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RAM PROBLEM?
Carol Haynes:
If you are having problems with the original stick of memory on its own it sounds like the problem was elsewhere to start with.
Either that or you damaged a memory slot inserting/removing memory sticks - but if it works at all that seems unlikely.
Did you jog anything else accidentally when you were fiddling - you can easily get another expansion card to have an intermittent connection when you are fiddling or pull a cable slightly loose so that its contacts aren't 100%.
I'd check out everything that plugs together in your system that you may have inadvertently even touched - take cards out and put them in again to ensure they are properly seated, disconnect all plugs and cables one at a time and make sure they are seated correctly and securely when you put them back.
Get it working again with your original 512Mb RAM before you add the new RAM - and personally I would suggest putting the 1Gb stick in place of the 512Mb before you try and run them together. You might want to also reset the BIOS to safe defaults before doing that in case the BIOS has got confused by two sticks of RAM with different specs. If there is a BIOS option to clear NVRAM use it after changing the memory config so NVRAM starts with a clean known state.
I used to use MSI mobos but I had endless problems with 'mix'n'match' memory slots - they aren't as mix and match as you might think.
bobparham:
OK. I have downloaded Memtest 86, unzipped it and prepared a floppy disk. (Hopefully). I presume that I now insert the floppy into the floppy drive, shut down the computer and turn it back on and let it boot from the floppy. Is that correct? Once it boots up is there anything I need to do as far as typing commands? A little hand holding here would be real helpful and do a lot for my comfort zone since I will be in unchartered territory for me.
Bob
Carol Haynes:
Nope that's it just insert the disc and restart your system - the test starts and runs automatically.
bobparham:
Well, I have tested these sticks of RAM and this is what happened.
First, I tested both sticks in the two slots. After 18:33 the test locked up while on Test 5. Tests 1 thru 4 did not show errors.
Next, I removed the 512 mb stick from the inboard slot leaving the 1 gb stick in the outboard slot. I ran the test and it showed no errors.
Next, I removed the 1 gb stick and inserted the 512 mb stick in the inboard slot. I ran the test and it showed no errors.
Next, I inserted the 1 gb stick in the outboard. I again ran the test with both sticks installed and again, the test stalled in exactly 18:33 as it did the first time I tested both. Again it was while running test 5 and tests 1 thru 4 showed no errors.
Now, can someone interpret the test results? Does this indicate that the two are incompatible with each other? Does this simply mean that, in spite of what the mobo manufacurer says, the board will not accept two sticks of RAM of different capacity? Both slots were tested during the sequence of tests so it appears that there is no problem with either slot. What should my next step be????
BTW, let me take this opportunity to thank the members of the forum who have been so responsive to my problem. :)
Carol Haynes:
As I said when we exchanged emails I have never had a good experience of mixing memory sticks of different capacities or different manufacturers. The fact the Memtest seizes is unusual (you usually get a list of errors in red if there is a problem) but does suggest that there is something not right about the combination of sticks you have.
Your best bet for the moment is to put the 1Gb stick in slot one and remove the 512Mb stick altogether. If you can buy another identical 1Gb stick (same manufacturer, preferably the same batch too) you may be able to update to 2Gb of RAM but you will probably find 1Gb more than enough unless you are using memory hog applications like PhotoShop.
The trouble is that even if you buy more than one stick from the same manufacturer they use chips from different sources as prices fluctuate. The only way to guarantee a multiple memory stick config is to either buy them as a matched pair or buy from a manfacturer that guantees the memory will work on your system - at least then you can send it back if it doesn't work.
www.crucial.com has a memory identifier tool which pinpoints the correct model for your system (and they are good value reliable memory that comes with a worthwhile warranty). If you use their memory chooser they guarantee the memory will work - if it doesn't you'll get a full refund.
Other reliable makes are Crucial, OCZ and Samsung (to name a few).
I had an MSI board a while ago that never liked two sticks of memory installed at the same time (even when I bought matched memory). Some mobos are strange!
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