How to add new memory...

[Guest]

I just bought PNY Tech.'s SRAM 256 to upgrade my memory since my computer was
running so slow. I have installed it, but my machine doesn't seem to
recognize the extra memory-( it doesn't show the added RAM in the system
information box.) I have a Dell Dimension 2200 series with Windows XP.
Shouldn't my computer (or a Wizard) notice that new hardware has been added?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Warmly,

Taryn

 

[Squire]

Your Owners Manual should tell you what kind of memory the mother board can use, and in what quantity.
Also in what order they need to be installed.

 

[gf]

taryn,

could you be more specific about what memory you purchased?

Your computer uses non-ECC SDRAM modules (you meant sdram, right?) and can
use a maximum of 512 mb

It needs to be pc-100 sdram...the memory you cited comes in two speeds,
pc100 and pc133. In the past,you could often get away with using pc133 ram
in your computer, and it would simply throttle down, and an uninformed
clerk/tech may believe that is still the case, but if you purchased PNY's
133 ram today, it will NOT work.

You need the pc-100 sdram (which is trickier to find)

If that is what you have, your motherboard should recognize it (assuming you
are not maxing out above 512mb). If it is not recognizing it, remove the
sdram module and try to insert it again....my experince with these mobos is
that they are a little finnicky, and they need to be inserted "just right"

 

[Ron Martell]

I just bought PNY Tech.'s SRAM 256 to upgrade my memory since my computer was
running so slow. I have installed it, but my machine doesn't seem to
recognize the extra memory-( it doesn't show the added RAM in the system
information box.) I have a Dell Dimension 2200 series with Windows XP.
Shouldn't my computer (or a Wizard) notice that new hardware has been added?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Warmly,

Taryn

Did you confirm that the RAM that you purchased was the correct
specification for your computer?

Try removing the old RAM and running the computer with just the new
RAM installed.

The result should be one of the following:
1. The computer does not start at all. In that case the RAM is
installed incorrectly, or it is defective, or it is totally
incompatible with your computer.
2. The computer starts up, but it only reports 128 mb of RAM
installed. In that case you have purchased the wrong type of RAM for
your computer. You have a high-density single sided PC133 SDRAM
module and your computer requires either PC100 SDRAM or low-density
double sided PC133 SDRAM.
3. The computer starts up and runs okay and reports 256 mb of RAM
installed. In that case you need to use Start - Run - MSCONFIG and go
to the BOOT.INI tab. Click on the Advanced options button and make
sure that the checkbox for the /MAXMEM line is clear and that there is
no value entered in the data box for that line.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."