have high density memory, which some chipsets doesn't support.

 

[Macro2]

I had this problem with an HP. It turned out the RAM was some crappy it wasn't backwards compatible. It was K-byte. What's yours?

 

[arcenite]

I have this problem w/ my friend's Compaq. His system has a 100Mhz FSB. I bought 3 sticks of 256mb PC133 for my system so now my HP 8760C runs at the max 133mhz Bus instead of the original 100mhz bus (System came w/ PC100). I tried to put that PC100 chip into my friends computer and the computer does nothing. His Compaq did not come w/ a computer speaker, but I'd guess that it is beeping. I'd guess it's just another proprietery deal w/ compaq. Ick.

Bill

 

[peedy]

I tried once again, single chip by single. But didnt work. Same beeping. When inserting with 128MB PC100, it shows only 128MB available.

So I guess I am stuck with the PC133 ones.

Thanks ya'all.

- Yogin