Memory support for this Biostar MB...

jquintjr

Junior Member
Apr 8, 2004
13
0
0
Hello,

This question is actually for a co-worker. His motherboard is Biostar model P4M800-M7. He said he picked up a 512mb stick of PC3200 (modest needs), and when he boots up, he gets a black screen and some beeping. The memory specs for the board are (from the PDF manual):

Main Memory:

Supports up to 2 DDR devices.
Supports 133/166/200MHz DDR devices.
Maximum memory size is up to 2GB. (Following table is only for
reference.)
DIMM Socket

...

I explained that he might have an imcompatibility due to the 400mhz speed. I see that the boards supports 200mhz, but I would think the 400mhz stick should still work, but not utilize the entire 400mhz. I checked newegg, and the lowest DDR offering is some 266mhz PC2100 sticks. I'd hate to suggest to get that should the board not like the 266mhz rating.

I guess the main point I'm wondering about this is;

1. Can this motherboard utilize a PC3200 stick of ram even though the board supports up to 200mhz? If so, then his memory should work, but might be an ECC compatibility issue? And of course the possibility of a bad module...

 

CoachB

Senior member
Aug 24, 2005
204
0
71
From what I found about this board, the memory should run just fine (of course we know very little about what memory it is). Is it one stick of memory 512mb or two 2X256mb?
Have you checked the voltage the memory is supposed to need? Is the board providing that?
Have you checked the timings the memory is rated for and made sure the bios is configured properly?
This board doesn't need ECC memory. What did he buy?
Count the number and note the duration of the beeps at startup. That may give a clue as to what is causing a problem.

Sorry for all the questions but more info helps root out the problem.
 

jquintjr

Junior Member
Apr 8, 2004
13
0
0
Originally posted by: CoachBSorry for all the questions but more info helps root out the problem.

No problem. He's defintely using 1 stick of 512mb. I'll see what info I can get out of him.