Cant get a ram upgrade to work...

[Guest]

Hi, I just bought a 512 mb ram stick to put into my computer which currently
only has 256. However when i put it in and try to start the computer up, the
screen stays black and the computer makes the same noises it normally would
for a few seconds, then starts doing a long beep, and continues beeping every
4-5 seconds. Ive read some stuff about reseting CMOS, but dont know how to
do that. I really dont know anything about computers so please make any
responses very detailed, and any links to sites that can walk you through it
with pictures, or any kind of diagrams or really good descriptions of what to
do would be greatly appreciated, thanks everyone.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Does your computer support 512mb sticks?.. do you have the right type?.. is
your computer fitted with three or four memory slots?.. did you buy the
memory from a reliable source?.. do you have a motherboard manual to guide
you?.. do you know the make and model of your motherboard?.. do you know how
to search on Google?..

To start you off.. www.crucial.com .. www.kingston.com

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Hi, I just bought a 512 mb ram stick to put into my computer which
currently only has 256. However when i put it in and try to start
the computer up, the screen stays black and the computer makes the
same noises it normally would for a few seconds, then starts doing a
long beep, and continues beeping every 4-5 seconds. Ive read some
stuff about reseting CMOS, but dont know how to do that. I really
dont know anything about computers so please make any responses very
detailed, and any links to sites that can walk you through it with
pictures, or any kind of diagrams or really good descriptions of what
to do would be greatly appreciated, thanks everyone.

Technically - it sounds like you bought before you researched.
(In other words - you did not buy the proper type (or number) of sticks of
RAM or bought an amount your system does not support or in a combination it
does not support.)

What you should (should have) done is the following:

( All of this can be skipped if you have your documentation in order and
have the motherboard manual. )
Download and install/run Belarc Advisor to take an inventory of your PC. It
should tell you the motherboard manufacturer and model number. If it does
not or if you want to double-check it's results - download and install/run
the Everest Home Edition.

Belarc Advisor
http://belarc.com/free_download.html

EVEREST Home Edition
http://www.lavalys.com/products/download.php?pid=1&lang=en

Once you know what your motherboard manufacturer is - first go to their web
page and find your model number in their support pages and try to find the
manual for your motherboard.


Now that you have the model number - go here:

http://www.crucial.com/

and use their step by step process to discover what you need to buy. You
can either buy it there or write down what you need and price it elsewhere.
Places to look for deals:

- http://www.pricewatch.com/
- http://www.dealsites.net/
- http://www.techbargains.com/
- http://www.edealinfo.com/
- http://www.fatwallet.com/
- http://www.epinions.com/
- http://www.couponfinders.com/

Then purchase and install your RAM according to the manual.

 

[Guest]

Ok i downloaded hte program, i have a giga-byte GA 8SIML motherboard which is
capable of 2GB of ram. Then i did a search on crucial for what memory sticks
are compatible, and the search results give ones that are the same as the one
i bought, which is a kingston 512mb pc2700 184 pin DIMM. I bought the ram
from future shop, the same place i bought the computer from, and the retailer
said that the only thing that could be incompatible is the speed which i
didnt know at the time, so he gave me a 333hz one and said if it wasnt the
right one, then there was only one other type that would fit, in which case i
could bring it back. Is it possible that a 512mb stick and a 256 mb stick is
not a valid combination? It says it will support mixed combinations of stick
sizes, but im still not sure. Anyways thanks for allthe help youve given me
so far, if anyone has any more suggestions on what to try, let me know,
otherwise ill take it in on monday and have it done, but i could really use
it now.

 

[Jerry]

Ok i downloaded hte program, i have a giga-byte GA 8SIML motherboard which
is
capable of 2GB of ram. Then i did a search on crucial for what memory
sticks
are compatible, and the search results give ones that are the same as the
one
i bought, which is a kingston 512mb pc2700 184 pin DIMM. I bought the ram
from future shop, the same place i bought the computer from, and the
retailer
said that the only thing that could be incompatible is the speed which i
didnt know at the time, so he gave me a 333hz one and said if it wasnt the
right one, then there was only one other type that would fit, in which
case i
could bring it back. Is it possible that a 512mb stick and a 256 mb stick
is
not a valid combination? It says it will support mixed combinations of
stick
sizes, but im still not sure. Anyways thanks for allthe help youve given
me
so far, if anyone has any more suggestions on what to try, let me know,
otherwise ill take it in on monday and have it done, but i could really
use
it now.

 

[Guest]

Okay well i admitted i dont know much about computers, but ive now looked
up the proper info and from what i can tell i have a compatible ram stick for
my computer, so im looking for help. Obviously i realize its my own problem,
but thatnks for pointing it out, that was very helpful jerry, but i dont know
what to do and since its well past store hours where i am and theres been a
dangerous amount of snow on the roads all day, i thought i would come here
hopeing someone could provide me with a solution. So if anyone besides jerry
can give me any more tips, i would appreciate it, but if youre going to post
something like my helpful friend jerry did, well dont bother, i can wait
until tommorow.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi, I just bought a 512 mb ram stick to put into my computer which currently
only has 256. However when i put it in and try to start the computer up, the
screen stays black and the computer makes the same noises it normally would
for a few seconds, then starts doing a long beep, and continues beeping every
4-5 seconds. Ive read some stuff about reseting CMOS, but dont know how to
do that. I really dont know anything about computers so please make any
responses very detailed, and any links to sites that can walk you through it
with pictures, or any kind of diagrams or really good descriptions of what to
do would be greatly appreciated, thanks everyone.

It's apparent that the new RAM module is either defective or incompatible.

It is absolutely essential that any new RAM module(s) be fully
compatible with both the motherboard and/or any other RAM module(s)
already in the system. Additionally, there are sometimes jumper
switches on older motherboards that need to be reset for new RAM
configurations. Consult your motherboard's manual or the
manufacturer's web site for specific instructions and compatibility
requirements.

If you cannot lay your hands upon the computer's manual and the
manufacturer doesn't provide a support web site, you can use these
utilities to help determine the correct type of RAM needed:

SiSoft's Sandra
http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/index.php?dir=&location=sware_dl&lang=en

Belarc Advisor
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Unlimited Possibilities' AIDA32
http://forum.aumha.org/overflow/aida32.zip

Also, Crucial Memory's web site (www.crucial.com) has a database
to help to find the right RAM for your specific make and model
computer and/or motherboard.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

You mentioned beeps in the original post.. take a look at this..

http://www.pchell.com/hardware/beepcodes.shtml#ami

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Guest]

Thank you, those were both helpful posts and i appreciate the info!