About a week ago, I started up my computer and it complained of a memory size error. It ran through the check and found 128MB. This is half of what is actually in the computer. Windows started up, with 128MB it said. So I shut it down and started it up again. It complained of a memory size error again, ran through its check, and found the correct 256MB, so I didn't think anything else of it. Just now, when I started my computer up, it complained of a memory size error again, only finding 128MB. I restarted, but this time there was no memory size error. So now I only have 128MB of RAM. Does this mean my other 128 stick is fried? I don't have the money to be able to replace it, which makes me rather unhappy. Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
So you have two 128mb DIMMS, right? First of all, have you opened up the case to see if one of them looks physically wrong in some way?
If not, take one of them out, turn on the computer and see if it says that you have 128. If it does, take that DIMM out and put the other one in. See what that says. If the computer doesn't work one of those times, you've found out which DIMM doesn't work, well done.
Now, I am not an expert, but my diagnosis would be...it's fried, chuck it. Are you serious when you say you haven't got the money to replace it? You can get a 128mb DDR Dimm for �17.50 from Dabs. That's hardly breaking the bank.
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
I'm betting it is SDRAM. 128 MB DDRs are rare as the Dodo bird.
Get thee a new motherboard and RAM. Or if you want, I can sell you a board that I happened to get my hands on.
Posted by Grokca (Member # 722) on :
I would also recommend that you take and eraser to the pins on the ram, just give them a light scrubbing, sometimes the pins oxidise and you don't get good connections, an eraser will take this oxidation off. I recommend that you ground yourself to the cabinate before removing the RAM and doing this, you should always ground yourself before removing components from your computer.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
quote:Originally posted by Saltah'na: Get thee a new motherboard and RAM. Or if you want, I can sell you a board that I happened to get my hands on.
One of his 128mb DIMMS isn't working, and you are suggesting that he get a new motherboard? Isn't that a touch overkill? Especially since he's said he can't even afford the RAM.
Posted by Topher (Member # 71) on :
You see, I'm a poor uni student. I have to make payments on tuition every month, and car insurance payments every month. Plus, I have to pay for gas to put in the vehicles. And, Christmas is fast approaching, so I don't exactly have spare change for myself right now. As a stopgap measure, once I figure out if one of the sticks is fired for sure, I can grab the 64MB stick that was in the computer when I got it and put it back in, giving me 192 MB. It seems as though 256 is as high as I can go with this computer, as its too old for single-sided 256 chips. If I could track down two double-sided 256 chips, I could go for 512, maybe. Also, this computer is a Compaq, so if I bought a new motherboard, I'd need a new case to put it in. Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
quote: vehicles
Posted by Austin Powers (Member # 250) on :
That's what made me wondering too. More than one?
Posted by Topher (Member # 71) on :
I live at home with my parents. They each have their own vehicle. Depending on who's where doing what when I need to get somewhere, I will drive a different vehicle.
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
So if you only drive your parents' cars, why do you have to fork their insurance bills?
Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
This is the good thing about working in IT, you get to nick stuff. I just found 3 256Mb 133MHz SDRAMs in my desk. If I bunged those in my current PC that'd be double what I've got now. Must try that sometime.
I might even have a spare 128 you can have, Chris. From a Compaq, no less. 8)
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
quote:Originally posted by Topher: Also, this computer is a Compaq, so if I bought a new motherboard, I'd need a new case to put it in.
Why? Do Compaqs not follow the ATX standard, or something?
Posted by Topher (Member # 71) on :
Responses, in order:
Cartman: Yes, I only drive my parents cars. I'm a casual driver on both, and the insurance bill is a bit steep due to and accident I had. So, I make payments on the bill in reparation.
Lee: Actually, I don't need the RAM anymore as strangely my computer recognized the second stick again.
Liam: Well, The case is smaller than usual, and I don't think a regular motherboard would fit inside very well. Also, the video card is integrated into it.
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
"Do Compaqs not follow the ATX standard, or something?"
Compaqs follow the Compaq standard.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
quote:Originally posted by Topher: Liam: Well, The case is smaller than usual, and I don't think a regular motherboard would fit inside very well. Also, the video card is integrated into it.
Then get a Micro-ATX board.
And the fact that your current one has integrated graphics would have no bearing on whether a new motherboard would fit in your case. Of course, you'd either need to get a new board with intergrated graphics or buy a graphics card, but I don't see why it wouldn't fit.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 24) on :
I wouldn't count on the case to comply with either the micro-ATX or ATX standards. We had a number of Compaq machines at work. They had a really goofy setup with riser boards and special RAM (i.e. same performance, different shape, more expensive). Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if they used a different power supply connector.
Posted by Balaam Xumucane (Member # 419) on :
A few years back we had similar issues with some Compaqs my boss got on the cheap. (He didn't listen to me)
Some of the third party MBs you'll get come with a backplate for your case which is handy if, say, it's got 4 USB ports or something. I've been having a lot of luck getting really inexpensive (~US$100) bundles with ECS K7APro MBs with 2GHz+ Athlon XPs out here. They'd let you use your old DIMMs before you were able to score some DDR (no mixing, alas). You'd still need a graphics card, of course. But yeah, Compaq makes any MB upgrade iffy at best. Hrmmmph. On the plus side, you'd be able to salvage your drives and then you could rice out your machine to the M4xXor!$!! Or not.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Maplin's over here do a similar bundle. A MB that has both two old-style DIMM slots and two new DDR slots, combined with a (I think) 2200+ Athalon for �120. I might get it, when I get some money together.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)