Help Installing RAM

Tekster

New Member
I'm no real techie but I do need to upgrade my RAM just because my older computer is slowing down.

The I want to take the 512 stick that's in there out and put in 2 1 gig sticks. No one, is installed perfectly but on the other memory slot, the handles are loose and wont snap to hold the other stick in place.

What should I do?

When I boot it up the computer only recognizes the first stick even if I think the second one is put in correctly.

Any suggestions.
 
You might be maxing out the motherboards supported memory. I had the same problem with an old Motherboard, so it didnt recognize one of my 512mb sticks.
 
Hmm, maybe you're right. Is there any program you can use to scan what type of motherboard you have and see what it's supported memory is?

I mean maybe the slot is just broken. I got the right DDR RAM and everything. I mean, it seems kind of pointless to make a second RAM slot but only support one.

It just kind of confuses me.
 
well...just because theres two slots doesnt mean it supports whatever you can fit in there. you can put a 2 gig stick in there and it wouldnt matter. once it hits its max, it wont go any further, aka...waste of money. i tend to think you just havent put the stick in all the way. its almost scary how much force you need to put them in. if you push one side in all the way, then push down the other one, the locking mechanism is built to work with pressure, so it kind of closes itself toward the end. if they ARE in, you may have damaged the RAM, in which case you can simply test them by booting up with one in at a time.

oh, and chances are, if the computer came with 512mb of ram, it can support 1gb. 99 percent of the time, manufacturers wont put in the maximum amount. and chances are, if its "slowing down", youve got viruses.
 
Last edited:
yeah, your motherboard probably supports only 1gb, thus when you put the second gig in, it doesn't recognize it because all it recognizes is 1gb.

what is your motherboard? if you know
 
ive got a similar problem my motherboard supports 4 gig of ram dimm. I can put to x 512mb sticks in pc3200 400mhz and it boots fine. when i put 3 sticks in the bios loads but the computer hangs and wont load, when i put 4 sticks in it wont post at all. All the ram is the same make and kind kingston, and it doesnt matter which sticks of ram i use it will always work with 2 sticks and freezes with 3 in and wont boot with 4 so for this reason i know the ram isnt broken.


http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/prod...2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=66708
Thats my motherboard.

Any ideas
Thanks:) :) :) :)
 
Is there any program that will tell you what type of motherboard you have? Maybe I can learn more information if I can just find what type I have.
 
well for one you can narrow it down by looking at it...Intel or AMD...manufacturer...socket type...number of pci slots...20 or 24 pin power connector configuration...unless you can find numbers on the motherboard. there is a website that lists motherboards, i forgot what it was. anybody remember?

statue...are you saying it doesnt work after 1gb? (2x512)...or 2gb?
 
Tekster said:
Is there any program that will tell you what type of motherboard you have? Maybe I can learn more information if I can just find what type I have.

download everest and it tells you what motherboard you have. The program is no longer on their website but its on all other download spots. Also, to check if the DIMM slot is broken, put one stick of ram in there and try to boot and see what happens.
 
StrangleHold said:
If the locks arent snapped over the ram is not in the slot all the way

exactly. ive never heard of the locks breaking. the only reason at all as to why they would be loose would be because the RAM is not in. dont be afraid...use some force! just dont go punching the mobo
 
Hmm, maybe I didn't use enough force. Contrary to what I've been told, I guess motherboards aren't all that delicate. I'm always so afraid of breaking something and messing my entire computer up.

Thanks guys for the help, I really do appreciate it.
 
Tekster said:
Contrary to what I've been told, I guess motherboards aren't all that delicate.

just as long as you have enough standoffs, you really cant break the mobo by pushing on it. if you only have like, 4 (one in each corner) chances are something will crack. so the more the better.
 
And remember the RAM is keyed and will only go in one way. Make sure it's lined up correctly before pushing too hard on it.
 
Back
Top