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Help - totally computer illiterate!

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unmerged(1522)

unmerged(1522)

Mostly harmless
Mar 4, 2001
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Okay, I admit it: EU made me buy additional RAM. I hope you're happy. :) Anyhow, the following is a really primitive question, and I feel appropriately embarrassed, but keep in mind that pretty much all I know about computers is how to turn them on and how to install software (provided it doesn't involve more than double-clicking, hehe). :)

Here goes: I stick the additional RAM into its slot, turn on the computer, wait for beautiful things to happen - and nothing changes. I'm still at 32 MB RAM (ick), and Windows can't detect any new hardware. I'm beginning to suspect that maybe I bought the wrong sort of RAM? All the clerk wanted to know was my processor type (P2/300)... Anyhow, I checked the bill from way back when I bought my desktop, and it lists '168 pin 32 MB DIMM - Synchronous (SDRAM)' (#6013). Today's bill (for the additional RAM) says 'ME/GN-150 PC100 128MB SDRAM' (#9051). Are they the same thing, i.e. if one works, the other should work as well, or am I missing something? Or maybe I'm missing something completely obvious in the installation process?

Help! Please? :)
 
Try replacing your older DIMM with the new one (put the new DIMM in the slot of your old one), use only the new stick. See what happens there.


It's possible that your motherboard doesn't support the newer RAM.
 
It might also be a problem mixing and matching the two seperate memory blocks; they are completely different. Your motherboard also may not support your particular memory configuation. I'm assuming here that you are trying to use both memory's??

I concur with UnionBuster and suggest REPLACING your old DIMM with the new PC100.

If that doesn't work, you can always throw your computer in the trash and buy a new one so you can play EU regardless of the cost :)

Good luck,

Curt -
 
Thanks, guys! :) Yes, I tried to run both at the same time. I also tried to replace the older RAM with the one I bought today, but I can't remove it (it won't come out). :(
If that doesn't work, you can always throw your computer in the trash and buy a new one so you can play EU regardless of the cost
Click to expand...
Hehe, I wish. Buying 128 MB RAM was an investment for me as it is... :) If all else fails, I'll just try to exchange my PC/100 RAM for 128 MB at PC/66.
 
Well I DO know a bit about hardware since that is my 'profession', and I first the number on the RAM 66Mhz, 100Mhz or 133Mhz is the MAXIMUM clock frequency the ram is guaranteed to work with, so mixing 66Mhz and 100Mhz ram isn't a problem as the 100Mhz ram will still run at 66Mhz (but it is ABLE to go at 100Mhz). Anyway, but the important point is that some machines, especially if the setup is a brand name (like Compaq, Dell etc.) they are very finicky about what exact brand of ram they want to use... So trying different brands of ram usually helps until you find one that works.. Again assuming your setup don't have any exotic requirements on the ram it uses, this you should be able to tell by calling tech support from where you bought the computer, or checking the manuel yourself, or showing the manual to the clerk at the shop you bought the extra ram.
But since you said you couldn't get the Ram stick out I suspect you are simply having a physical problem, i.e. the ram isn't installed properly. 168 pins DIMM has 2 notches under the stick and one notch on each of the sides. The 2 notches below should be aligned with the corresponding bits on the ram socket, this to prevent you from inserting the ram 180 degrees wrong (backwards). The two notches on the side is supposed to make sure the stick is properly inserted and pressed hard enough down to give you a good and firm contact between the ram socket and the ram stick. They are usually filled by the two white (your color may vary) plastic locks on the sides. The very same locks you should press down when you want to take the ram stick out again. In other words when you press the ram stick down in the socket the right way the locks on the sides should get pushed into the notches on the sides of the stick, and to get the stick out you must push away the plastic locks and if you do it right the ram stick should almost jump out of the socket.
All the time when you are fiddling within this remember to keep the machine turned off but with the leads in, the touch the powersupply to ground yourself before you start messing with the ram. And always check and double check that you are doing things right (i.e. no notches or anything in the way) before you apply any significant pressure, though especially new sockets need quite a bit of pressure to get the ram stick to fit the first time...

Hope this helps you a bit out...

Cobos

Ps: Yes I have worked at tech support myself... :)
 
furthermore you should check out other specifications of your ram. on some machines it makes a difference using single headed/double headed ram :rolleyes:
 
Eureka!

Once again, thanks for all the comments - I truly appreciate your help! :) Anyhow, I called up tech support, and they said running both blocks at the same time should have a 50/50 chance of success, but I could also try to replace block A with block B (as suggested above), or get another PC/66 block.

So I thought, what the hej, let's go with door 2, and tried removing the old block again. Btw, I had unlocked it and all, but it was still stuck. After keeping at it for a goodly ten minutes, I finally got it to budge, put in the new block, started up - eh voila! :)

So, time to fight the good fight again - Russia, here I come! :)
 
Actually I'd be careful with using the old one in the second slot as some motherboards read off the speed of the ram from the first memory stick...I.e. it will run them both at 100Mhz and that would make the 66Mhz one unstable... But if the motherboard doesn't support 100Mhz ram at all that shouldn't be a problem at all :)

Cobos
 
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