New Ram XP won't boot help!

[jacman747]

okay, heres the deal I currently have two 256mb sticks of DDR PC2100 ram
I just bought 1GB of DDR PC400 RAM and when I put it in, no matter how I arrange the RAM in the different slots it won't boot, it goes through the memory test, detects the extra ram, says it's ok, then just freezes right there.

PS. I know the ram is good cause it works when I try it in another computer.

 

[StrangleHold]

It would help to know what motherboard you have. You went from DDR 266 to DDR 400. It could be a downclocking issue or a Voltage/Timming issue.

 

[jacman747]

I have an Asus A7N8X-E motherboard

 

[jacman747]

Pleeeaaase could someone help me? this is driving me nuts I can't find anything on the internet about it and I have no idea what to try

 

[StrangleHold]

That board supports up to DDR 400 but depends on what processor your running. What processor are you running? If you got a 266 FSB Athlon try going into your bios and setting the memory to 133/266 manually instead of it being on auto. Then put the new memory back in and see if it boots.

 

[jacman747]

OK, I have an AMD athlon 1466 mhz processor and the pheonix awardBios.
and my options were to set the memory frequency automatically, or by SPD (whatever that means) or I can choose the percentage of the ram frequency (20%-200%) let me know if you need anyore info and thanks.

 

[StrangleHold]

Try setting it to SPD.

 

[ronster667]

did you take out the old ram
those two rams wont mix
you have to have the same kind

another thing could be the ram voltage is to high for your motherboard

example
the ram you bought is at 2.1 v
your motherbored can only handle 1.8 v
so you might have to raise the voltage in your bios

 

[jacman747]

thanks guys, i'll try that

 

[jacman747]

ok, I tried removing the old ram and putting the new in by itself in all different slots and I played around with the frequency (set to SPD, tried different percentages) that didn't work. also my voltage settings are from 2.6-2.8 volts I tried raising it and that didn't work. maybe something in the memory timing? (I don't know very much about timing stuff.) thanks

 

[StrangleHold]

Sounds like the memory doesnt what to be compatible with the board. The board has a 3gb limit so a 1gb stick should be read. What brand and model of memory is it? Sounds like you have a Athlon XP 1700 with a FSB of 266. You say you cant find anywhere to manually set the memory to 133/266?

 

[Dystopia]

maybe you have too much ram??

 

[jacman747]

I just succesfuly updated my BIOS to the latest version and it says this version fixes a bug for DDR 400 support. but it STILL doesn't boot with the ram in. and it does support 1Gb modules. and yes that is the processor I have but I wasn't entirely sure what you meant by 133/266 sorry.

 

[jacman747]

OK, I think I know what you mean, set the external cpu frequency from 133 to 266 Mhz right?

 

[jacman747]

umm..... hello??? (echoes eerily)

 

[StrangleHold]

The processor FSB is 133/266. The memory need to be set to 133/266 too, to run 1:1 with the FSB. Just set the memory to 133/266 then manually set the memory voltage to the default of the new memory. If it doesnt boot the memory is probably incompatible with the board.

 

[jacman747]

well, I searched and searched and there is absolutely no option to set what speed the memory runs at it's only auto or SPD the ONLY thing I can set the frequency on is the cpu external frequency there are very few memory options except for the timing. any way do you think it would be reasonable to tak the memory in to the local computer shop and ask if he could give me a deal on some new memory? btw. it isn't like a store it's just a local guys shop.