New Ram - Problems

[SpongeBob]

I just got a set of Kingmax 2 x 512 PC3200 DDR RAM. I want to replace the single stick of 256MB PC2700 that I had in my system. I took the 256MB stick out and replaced it with both 512MB sticks and the PC posts fine but gives me an error about missing some file and won't boot into windows. I tried reinstalling windows and I was getting all sorts of errors during the file copying so I aborted. I put the 256MB stick back in and reinstalled windows with no problems. After that I tested out just putting 1 of the 512MB sticks in and it boots up fine and is stable in windows. Took that one out and tried the other one with the same result. So once again I tried putting both sticks in and I get the same problems I had initially. Here's the important details of my setup:

Asus P4S333
P4 1.6A Northwood
ATI Radeon VE Dual Display
2 IDE Hard Drives, 45GB and 80GB
Enermax 350W PSU

Help!!!

 

[stevty2889]

Did you try using differant slots when using 2 sticks of ram? Did you try using one of the new 512mb sticks with your old 256mb stick together?

 

[SpongeBob]

I tried both 512MB stick in all the slots but i didnt try mixing the 512MB and the 256MB.

 

[speed01]

It appears according to this that your board doesn't support PC3200 memory. You might want to try exchanging it for some more PC2700 instead, if you can.

Speed

 

[SpongeBob]

I was under the impression that it would just run at PC2700 (333mhz)???

 

[Appledrop]

Originally posted by: SpongeBob
I was under the impression that it would just run at PC2700 (333mhz)???

yep

 

[speed01]

Originally posted by: SpongeBob
I was under the impression that it would just run at PC2700 (333mhz)???

That would be correct. I really need to stop trying to read and think before the second cup of coffee . I just re-read your OP and see that the machine posts fine but refuses to run Windows and if it were a memory compatability issue that probably wouldn't be the case so ummmm...nevermind. Perhaps a memory timing issue? Have you tried resetting the bios to defaults? It sounds like bad ram or bios settings to me. Have you run Memtest on the new sticks to make sure they're both good?

Speed

 

[SpongeBob]

I tried resetting the bios defaults. I didn't run memtest but like I said it boots up fine with both of them seperately and is stable in windows. I can try running memtest when I get home from work.

 

[SpongeBob]

Alright I ran memtest on each module seperately. Ran for 45 minutes on each with no errors. I don't understand it!

 

[SpongeBob]

Ok....as if this weren't weird enough already. If I put all three stick in it works and is stable. Does that make any sense?

 

[stevty2889]

Perhaps your board didn't like the default SPD timings of the PC3200 memory, other than that you guess is as good as mine. If they all 3 work together, all is good.