RAM size

[Daave]

Please let me know if I got this right .

You have three sticks of RAM (I'm not counting the stick you identified
as dead). One (the original, presumably) is 256 MB. The other two, which
you recently purchased from an Ebay seller whose reputation is less than
stellar, are each 512 MB.

If the above is right and assuming your BIOS is configured correctly
(that might be a big if!), then you need to test each stick of RAM using
both programs I mentioned earlier. And I mean test! You need to
determine if any or both of the new ones is defective. For example,
place one of the new 512MB sticks in the first slot (nothing else in the
other!). Test it. Use both programs. Repeat the procedure in the other
slot. Then do the same thing with the other stick.

Or perhaps you've done this already. In another post, did you pretty
much say one of the new sticks isn't working right? If that's the case,
can you run with 768MB (using the two sticks that are known to work)? If
so, the mystery is solved!

What kind of graphics card do you have? Is it a discrete card? Or is it
onboard?

Whether or not you need to access the BIOS for this particular issue,
you really should resolve that issue. You should post to the appropriate
HP forum.

 

[Bob]

Dave,

Correct, i have 3 sticks, 256, and two 512's and dispute with paypal ongoing
now
:-(
I ran Memtest86 with both the 512's in and both were fine, and stataed i had
1024.
I ran it with one 512 and the 256 as well.
It seems the only issues that state I have 512 when both slots are filled
and have 1024 is crucial.com, and in windows/start/run/msinfo32
says my total physcial memory is 512.

I just posted today on compaq site, hoepfully I can get more info there.
I looked for a bios update, there is a few but not sure what I need...what
is a bios flash anyway ? someone mentioned that may help me

I guess I should belive memtest.

Is there somehwere in windows that I should check to verify actaula memeory,
or do you think my system properties and memetest results stating 1024 is
accurate and good enough?I do not know graphics card, it is a COMPAQ EVO N610c

States card is an moility radeon 7500.
not sure if it is onboard or what

 

[Daave]

Dave,

Correct, i have 3 sticks, 256, and two 512's and dispute with paypal
ongoing
now
:-(
I ran Memtest86 with both the 512's in and both were fine, and stataed
i had
1024.
I ran it with one 512 and the 256 as well.
It seems the only issues that state I have 512 when both slots are
filled
and have 1024 is crucial.com, and in windows/start/run/msinfo32
says my total physcial memory is 512.

So is you have one 256MB and one 512MB, what is your total physical
memory when you run msinfo32?

If all of your sticks are in good shape, my guess is that you need to
change a BIOS setting.

I looked for a bios update, there is a few but not sure what I
need...what
is a bios flash anyway ? someone mentioned that may help me

Flashing the BIOS chip is a way to upgrade it. But this is probably not
necessary, Still, you need to enter the BIOS and note the settings.
Hopefully there is one for RAM you can change to the proper value.

 

[Bob]

Daave,

The 256 is extra. I only have two slots and 512 in each slot.
Msinfo32 says I have 512 physcial memory,
Crucial.com says i have 512

windows system properties as well as startup says 1024
but maybe most importantly, memtest86+ says 1024

Even when I have the 256 in with a 512, everything is the same it only picks
up 512. except the tests that are correct above, memtest says 768

 

[Daave]

The 256 is extra. I only have two slots and 512 in each slot.
Msinfo32 says I have 512 physcial memory,
Crucial.com says i have 512

windows system properties as well as startup says 1024
but maybe most importantly, memtest86+ says 1024

Even when I have the 256 in with a 512, everything is the same it
only picks up 512. except the tests that are correct above, memtest
says 768

Sounds like a BIOS setting issue. While booting up, F10 should get you
into the BIOS (aka Computer Setup). Under Boot Options, you should see
the following:

<quote>
QuickBoot, which starts the notebook more quickly by eliminating some
startup tests. (If you suspect a memory failure and want to test memory
automatically during startup, disable QuickBoot.)
</quote>

Disabling QuickBoot (thereby allowing for a full boot) will hopefully
recount the memory. If you are unable to enter the BIOS, you should post
to the HP forum for assistance.

 

[Bob]

Yes, I was thinking it may be a BIOS issue, but can't get in.
I want to just delete the SAM file, bt not ure if tat is a good idea.

I did post in Compaq forum two days but no answers yet.
Not as busy as here.

Thanks for all your help and responses, it is much appreicated. !

Bob

 

[Daave]

Yes, I was thinking it may be a BIOS issue, but can't get in.
I want to just delete the SAM file, bt not ure if tat is a good idea.

What is a SAM file? Whatever it is, I doubt it's related to the BIOS.
But I'm cuirous to know what it is.

When booting, what happens when you press F10?

I did post in Compaq forum two days but no answers yet.
Not as busy as here.

Please post the link if you don't mind.

Thanks for all your help and responses, it is much appreicated. !

YW.

 

[Bob]

I got a response, but I tried this and pulled the CMOS battery out...Ill try
again I guess.
http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service...236819&admit=109447626+1215471781795+28353475

The SAM file explination is here...this holds all password info.
Here is a post on it I found....I don't know if the SAM is associated with
Bios or just Windows...

""I know this post seems a little leghntly but it's because the problem takes
much to explain.

A few weeks ago I made a mistake in the registry by gettings permissions to
read the contents of SAM.

but after I was done I deleted my permissions and let the System have full
control of that key, did some work and restarted the pc but that's when I
realized I did something wrong because a message saying: LSASS.EXE-SSYSTEM
ERROR with the instructions to restart th pc in safe mode and read the system
events for info but that meassege box still appears and it causes Windows
Logon to freeze.

What I ideally decided to do is plug the hard disk into my other Windows
2000 PC and use regedit to restore the SAM from the C:\WINNT\repair folder to
the C:\WINNT\cofig folder but their I made another mistake because it seems
that SAM was a fresh file and wh it did is disaled my original suer account
and created a fresh new one.

The System profiles list seems to consider the former administrator and
Guest acount as unknown even though they are in the Windows NT registry key
list.

Being able to login I used System Restore to reverse the system to a ealier
point but I keep getting the "Restore Incomplete" "no changes have been made
to your system" message. There's some problems such as Explorer.exe restarts
when I do right click and click the File menu and I can't access the Control
Panel.

I know what I should do is re-install Windows XP but I Don't have the CD
because I picked up this PC up in front a moved neighbors house. Is there an
alternative way around this? please help!

 

[John John (MVP)]

I got a response, but I tried this and pulled the CMOS battery out...Ill try
again I guess.
http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service...236819&admit=109447626+1215471781795+28353475

The SAM file explination is here...this holds all password info.
Here is a post on it I found....I don't know if the SAM is associated with
Bios or just Windows...

The SAM file has nothing to do with the BIOS, it's the NT Security
Account Manager's database where user accounts, security descriptors
and passwords are stored. If you delete this file all the local user
accounts will be nullified.

John

 

[Daave]

I got a response, but I tried this and pulled the CMOS battery
out...Ill try
again I guess.
http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service...236819&admit=109447626+1215471781795+28353475

The SAM file explination is here...this holds all password info.
Here is a post on it I found....I don't know if the SAM is associated
with
Bios or just Windows... <snip>

I got it now.

John John's right. The sam file has absolutely nothing to do with the
BIOS. And you don't want to touch it! The site you referenced (Offline
NT Password & Registry Editor) only applies to Windows. The BIOS has
nothing to do with Windows.

So, again, what happens exactly when you hit F10 when you boot? If you
are unable to enter the BIOS, you need to start a new thread to that
effect at the HP forum.

 

[Lil' Dave]

And the banks share what slots, and identical RAM modules share what slots?

--
Dave

Speculation on a product or material that is
an obvious need, is not speculation per se
as there is no risk to the speculator.
Common were those selling food and other
supplies in the gold rush days.
In this case, its oil and its everyone who
bites the bullet. And most everyone has no gold
to be made, just business as usual.