SDRAM memory problem

I built this computer several years ago, using an ASUS P2B-S
mainboard, an Intel Pentium III 501 MHz CPU and two Viking128 MB
SDRAM memory modules for a total of 256 MB of RAM. This computer
has worked very well over the years. I am now running Windows XP
Pro with Service Pack 2.

Recently I tried to add two more SDRAM memory modules and bring
the total up to 512 MB of RAM. I bought the two new modules from
Memory4Less and the specs indicate that these modules are ECC
compliant, 168 pin 3.3 V SDRAM modules. I can not find a specific
brand name on the modules or on the order form, but there is a
ManuNumver AA18C16R72-PC100 entry on the order form.

I installed these new modules into slots 3 & 4 and booted the
computer. It came alive in a normal fashion, but the System
Properties dialog box shows only 256 MB of RAM, not the
anticipated 512 MB.

I have searched through the BIOS Chipset Features Setup but have
found no changes that seem appropriate or necessary to get this
new memory to be recognized.

I tried removing the original memory and placing these new memory
modules in slots 1 & 2 where the original memory modules have
been. The computer starts, recognized the memory modules, and
operates normally, but, as would be expected, shows only 256 MB
of RAM.

Next I tried placing the old memory modules in slots 3 & 4,
leaving the new modules in slots 1 & 2, but when I booted the
computer I was back to square one, again. That is the System
Properties dialog box shows only 256 MB of RAM.

What am I overlooking? How do I get this system to recognize the
memory modules in slots 3 & 4? Is there a mainboard jumper
setting that I need to change?

Thanks for any insights. Gordon

On Wed, 29 Nov 2006 20:01:56 GMT, Gordon <> wrote:

>I built this computer several years ago, using an ASUS P2B-S
>mainboard, an Intel Pentium III 501 MHz CPU and two Viking128 MB
>SDRAM memory modules for a total of 256 MB of RAM. This computer
>has worked very well over the years. I am now running Windows XP
>Pro with Service Pack 2.
>
>Recently I tried to add two more SDRAM memory modules and bring
>the total up to 512 MB of RAM. I bought the two new modules from
>Memory4Less and the specs indicate that these modules are ECC
>compliant, 168 pin 3.3 V SDRAM modules. I can not find a specific
>brand name on the modules or on the order form, but there is a
>ManuNumver AA18C16R72-PC100 entry on the order form.
>
>I installed these new modules into slots 3 & 4 and booted the
>computer. It came alive in a normal fashion, but the System
>Properties dialog box shows only 256 MB of RAM, not the
>anticipated 512 MB.
>
>I have searched through the BIOS Chipset Features Setup but have
>found no changes that seem appropriate or necessary to get this
>new memory to be recognized.
>
>I tried removing the original memory and placing these new memory
>modules in slots 1 & 2 where the original memory modules have
>been. The computer starts, recognized the memory modules, and
>operates normally, but, as would be expected, shows only 256 MB
>of RAM.
>
>Next I tried placing the old memory modules in slots 3 & 4,
>leaving the new modules in slots 1 & 2, but when I booted the
>computer I was back to square one, again. That is the System
>Properties dialog box shows only 256 MB of RAM.
>
>What am I overlooking? How do I get this system to recognize the
>memory modules in slots 3 & 4? Is there a mainboard jumper
>setting that I need to change?
>
>Thanks for any insights. Gordon

You bought the wrong type of dimms for that vintage board...

www.crucial.com

Gordon wrote:
> I built this computer several years ago, using an ASUS P2B-S
> mainboard, an Intel Pentium III 501 MHz CPU and two Viking128 MB
> SDRAM memory modules for a total of 256 MB of RAM. This computer
> has worked very well over the years. I am now running Windows XP
> Pro with Service Pack 2.

http://homepage.hispeed.ch/rscheidegger/ram_bx_faq.html

Since using 2 of those new modules alone gives 256MB, they are probably
correct modules.
What happens if you use 3 modules at a a time? Does it give 192 or 384?
I don't think this is the usual "shows 1/2 of memory"-problem, since 2 new
modules alone gives the correct amount.
I hope Roland is around to explain this problem.

On Wed, 29 Nov 2006 22:54:48 +0100, "Egil Solberg"
<> wrote:

>Gordon wrote:
>> I built this computer several years ago, using an ASUS P2B-S
>> mainboard, an Intel Pentium III 501 MHz CPU and two Viking128 MB
>> SDRAM memory modules for a total of 256 MB of RAM. This computer
>> has worked very well over the years. I am now running Windows XP
>> Pro with Service Pack 2.
>
>http://homepage.hispeed.ch/rscheidegger/ram_bx_faq.html
>
>Since using 2 of those new modules alone gives 256MB, they are probably
>correct modules.
>What happens if you use 3 modules at a a time? Does it give 192 or 384?
>I don't think this is the usual "shows 1/2 of memory"-problem, since 2 new
>modules alone gives the correct amount.
>I hope Roland is around to explain this problem.
>
Egil, thanks for the suggestion. I've not tried using 3 modules
at a time. I'll play around with this and see what happens. I
also will put one each of the old and new modules into slots 1 &
2 to see if they will work together. Gordon

Gordon wrote:

> Egil, thanks for the suggestion. I've not tried using 3 modules
> at a time. I'll play around with this and see what happens. I
> also will put one each of the old and new modules into slots 1 &
> 2 to see if they will work together. Gordon

I suppose you use latest BIOS as well? Or is it very old? This could be a
BIOS bug.
ftp://ftp.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/slot1...2b-s/index.txt

Latest is 1014 (beta)

On Wed, 29 Nov 2006 23:18:38 +0100, "Egil Solberg"
<> wrote:

>Gordon wrote:
>
>> Egil, thanks for the suggestion. I've not tried using 3 modules
>> at a time. I'll play around with this and see what happens. I
>> also will put one each of the old and new modules into slots 1 &
>> 2 to see if they will work together. Gordon
>
>I suppose you use latest BIOS as well? Or is it very old? This could be a
>BIOS bug.
>ftp://ftp.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/slot1...2b-s/index.txt
>
>Latest is 1014 (beta)
>
No, I've not updated the BIOS since building this computer, about
7 years ago. This may be at least part of the problem.

I just checked several setups with the memory modules. It seems
there is a problem with the old, mixed with the new memory in
slots 1 and 2. When I did this I got a beeping sound from the
computer, and if it would boot at all, it showed only 128 MB of
RAM.

Also, when I put both new modules in slots 1 & 2, then put one of
the old modules in slot 3 it showed only 128 MB of RAM. It didn't
make a beeping sound, and seemed to run okay, although very slow.

So, there does seem to be some level of incompatibility between
the old Viking modules and the new Memory4Less modules.

I'm about ready to throw this old mainboard in the trash and
start fresh, from the ground up. This computer is my primary home
network computer, and doesn't have to do anything spectacular,
like gaming, but should be reliable and stable.

Any suggestions for a replacement mainboard. This computer is set
up in a PC Power and Cooling tall tower case with lots of
provisions for other stuff. I don't want to toss the box in the
trash. It is built like a Sherman tank, and is very quiet. I have
it stuffed with hard drives, CD recorders, ZIP and SuperDisk
drives.

Gordon

Gordon wrote:
> I built this computer several years ago, using an ASUS P2B-S
> mainboard, an Intel Pentium III 501 MHz CPU and two Viking128 MB
> SDRAM memory modules for a total of 256 MB of RAM. This computer
> has worked very well over the years. I am now running Windows XP
> Pro with Service Pack 2.
>
> Recently I tried to add two more SDRAM memory modules and bring
> the total up to 512 MB of RAM. I bought the two new modules from
> Memory4Less and the specs indicate that these modules are ECC
> compliant, 168 pin 3.3 V SDRAM modules. I can not find a specific
> brand name on the modules or on the order form, but there is a
> ManuNumver AA18C16R72-PC100 entry on the order form.
>

Are your old memory modules ECC or non-ECC? I have that motherboard and
I know that I never used ECC memory in it. I think if you try to mix
the two types of memory together you will run into problems. I had no
problems updating my board to use 4 memory modules and getting 512 MB of
memory to work.

> I installed these new modules into slots 3 & 4 and booted the
> computer. It came alive in a normal fashion, but the System
> Properties dialog box shows only 256 MB of RAM, not the
> anticipated 512 MB.
>
> I have searched through the BIOS Chipset Features Setup but have
> found no changes that seem appropriate or necessary to get this
> new memory to be recognized.
>
> I tried removing the original memory and placing these new memory
> modules in slots 1 & 2 where the original memory modules have
> been. The computer starts, recognized the memory modules, and
> operates normally, but, as would be expected, shows only 256 MB
> of RAM.
>
> Next I tried placing the old memory modules in slots 3 & 4,
> leaving the new modules in slots 1 & 2, but when I booted the
> computer I was back to square one, again. That is the System
> Properties dialog box shows only 256 MB of RAM.
>
> What am I overlooking? How do I get this system to recognize the
> memory modules in slots 3 & 4? Is there a mainboard jumper
> setting that I need to change?
>
> Thanks for any insights. Gordon

On Thu, 30 Nov 2006 01:05:18 GMT, "Michael W. Ryder"
<_> wrote:

>Gordon wrote:
>> I built this computer several years ago, using an ASUS P2B-S
>> mainboard, an Intel Pentium III 501 MHz CPU and two Viking128 MB
>> SDRAM memory modules for a total of 256 MB of RAM. This computer
>> has worked very well over the years. I am now running Windows XP
>> Pro with Service Pack 2.
>>
>> Recently I tried to add two more SDRAM memory modules and bring
>> the total up to 512 MB of RAM. I bought the two new modules from
>> Memory4Less and the specs indicate that these modules are ECC
>> compliant, 168 pin 3.3 V SDRAM modules. I can not find a specific
>> brand name on the modules or on the order form, but there is a
>> ManuNumver AA18C16R72-PC100 entry on the order form.
>>
>
>Are your old memory modules ECC or non-ECC? I have that motherboard and
>I know that I never used ECC memory in it. I think if you try to mix
>the two types of memory together you will run into problems. I had no
>problems updating my board to use 4 memory modules and getting 512 MB of
>memory to work.
>
Both the old and the new modules are ECC. I have never tried
non-ECC on this mainboard. I understand it will work, but won't
be able to handle errors as well as the ECC modules.

I'm contemplating ordering two more of the new type modules and
replacing the old Viking modules with these. That would give me a
full set of 4 modules that are exactly alike.
>
>> I installed these new modules into slots 3 & 4 and booted the
>> computer. It came alive in a normal fashion, but the System
>> Properties dialog box shows only 256 MB of RAM, not the
>> anticipated 512 MB.
>>
>> I have searched through the BIOS Chipset Features Setup but have
>> found no changes that seem appropriate or necessary to get this
>> new memory to be recognized.
>>
>> I tried removing the original memory and placing these new memory
>> modules in slots 1 & 2 where the original memory modules have
>> been. The computer starts, recognized the memory modules, and
>> operates normally, but, as would be expected, shows only 256 MB
>> of RAM.
>>
>> Next I tried placing the old memory modules in slots 3 & 4,
>> leaving the new modules in slots 1 & 2, but when I booted the
>> computer I was back to square one, again. That is the System
>> Properties dialog box shows only 256 MB of RAM.
>>
>> What am I overlooking? How do I get this system to recognize the
>> memory modules in slots 3 & 4? Is there a mainboard jumper
>> setting that I need to change?
>>
>> Thanks for any insights. Gordon

Re: "No, I've not updated the BIOS since building this computer, about 7
years ago."

Huge mistake, in this case. Do that FIRST. It may not help, but it's
definitely the first step.

If you are going to build a new system, I'd go Core 2 Duo with an E6600
CPU and Asus or Gigabyte motherboard. But it's going to cost about
$1,100 to build the whole system, you will need new everything, all of
the standards have changed:

-Socket 775 CPU
-PCI Express Video card
-DDR2 memory
-SATA hard drives
-New power supply standards (24-pin connector)

Really, nothing is the same. Not only for your now 7 year old system,
but even compared to a system built just 2 years ago.


Gordon wrote:
> On Wed, 29 Nov 2006 23:18:38 +0100, "Egil Solberg"
> <> wrote:
>
>> Gordon wrote:
>>
>>> Egil, thanks for the suggestion. I've not tried using 3 modules
>>> at a time. I'll play around with this and see what happens. I
>>> also will put one each of the old and new modules into slots 1 &
>>> 2 to see if they will work together. Gordon
>> I suppose you use latest BIOS as well? Or is it very old? This could be a
>> BIOS bug.
>> ftp://ftp.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/slot1...2b-s/index.txt
>>
>> Latest is 1014 (beta)
>>
> No, I've not updated the BIOS since building this computer, about
> 7 years ago. This may be at least part of the problem.
>
> I just checked several setups with the memory modules. It seems
> there is a problem with the old, mixed with the new memory in
> slots 1 and 2. When I did this I got a beeping sound from the
> computer, and if it would boot at all, it showed only 128 MB of
> RAM.
>
> Also, when I put both new modules in slots 1 & 2, then put one of
> the old modules in slot 3 it showed only 128 MB of RAM. It didn't
> make a beeping sound, and seemed to run okay, although very slow.
>
> So, there does seem to be some level of incompatibility between
> the old Viking modules and the new Memory4Less modules.
>
> I'm about ready to throw this old mainboard in the trash and
> start fresh, from the ground up. This computer is my primary home
> network computer, and doesn't have to do anything spectacular,
> like gaming, but should be reliable and stable.
>
> Any suggestions for a replacement mainboard. This computer is set
> up in a PC Power and Cooling tall tower case with lots of
> provisions for other stuff. I don't want to toss the box in the
> trash. It is built like a Sherman tank, and is very quiet. I have
> it stuffed with hard drives, CD recorders, ZIP and SuperDisk
> drives.
>
> Gordon

the board need pc100 low density memory non ecc
some pc133 will work but it is hit or miss
"Gordon" <> wrote in message
news:...
>I built this computer several years ago, using an ASUS P2B-S
> mainboard, an Intel Pentium III 501 MHz CPU and two Viking128 MB
> SDRAM memory modules for a total of 256 MB of RAM. This computer
> has worked very well over the years. I am now running Windows XP
> Pro with Service Pack 2.
>
> Recently I tried to add two more SDRAM memory modules and bring
> the total up to 512 MB of RAM. I bought the two new modules from
> Memory4Less and the specs indicate that these modules are ECC
> compliant, 168 pin 3.3 V SDRAM modules. I can not find a specific
> brand name on the modules or on the order form, but there is a
> ManuNumver AA18C16R72-PC100 entry on the order form.
>
> I installed these new modules into slots 3 & 4 and booted the
> computer. It came alive in a normal fashion, but the System
> Properties dialog box shows only 256 MB of RAM, not the
> anticipated 512 MB.
>
> I have searched through the BIOS Chipset Features Setup but have
> found no changes that seem appropriate or necessary to get this
> new memory to be recognized.
>
> I tried removing the original memory and placing these new memory
> modules in slots 1 & 2 where the original memory modules have
> been. The computer starts, recognized the memory modules, and
> operates normally, but, as would be expected, shows only 256 MB
> of RAM.
>
> Next I tried placing the old memory modules in slots 3 & 4,
> leaving the new modules in slots 1 & 2, but when I booted the
> computer I was back to square one, again. That is the System
> Properties dialog box shows only 256 MB of RAM.
>
> What am I overlooking? How do I get this system to recognize the
> memory modules in slots 3 & 4? Is there a mainboard jumper
> setting that I need to change?
>
> Thanks for any insights. Gordon