Total Noob Question - Computer only Reading One RAM Slot at a time

[aas911]

Hello,

I decided to upgrade my RAM and purchased a new stick on newegg. However, when installed on my computer with my old stick of RAM, my computer would not read it. I tried installing the ram by itself and my computer read it fine. I tried both slots individually and they both work, just not together. As far as I know both RAM sticks are 1Gb DDR2 533MHz. I am thinking it is a problem with the settings on the motherboard or compatibility issues with the ram.

My motherboard is: ECS (Elitegroup) RC410L/800-M
My old RAM is: HYS64T128020HU-37-A (I have no idea who the manufacturer is)
My new RAM is: Kingston KVR533D2/1GR (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-151-_-Product)

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[uddarts]

at least it posts.

with both sticks, enter the bios, load default settings, save and exit.

then try loading optimal settings.

see if either helps.


ud

[aas911]

Still no luck.

I looked through all the settings and the only thing I saw with memory in the title was "Shared Memory Size" and it was set at the default 64Mb.

[uddarts]

i'm at a loss too. i think we'll rate this well above a noob question.

what does cpuz show? look in both the mem and spd tab(there is a button to view memory in both slots).

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php


ud

[aas911]

It shows that both are working. However windows still shows only 1.0 Gb on system settings. Is it possible that this is an error with windows?

[uddarts]

i believe so. i can't remember what causes the error though.



ud

[Windrunner]

Make sure to run windows update in custom mode (if you're on XP) to get applicable hardware updates. ( That's my best guess )

[Bman10]

I always tell people you should never use a old stick and a new stick together. You should always buy the full amount of ram your wanting for the system. I havnt seen alot of systems that dont have confliction issues useing old stock ram and new ram. Sorry but I would have to say it would be best to buy another stick of the same ram you just bought and go with that.

[benefit14snake]

I always tell people you should never use a old stick and a new stick together. You should always buy the full amount of ram your wanting for the system. I havnt seen alot of systems that dont have confliction issues useing old stock ram and new ram. Sorry but I would have to say it would be best to buy another stick of the same ram you just bought and go with that.

I agree with this, as sometimes the old ram may run at a higher voltage than the new stuff, or maybe have faster timings. Is the old ram in the first slot? Usualy helps because I believe it will default to the old rams timings..

EDIT: as far as the old ram goes.. throw it in the computer by itself and run CPU-Z and look under memory tab, should tell you what you need to know.

[Windrunner]

I thought all memory had to run at JEDEC specifications. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR3#JE...andard_modules I.E. those

[aas911]

CPU-Z is reading both individually at 4-4-4-12 and 1.8V


I guess one good thing from all of this is that I've learned a lot about RAM. However, I think I'm going to give up. I've been thinking about upgrading to a new computer with a faster processor and this may be a good time! Thanks guys/gals!