wrong memory, affect computer?

[lockmac]

Hey
I sold my computer to his friend, and he doesnt know much, but he decided to put new memory into it. It is a GA-VAXP board, that supports upto PC2700 as their website states. He bought PC3200, and not knowing, he put it into the board. In the same process, he replaced the graphic card. The system is not booting now, nothing on the screen, even with the original graphic card in and the RAM that he put in taken out, basically the system back to the way it was.

My question is, could the computer not be working because he put in PC3200 RAM into the board when it supposedly only accepts PC2700 and below?

 

[DemonicPenguin]

I doubt this will solve the problem, but have you tried re-setting the CMOS? Putting in that pc3200 RAM may have done something to the BIOS that's causing it not to boot. That's the only thing I can think could be wrong. :\

 

[lockmac]

OK, the website says it takes PC2700, but no mention of PC3200. The PC is now working, with the PC3200 in. !

 

[Peter]

That's because the PCxxxx label only tells you the _maximum_ speed this DIMM _may_ be run at. The actual operating frequency is supplied by the mainboard. The lower speed limit for off-the-shelf DDR RAM chips is 83 MHz, so no problem there if you run the 200-MHz-capable stuff at 166.

 

[FastEddie]

And clearing the cmos cleared the data from the previous modules installed.

 

[lockmac]

I think im understanding what peter is saying, is that that the memory is capable of those speeds, but it doesnt have to run at those speeds?

Also, he didnt clear the CMOS to get it working. He just waited a while and it worked

 

[Peter]

Originally posted by: FastEddie
And clearing the cmos cleared the data from the previous modules installed.

No. BIOS doesn't remember these, they're freshly read from SPD EEPROM on the DIMM every time you turn the machine on.

However: If you did have aggressive MANUAL tuning in place, and you're putting a slower DIMM in, then the thing might very well not boot anymore and require a CMOS reset.