+- Drunkard's Walk Forums (http://www.accessdenied-rms.net/forums)
+-- Forum: General (http://www.accessdenied-rms.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: General Chatter (http://www.accessdenied-rms.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?fid=2)
+--- Thread: Computer memory query (/showthread.php?tid=9841)
Computer memory query - Shepherd - 06-29-2009
I've got a question for the more technically minded board members. Since my computer (a relatively old eMachines T1115) has been getting a bit slow recently, I decided to upgrade it slightly rather than shell out a few hundred dollars for a new system.
The last time I upgraded, I added 256 MB of memory to the 128 MB that came with the computer, so I figured that I'd just pop out the original 128 MB and replace it with another 256 MB unit (since my system only has 2 memory slots and can apparently only handle 512 MB of total memory).
Checking online, one of the sites with a compatability checker indicated that I should insert memory of the following type: 256MB PC133 133MHz SDRAM DIMM 168pin.
Checking eBay, I found sellers offering memory that matched these keywords for under $8 with free shipping. I chose an American seller who'd made thousands of eBay sales over the last few years rather than one of the slightly cheaper sellers who registered out of China a few months ago. The eBay page contained the following info:
SPECIFICATION :
168PIN Memory
133Mhz
3.3 Volt Module
DIMM (DUAL IN-LINE MEMORY 32 X 4)
Non-ECC, Non-Parity
Unbuffered
High quality
Brand new.
It is well tested.
256 MB
PC133 Compliant
168-pin high density memory
Non ECC
Unbuffered
Gold leads
Operating voltage: 3.3V
Warranty: Defective merchandise (Dead On Arrival ~ DOA) can be returned for "replacement only" within 10 days of purchase. If a replacement item is not available than a refund of the purchase price of the product. Buyer must contact us to obtain an RMA number prior to returning the merchandise. Buyer is responsible for returning the item in it's exact original condition, including all packaging, accessories and manuals. Units that are found to be free of defects or missing components will be returned to the buyer at the buyers expense.
After getting the memory on Saturday, I popped open my case and swapped the new 256 MB unit for the 128 MB unit. After turning my system back on, my computer only registered 256 MB of memory instead of the desired 512 MB. I swapped positions between the 256 MB units without effect; the system still registered only 256 MB. Removing the older 256 MB unit, the system failed to start at all (and beeped several times once the power was turned on). Moving the new 256 MB unit from one memory slot to the other also lead to a failure to start and some beeping. Removing the new unit and replacing it with the original 128 MB and 256 MB units returned the system to the previous 384 MB of memory.
My question is, in your opinion, is the new memory DOA (as indicated by the warranty), or have I purchased memory that is incompatible with my system (if it helps, the unit has a sticker on it that reads 256M PC 133 and the black rectangles all read SAMSUNG 0[37, 40, 46, or 52] K4S280432A-TC75)? While I'd hate to waste almost $8, I'd be more annoyed if I sent the thing back and they returned it to me because it is working but simply doesn't work with my system, thereby forcing me to waste more money on an incompatible part.
----------------------------------------------------
"Anyone can be a winner if their definition of victory is flexible enough." - The DM of the Rings XXXV
- Bluemage - 06-29-2009
You might be able to figure out what's wrong by listening to the beep code.
You know how most computers beep once when they start up? When there's something that prevents a motherboard from POSTing (getting to where it can load
the OS), it'll do what you said: start up, beep several times, and go no further. The pattern of long and short beeps, if you can get the motherboard
manual, should tell you something about the problem.
Even if it's no more specific than "Memory Error", it should make returning the RAM easier if you can say that you put it in your computer, and
your motherboard told you that the memory wouldn't work. Also, most memory incompatibilities I'm familiar with cause failure later on (not when the
RAM is installed, but down the road). Some just prevent certain memory settings/combinations from working. Given the lack of response your RAM is giving, I
think it's a broken RAM stick.
My Unitarian Jihad Name is: Brother Atom Bomb of Courteous Debate. Get yours.
I've been writing a bit.
- Wiregeek - 06-29-2009
sounds like a dead stick, I would personally suggest
http://www.newegg.com/Pro...spx?Item=N82E16820146302
times 2, to ensure that there is no difference between the sticks. Machines from that era can show 'weirdness' when you have different brands of memory
in the different slots.
best of luck!
"No can brain today. Want cheezeburger."
From NGE: Nobody Dies, by Gregg Landsman
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5579457/1/NGE_Nobody_Dies
- firvulag - 06-29-2009
It certainly sounds like a memory issue, either incompatible RAM or a bad stick. If you can't get anything from the beep codes, or if it just tells you
something like "No memory found" try downloading and running a program called memtest. It should give you a few more details than the beep codes at
least.
You'll need to create bootable media (either a CD or diskette depending). You can get it from http://www.memtest.org/
--
Hell - n. The current residence of Mr. Noah Webster, Lexicographer.
(Ambrose Bierce, _The Devil's Dictionary_)
- CattyNebulart - 06-29-2009
Sounds like a dead stick, but other things could also be the cause. Since the system doesn't boot with just the new memory most of them can be eliminated.
If your bios allows it use both memory modules and lower the memory speed speed from 133 to 100 and see if that fixes the problem. It's a long shot and if
it does work you should probably still return the memory as damaged, even though it isn't dead.
E: "Did they... did they just endorse the combination of the JSDF and US Army by showing them as two lesbian lolicons moving in together and holding hands and talking about how 'intimate' they were?"
B: "Have you forgotten so soon? They're phasing out Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
- Shepherd - 06-29-2009
Quote: Wiredgeek wrote:Looking at the linked page, the three most recent reviews of the product (right side of the page) give it one star out of five (39% of total
sounds like a dead stick, I would personally suggest
http://www.newegg.com/Pro...spx?Item=N82E16820146302
reviews for the product also gave it 1 star) and complain that the memory was incompatible with their systems (and one of the systems was an eMachine of the T
series, just like mine). This does not fill me with confidence
----------------------------------------------------
"Anyone can be a winner if their definition of victory is flexible enough." - The DM of the Rings XXXV
- Shepherd - 06-29-2009
Quote: Firvulag wrote:Would that be the pre-compiled bootable ISO link, the pre-compiled bootable binary link, or the precompiled package for floppy link?
You'll need to create bootable media (either a CD or diskette depending). You can get it from http://www.memtest.org/
Of couse, I'm not certain if my disk drive even works anymore, and my CD drive is so old that it can't write, so I may not be able to use them anyway.
I do have one of those 1 GB sticks for my USB port. Would the pre-compiled EXE file for USB key link work?
----------------------------------------------------
"Anyone can be a winner if their definition of victory is flexible enough." - The DM of the Rings XXXV
- Bluemage - 06-29-2009
Your BIOS has to be compatible with booting from a USB stick, but if it is, then that would be a good option.
My Unitarian Jihad Name is: Brother Atom Bomb of Courteous Debate. Get yours.
I've been writing a bit.
- firvulag - 06-29-2009
If your BIOS bootable device list includes, or allows you to select, a USB device as the boot media then the USB key should be fine. Otherwise go with either
a CD (the ISO file option, download the .zip one if you're running Windows) or as a last resort, a floppy. That's assuming you've still got a
floppy drive.
Everyone else is probably right, it's most likely that you've got a bad stick. I'd only really worry about Memtest if you expect to get into an
argument with the vendor over whether or not it's broken.
--
Cheese will not solve *all* the world's problems...
-- Matt Martin