RESOLVED : DDR2 memory upgrade gone bad - need advice.

[palouse]

ASUS A8M2N-LA motherboard, BIOS 3.0 (?2006?)
AMD 3500+ AM2
(Compaq Presario SR2020MX)
Two memory slots, Compaq says 2GB maximum and PC5300 acceptable.
Old memory: 2 X 256MB DDR2
New memory: 1 x 2GB DDR2 Kingston blister pack from BestBuy
WindowsXP, service pack 3.

Friends asked me to help improve performance on their desktop. They do nothing more than try to read Yahoo mail on IE 7 while McAffee is running in the background. I do simple checks, and can see 512MB physical memory, most of which is running security processes in the background, much paging, no Idle Processes available. Not enough memory for smooth XP operation.

Given their simple computing needs, I decide mem upgrade in order, and to keep upgrade simple. Due to time constraints and distances traveled, Best Buy seemed the right place to find any mem upgrade. The 2GB Kingston module was the lowest price option, otherwise was $15 more for 2X1GB Kingston or Crucial. Of course, I could have done a 1X1GB module. (No other options at BB.)

Now, with 1X2GB, system has intermittent freeze-up. Sometimes at the "loading Windows" screen, sometimes in application after Windows login, sometimes will not boot from "power on." Freeze up means no mouse control, no applications functioning or able to start. No "system event" recorded upon freeze up. Power down (hold power button for 5 seconds) is only way to clear "freeze - up".

I ensured that I had good ground while I handled DIMMs. I have reseated DIMM several times, tried changing sockets, and generally ensured RAM installed properly. (RAM only works in socket nearest CPU socket.) System runs well (much faster) prior to freeze up, or while it is running. Stayed stable enough to run Updater for XP SP2 to XP SP3 upgrade; turned machine off, next day freeze-up on BOOT.

Given remote location, I don't have Memtest available unless/until I go back to their place.

What gives with the freeze ups? Bad DIMM? Incompatible config? Still not seated correctly? BIOS?

Thank you for your help and advice.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

How many DIMM slots?

I'm guessing that there are 2 slots, and both were filled previously. If the board specifies a maximum of 2GB, and there are 2 slots, you can probably only put a 1GB DIMM in each slot.

The PC is likely choking because it doesn't accept 2GB DIMMs. Try 2x1GB instead.

 

[palouse]

I thought about 2x1GB, also. Yes, two slots. I don't understand why it would work well, when it does work. I would think it would work all the time, or none of the time, if 1X2GB DIMM was not compatible.

In general, is better stability achieved with match pairs of DIMMs versus installing one DIMM? I don't want to go back through the returns process to get 2x1GB and have it not work. Anyone have experience with RAM in the GeForce 6150 LE chipset; is it restricted to 1GB per slot?

Thank you for your reply.

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Whoops, I misinterpreted your original post. I think you meant "2GB max per slot", whereas I read it as 2GB max in total.

According to the HP/Compaq page for that board, 4GB is the maximum, so there shouldn't be a problem with a 2GB DIMM.

The RAM may be bad. I would try installing it in the other slot first, and if that still fails, running memtest.

 

[palouse]

You had it correct the first time. Compaq website says "approved" memory is 2GB max, I assume total for the board. ASUS site does not list the A8M2N-LA. Compaq site does not say per-slot limit of 2GB, I assume 2GB limit for the two slots.

A8M2N-LA

 

[0roo0roo]

approved goes beyond that. there is no garrantee the random stick off the shelf will work with a particular board. its luck if you do that. they generally list a compatibility list of memory for a system/motherboard.

as always memtest over night. one stick at a time. then perhaps both. perhaps the ram might be good yet fail anyways if the power requirement is slightly off from what the mb can handle etc.

 

[Billb2]

The 2 gig module works until 1 gig of it's registers are filled. The very next bit (storred a the non-accessable register) is lost. Depending on how much data is lost and how important it is to the function of the computer any number of things could happen, incluing all the symptoms you list. 2 x 1 gig is the ticket. Though you could keep your 2 x 512 and add another matching 2 x 512. But matching up would be near impossible to do.

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: palouse
They do nothing more than try to read Yahoo mail on IE 7 while McAffee is running in the background. I do simple checks, and can see 512MB physical memory...

Excellent. This is more than twice as much physical memory as what they need. Unfortunately, the GeForce 6150 LE handles "up to" 256 megs of shared memory, so the machines are running with considerably less than 512 available for Windows. Still, even if the full 256 was being used, 256megs remaining should be more than enough for browsing the Interwebs.

...most of which is running security processes in the background, much paging, no Idle Processes available. Not enough memory for smooth XP operation.

That's probably McAfee. No surprise, they're quite famous for it (they're also famous for a high rate of false positives). Norton saw the error of their perf ways this year, McAfee will hopefully figure it out next year. Free with a Comcast subscription doesn't mean you should use it...I certainly don't.

But I digress. I doubt that 1x2GB was ever tested with that board, since the board was likely designed (and released) before 1x2 PC5300 was released. I would be surprised if anyone got it stable. I would agree with Billb2 that 2x1 might be the ticket.

But before exchanging, I would recommend uninstalling McAfee and drop the original RAM back in. Then go with the latest AVG9 or Avira releases for antivirus. This alone might give them enough performance for surfing the web.

 

[SpeedEng66]

just pissin in the wind

did you try to go into bios?
maybe dual channel option is still checked..

 

[palouse]

I did check the BIOS. Very few options, just the "standard" menu. Expected, I guess. ASUS does not even support the board.

(Also. Uninstalling apps is not an option. Regardless of app mix, system is memory bound.)

 

[Gunbuster]

Crucial shows 1 gig max per stick on the HP - Compaq Presario SR2020LA Desktop/PC.

not the same model but pretty close.

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: palouse
Regardless of app mix, system is memory bound

That is incorrect. Allow me to clarify: even if the 6150 is sucking 256 megs for video (and it's not), the remaining available 256 megs is plenty for IE7.

Example: I built an XP machine out of old parts a few years ago for my sister, who needed it for Photoshop 6. It had an 1800+ and 256 megs (dedicated video card). She could run both IE7 and PS6, and performance was perfectly fine.

Your friends have performance problems with a much more powerful machine running just IE7.

That system is not memory bound.

 

[palouse]

Thanks to all that contributed. BestBuy was great at exchanging the 1x2GB for two 1GB DIMMs. System is stable, no freeze ups (with some testing).