I just installed a 2GB DDR2-673 CL5  [A-Data brand ]RAM onto my computer and have encountered the following problem that I would like you guys to advise:

the Windows XP that I use can't restart smoothly after adding it.

It automatically check the hard disk everytime and then goes to the Administrator menu asking for password.  At that screen, the keyboard that can be used at CMOS area is not working(no reponse when I hit any key and so the password can't be entered! )  I have used another keyboard and even not working too.

Can anyone HELP me on explaining what is the cause to that.

Thanks a million!!s

[ 本帖最後由 G4teamate 於 2009-2-2 12:31 編輯 ]

1，抽走條新RAM，用舊RAM再Boot機看有沒有相同問題
2，是否新舊RAM一起用，WinXP32 只支援至2GB，再多都冇用
3，HDD Scandisk，可能係新裝的東西或 HDD有問題
4，入BIOS設定RAM的數值
Good Luck

引用:

原帖由 紙飛機 於 2009-2-2 22:02 發表
1，抽走條新RAM，用舊RAM再Boot機看有沒有相同問題
2，是否新舊RAM一起用，WinXP32 只支援至2GB，再多都冇用
3，HDD Scandisk，可能係新裝的東西或 HDD有問題
4，入BIOS設定RAM的數值
Good Luck

紙飛機 Expert,

Thanks for your kind advice on this.

How come the Windows keep asking me to enter the password at the Administrator's screen once the hard disk is scanned completely?

Point 2 saying that the maximum is 2GB, but it only gives me 1 GB inidcated by the system check mode under control panel.

Point 3, please advise how to change the RAM figures?? at which mode shall I get to?

Await your further advice

Cheers,

You install ONE DDR2 RAM ???
Nearly all motherboard will need to install DDR2 in PAIRS, i.e. 2x

Check if your old DDR2 are in PAIR also, ie 2x

Normally it is NOT advisable to mix different brands of DDR2 together in the same pair

引用:

原帖由 BenChek 於 2009-2-3 16:26 發表
You install ONE DDR2 RAM ???
Nearly all motherboard will need to install DDR2 in PAIRS, i.e. 2x

Check if your old DDR2 are in PAIR also, ie 2x

Normally it is NOT advisable to mix different bran ...

Oh!!

Yes, there are different brands Umax and A-data of 512KB and 2GB in pairs.

I was trying to save cost and never thought of that at all!!

So, what shall I do now?  How come different brands can't be PUT together?

Can't they communicate/cope  with each other?

Mixing different brands of RAM is pure luck
First their latency must be exectly the same, ie CL5-4-4-12
Secondly their chipset should be the same, ie 4x or 8x units, since this impact the data access

I would recommend you to use same brand and model for the pair.

BTW, Windows XP or Vista normally can identified just under 4G (ie 3.XG) of RAM as a 32-bit operating system.

Thanks again for the expert advice.

So, are you suggesting me to replace the 512K RAM by another 1GB of the same brand to make the consistency?  It will then maximize to 3GB afterward as the XP can recognize, right?

Await your further advice on this.  

As far as I understand you have 4 options:

1.  1-pair (exact model) of 512M, plus 1-pair (exact model) of 1G RAM.  This wil give you 3G of usable memory.
2.  1-pair exact model of 1G RAM, plus another 1-pair of another exact model of 1G RAM.  This will give you around 3.5G of usable memory (due to 32-bit OS limitation)
3.  2-pairs (i.e. 4x) of exact model 1G RAM. You will also have around 3.5G of usale memory.
4. 1-pair of exact model 2G RAM.  This will also give you 3.5G of usable memory.

Of course you can choose not to do anything to save money.  My recommendation is that if your original motherboard already has 2G of RAM, it will not be worth to add anymore since you won't find any major improvement.  2G should be well enough for most application.

引用:

原帖由 BenChek 於 2009-2-5 14:24 發表
As far as I understand you have 4 options:

1.  1-pair (exact model) of 512M, plus 1-pair (exact model) of 1G RAM.  This wil give you 3G of usable memory.
2.  1-pair exact model of 1G RAM, plus ano ...

Ben,

I must thank you for the time on explaining   so clearly about those OPTIONS !  I shall buy you a drink y the money that I save for NOT changing the status of RAM.   

Attached please find the current reading of the RAM on my PC, how come it is only up to 1.43 GB with  1-pair (exact model) of 512M, plus 1-pair (exact model) of 1G RAM???

Cheers,
G4teamate

[ 本帖最後由 G4teamate 於 2009-2-6 00:55 編輯 ]

What is your motherboard ?
One of the common mistake is the order to lot-in those RAM chips.
You must have the motherboard manual to be absolutely certain.
e.g. normally if the 512M is type-A and 1G is type-B, then it is a common design that the chips will need to be arranged as ABAB or BABA.  Do check the manual.

引用:

原帖由 BenChek 於 2009-2-6 21:43 發表
What is your motherboard ?
One of the common mistake is the order to lot-in those RAM chips.
You must have the motherboard manual to be absolutely certain.
e.g. normally if the 512M is type-A and 1 ...

The motherboard is  Magic-Pro  MP-P6VMA-II

Are you sure ?
This motherboard only allows 2x RAM chips, not 4x

引用:

原帖由 BenChek 於 2009-2-8 14:10 發表
Are you sure ?
This motherboard only allows 2x RAM chips, not 4x

Well, I only see 2 x Yellow Color Slots and I think they are for RAM , right?

Attached is the picture of the motherboard, please view and check for me. What are the BLUE slots for??

[ 本帖最後由 G4teamate 於 2009-2-8 23:36 編輯 ]

Your motherboard only allows ONE-pair of RAM
ONE-pair means 2 slots, not one

If you have one 1G and one 512M, you get 1.4xG is normal since the system takes away a little memory space for internal use.

So I suggest you to buy one more 1G RAM, together with the existing 1G to make a 2G computer which should be sufficient for most Windows applications.  Remember taking the existing 1G RAM to the shop and ask the shop to sell you a MATCHING 1G RAM.

The other option is to buy 2 new 2G RAM, but a total of 3.XG won't give you a lot of performance gain unless you use applications like Photoshop or AutoCAD.  So save your money.

Dear Ben,

Thanks for your time again on reviewing my case and motherboard.

What I have got currently is

1 x 2G  A-Data
1 x 1G  Kingston
Both 673 and CL5  

That's the salesperson advised me to do when I had the 2G on and wanted to replace the 512K one.

Attached pleasae find a picture captured illustrating the RAM my PC got now.  Pls comment.

Thanks a Lot

[ 本帖最後由 G4teamate 於 2009-2-10 02:16 編輯 ]

You are still using Celeron.
You will see the different if you upgrade it to P4 even with similar speed.

Good luck.

Wh

引用:

原帖由 BenChek 於 2009-2-9 21:37 發表
You are still using Celeron.
You will see the different if you upgrade it to P4 even with similar speed.

Good luck.

What do you mean by upgrading it to Pentium 4 ?  What speed would it be and how much does that cost roughly?