I doubled my RAM, now the computer crashes!

gbub · 07-31-02, 03:27 PM

My computer came with 256MB PC133 SDRAM. I just bought a new 256MB chip, but it's a different brand. At the beginning of the boot it reads all 512MB, but by the time Win98 starts to load, it freezes, crashes, reboots, etc. It runs fine with either chip in but not both at the same time. I went into BIOS and changed my FSB to PC100 and it runs stable w/ 512MB, but my 1.4GHz reads as a 1.05GHz now.

Anything I can do?

Shuki · 07-31-02, 05:04 PM

you try different combination of mem slots? 1,3 or 1,2 or 2,3?

Dirk · 07-31-02, 05:13 PM

Also, try adjusting your RAM timing in the BIOS to be a bit slower. Could be that one of the two is a bit slow, and with the two together, it's just not quite cutting it.

SubZero · 07-31-02, 06:12 PM

If you are using Win98, adding the extra memory really isn't going to do much for you. You probably won't even notice a difference.
Jon

Ranger · 07-31-02, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SubZero
If you are using Win98, adding the extra memory really isn't going to do much for you. You probably won't even notice a difference.
Jon

I believe he is right, I have 448mb ram on my win98SE system and it only uses 256 mb of ram. Later OSes like 2k and XP take advantage of more memory.

But more memory makes it easier to overclock.

Souljahh · 07-31-02, 07:29 PM

Yep, 98 iirc only uses 256 max. You should really look into getting XP installed. It'll probably solve your problem too.

JTH182 · 07-31-02, 08:31 PM

I had the same problem... I pretty much fixed it by buying a matching stick of RAM... Sorry, I guess that's not the answer you're looking for

Ranger · 07-31-02, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by grr1

I have 448mb ram on my win98SE system and it only uses 256 mb of ram. Later OSes like 2k and XP take advantage of more memory.

Uhh.... stratch that. I meant that win 2k and XP used memory more effectively. I checked my system monitoring and it was using 270 mb of 448 mb after heavy use and sevral running programs.

My suggestion is to try take the old stick out, and if it works, then buy another stick of the exact kind.

gcribbs · 08-01-02, 01:41 AM

win 98se uses up to 512 MB.

I agree with a couple of the suggestions given.

One check the cas settings to cas 3 from cas 2 or auto.

also try moving the dimms around- although I doubt this is the problem since it would not have been solved by lowering the FSB.

what brand ram did you get?

what was it? pc133 cas 2, cas 3?

Cavalier · 08-01-02, 07:51 AM

I have a similar problem. My Win2k machine crashes frequently when I have both 256MB DDR modules installed. In fact, 3DMark can't get past the second test. When I removed one of the modules, everything seemed to clear up including 3DMark which now completes all tests with no problems.

The RAM modules match, so the only thing I've thought of so far is I was pushing the limits of my power supply with both installed.

-Cavalier

gbub · 08-01-02, 10:27 AM

I had already tried checking if it was slot related, but it made no difference w/ 256 or 512 in any combo. I didn't check the cas number when I bought it 'cause I didn't realize it mattered. I'll see if I can change the cas setting though.

How do I change the RAM timing in BIOS or what does the setting read as?

07-31-02, 03:27 PM	#1
gbub Senior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Nashotah, WI, USA Posts: 626	I doubled my RAM, now the computer crashes! My computer came with 256MB PC133 SDRAM. I just bought a new 256MB chip, but it's a different brand. At the beginning of the boot it reads all 512MB, but by the time Win98 starts to load, it freezes, crashes, reboots, etc. It runs fine with either chip in but not both at the same time. I went into BIOS and changed my FSB to PC100 and it runs stable w/ 512MB, but my 1.4GHz reads as a 1.05GHz now. Anything I can do?

07-31-02, 07:29 PM	#6
Souljahh DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: where the meat's at Posts: 1,643	Yep, 98 iirc only uses 256 max. You should really look into getting XP installed. It'll probably solve your problem too. __________________ "You can't see borders. They're man-made. Nature couldn't care less." -- La Grande Illusion

07-31-02, 08:31 PM	#7
JTH182 DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 3,011	I had the same problem... I pretty much fixed it by buying a matching stick of RAM... Sorry, I guess that's not the answer you're looking for __________________ What the f**k is the Internet?

08-01-02, 01:41 AM	#9
gcribbs DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Sacramento,Ca,USA member #2634 Posts: 11,866	win 98se uses up to 512 MB. I agree with a couple of the suggestions given. One check the cas settings to cas 3 from cas 2 or auto. also try moving the dimms around- although I doubt this is the problem since it would not have been solved by lowering the FSB. what brand ram did you get? what was it? pc133 cas 2, cas 3? __________________ Klipsch RF-3II- Front and Surrounds Klipsch RC-35 Center Energy S10.2 Subwoofer Denon 2802

07-31-02, 05:04 PM	#2
Shuki DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: in the hidden place Posts: 2,050	you try different combination of mem slots? 1,3 or 1,2 or 2,3?

07-31-02, 05:13 PM	#3
Dirk Senior Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 645	Also, try adjusting your RAM timing in the BIOS to be a bit slower. Could be that one of the two is a bit slow, and with the two together, it's just not quite cutting it.

07-31-02, 06:12 PM	#4
SubZero Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 440	If you are using Win98, adding the extra memory really isn't going to do much for you. You probably won't even notice a difference. Jon

08-01-02, 07:51 AM	#10
Cavalier Member Join Date: Jul 1999 Posts: 73	I have a similar problem. My Win2k machine crashes frequently when I have both 256MB DDR modules installed. In fact, 3DMark can't get past the second test. When I removed one of the modules, everything seemed to clear up including 3DMark which now completes all tests with no problems. The RAM modules match, so the only thing I've thought of so far is I was pushing the limits of my power supply with both installed. -Cavalier

08-01-02, 10:27 AM	#11
gbub Senior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Nashotah, WI, USA Posts: 626	I had already tried checking if it was slot related, but it made no difference w/ 256 or 512 in any combo. I didn't check the cas number when I bought it 'cause I didn't realize it mattered. I'll see if I can change the cas setting though. How do I change the RAM timing in BIOS or what does the setting read as?