Help! Computer Doesn't Recognize Ram

A

airwalkrr

New Member
I recently upgraded the memory on a Windows XP box, but my motherboard won't recognize the memory. The new memory is model number HPQ00-20853-604 (PC2100 1GB 266MHz DDR). I purchased two sticks of the same. The computer won't recognize either. I am using a KT2 Combo motherboard. I know the slots are fine. They still work with my old sticks, both of them 512 MB (one PC2700 one PC3200). My bios says the ram speed is 266 MHz and my manual says my motherboard is compatible with PC2100 (which you'd expect since I am running PC2700 and PC3200 currently). When the PC boots up the monitor is just blank. No beeps or anything. I've swapped both to each slot with the same result. I've also tried running them together with the same result. Is the memory defective or did I purchase the wrong RAM?

And before you ask, I am quite certain ESD is not the issue. I always ground myself before and during handling of all PC components.
 
I would say your motherboard has a memory limitation of 1gb total using the ddr slots. I see the board also has 2 pc100/pc133 slots. Make sure you aren't using both types at the same time, you can't do that.
 
It sounds like the RAM is bad or not compatible with your motherboard. The RAM you bought appears to be ECC (may be high density as well, I can't find anything one way or another). The KT266A supports ECC however MSI's page does make specific reference to unbuffered RAM. I think the ECC is why it's not working.
 
johnb35 said:
I would say your motherboard has a memory limitation of 1gb total using the ddr slots. I see the board also has 2 pc100/pc133 slots. Make sure you aren't using both types at the same time, you can't do that.
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The memory limitation of the board is 2GB (1GB per slot). I'm not using the SDR slots. It wouldn't even fit if I did.

Cromewell said:
It sounds like the RAM is bad or not compatible with your motherboard. The RAM you bought appears to be ECC (may be high density as well, I can't find anything one way or another). The KT266A supports ECC however MSI's page does make specific reference to unbuffered RAM. I think the ECC is why it's not working.
Click to expand...

I actually considered this too but am unable to find out for sure. My reference manual mentions ECC in the glossary but I can't find anything that says one way or another regarding whether the board supports ECC or not. Is there any other way you know of that I could check before I send the RAM back? It will determine whether I request a new set or just request a refund and/or exchange.
 
The only way I can think of is if you happened to have an otherwise identical stick without ECC (edit: some other random 1GB with ECC could help).

It could be a high density problem as well, that was quite common among ebay DDR.
 
Cromewell said:
The only way I can think of is if you happened to have an otherwise identical stick without ECC (edit: some other random 1GB with ECC could help).
Click to expand...
It would be wonderful if the world were that convenient. :)

Unfortunately I don't have any other sticks that are compatible with my MB besides the ones I am using and the ones I bought to upgrade it. And none of my other sticks are ECC (that I know of).

Cromewell said:
It could be a high density problem as well, that was quite common among ebay DDR.
Click to expand...
Well I don't buy computer components on eBay any more. I tried it once and learned the hard way that some people don't know what they are selling.

The sticks I bought are refurbished from Compeve, so I have wondered if it might be a quality control issue, but I have had a good experience with Compeve in the past.

I suppose at this point I might just have to eat the cost of shipping and request a refund. I am going to go through my manual with a fine-tooth comb tonight and see if I can scrounge up any more details that might offer a clue as to my problem, but in the meantime any more suggestions on what to look for would be greatly appreciated. Upgrading this old computer has been something of a bother.
 
Allow me to ask another question since I don't understand ECC too thoroughly. Does ECC always use buffering? If so, I think that might be the issue. The specifications in my manual say:

"Main Memory
>Support two 183-pin unbuffered PC2100/PC1600 DDR SDRAM or two 168-pin unbuffered PC100/133 SDRAM
>Supports up to 2GB memory size"

Thus if ECC relies on buffering I am convinced this is the problem since my board specifically only supports unbuffered memory. That being the case, it would seem logical for me to avoid ECC memory for this board's upgrades. Thoughts?
 
In practice buffered and ECC often come together but you could technically have an unbuffered ECC module or a buffered non-ECC. I think that this is your problem, if you have the option of exhanging the RAM you bought for non-ECC I would try that.
 
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