Poll: Motherboard reports 128mByte RAM instead of 256MByte RAM

[jon2]

I'm trying to add more memory to my system. I bought a 256Mbyte RAM but my system only reports that I have only 128Mbyte Ram. I tried the cheap ones and the expensive ones and they all have the same problem. I also updated my BIOS version to the latest version. I also tried to put the 256mbyte stick into each of the 3 memory slots


Anybody have the same problems as I have?


AOpen AX6BC Motherboard
Intel 450Mhz PIII CPU
128mByte RAM

 

[blurredvision]

Is it your BIOS or Windows itself that is reporting the 128MB of RAM??? If it is the operating system, which OS do you use??

 

[Biggs]

What are your RAM specs? Are you sure you bought a 256MB RAM?

 

[jon2]

The BIOS can only see 128Mbyte of the 256Mbyte RAM.

 

[jon2]

I'm sure I bought a 256Mbyte RAM because I tried to put it on a friends MB and it can see all 256Mbyte of RAM

 

[Biggs]

If you boot to Windows and check the amount of memory, what does it say?

 

[jon2]

Even Windows can only see 128Mbyte of RAM

 

[Biggs]

Try using 2 sticks of 128MB RAM(if available) and see what happens.
If this won't work then I guess something is wrong with your mobo.

 

[Howard]

Most older motherboards cannot support the higher densities of today's RAM chips. If your friend's motherboard is new (or somewhat new), then that may be a problem.

 

[John]

<looking for poll>

 

[DesignDawg]

You have a BX motherboard. BX motherboards can not see both &quot;sides&quot; of your stick of RAM. I assume this RAM is in the 32x4 configuration? BX mobos can only see half of that amount. There is RAM that can be used in a BX that's 256 MB, but you have to be sure your mobo supports it. It will not support these new &quot;athlon only&quot; modules.

Ricky
DesignDawg

 

[jon2]

My friends motherboard was new.

According to Aopen's website, the AX6BC motherboard's max memory is 768Mbyte of RAM so I assume that since I have 3 memory slots, that each one can hold 256mbyte of RAM

 

[jon2]

Is there a RAM that can be used on BX mobos with 256Mbyte. If my mobo can only see 128Mbyte of the 256 then maybe it can only see one side of my RAM

 

[GFORCE100]

Check for BIOS updates.

 

[Viperoni]

Whats the brand of the memory?
Synchmax hates BX mobo's.

 

[jon2]

I tried toshiba brand with lifetime warranty and other unbranded(90-day warranty) and it didn't work

 

[jon2]

i have updated my bios from Aopen and one of the fixes for the bios(and the older BIOSes) did not say anything about memory counting error

 

[monotone]

I think the ram needs to be 16x8, not 32x4 to use it. How many chips does the ram have?

 

[GFORCE100]

How old is this motherboards? All new boards accept 256MB DIMM's and some 512MB DIMM's too. Download the manual to your hardware and examine the memory config section, some fruitful information should be to your disposal in that section.

 

[DesignDawg]

Like i said, and like monotone said, your board is a BX. 32x4 will not work in it.

More details.

Ricky
DesignDawg

 

[jon2]

so what type of 256Mbyte RAM should I look for?

 

[monotone]

It usually goes like this:

64mb 8x4 (8x64)
128mb 16x4 (16x64)
256mb 32x4 (32x64)

Since your mobo can't see more than 16mbit per layer of your 256mb stick it doesn't work. What you should get would be something like 16x8 (16x128), allthough i've never seen that.

You should contact Aopen and ask which 256mb ram stick to get, and where to get it.

Edit: You could also go to pricewatch, and search for 16x8 and 256mb.