Upgrading Memory

[vizwhiz]

Thanks for confirming...the memory supplier also said the same thing - that it was an issue of low density vs high density.

I thought it might be good to know that the HP Tech Support guys (I chatted with one online) MAY have different info than what the HP Support website says. 

I have the memory in the mail going back for an exchange, and will hopefully be happily upgraded by early next year.

Thanks again for your input.

[techman01]

Ok hopefully you can help me. Here is what I had originally:

HP Media Center m72560n.

Ram: 1GB (2x512MB in slots 1 & 2)

Max:4GB

Speed: PC3200 MB/sec

Type:240 pin

DIMM slots: 4 Open slots: 2

I wanted to upgrade to 4GB so I bought 4 PNY PC2-5300 DDR2 1GB 240-pin memory. When I tried to restart the PC after installing the new memory, it would not start. I have tried several configurations and upgraded my BIOS already. Anytime I have the new memory in Slot 1, the computer will not start. I was able to get it to start with Slots 1 & 3 = 512MB and Slots 2 & 4 = 1GB (new) but I would like to get the full 4GB instead of the 3GB that I have now.

Please help. Thanks in advance!

[fishinfever]

I have a m7100e with only 512 ram. 2 x 256 in slots 1 & 2

There are 2 more slots available

I ordered 1 512 from HP I had not checked inside before ordering.

Can I put the 512 in the 3rd slot and be okay or do I have to order another 512

If I do order another stick would the 2 512s just go in slots 3 & 4 or

would it be better to take the 256s out and put the 2 512s into the 1 and 2 slots?

[vivek2d]

I just added 1GB RAM PC2-5300U -555. Manufacturer is Dynet.But the other RAM that comes with PC 512 PC2-4200 is not detected. Both the RAM working perfect separately. What to do to make both to be detectable?

[RAD45]

Hi vivek2d..  Your critical issue is trying to use two sets of unmatched memory.  ALL memory has to be either PC2-5300 or PC2-4200.  You cannot mix different densities and latencys.  So, ditch the 4300 RAM sticks and buy two more of the 5300 sticks.  Make absolutely sure all the RAM sticks match... same density, same latency, everything.  Otherwise, your mobo won't boot and the offending RAM won't be detected. 

[epretorious]

Hey, RasterBlaster:

I need your help: After reading many of your posts in this thread, checking the system specificiations of my s3200n, and checking the specifications of the Asus M2N61-AR motherboard I purchased two 2GB PC2-5300 non-ECC, non-registered DDR2-667 DIMM's to replace the two OEM 512MB DIMM's in my s3200n.

• When I test the 2GB DIMM's together (i.e., 2 x 2GB) using Memtest86+ ver. 1.65 a couple of random errors always seem to occur once (and only once) between the fourth and the sixth pass but not in later passes.
• When I test the 2GB DIMM's one at a time (i.e., 1 x 2GB) using Memtest86+ ver. 1.65 the test completes +8 passes without any errors.
• When I test the OEM 512MB DIMM's together (i.e., 2 x 512MB) using Memtest86+ ver. 1.65 the test completes +8 passes without any errors.

Could this be caused by the my s3200n's outdated BIOS (ver 7.05)? Might this be caused by my s3200n's 160W power supply? Or do you think that the old version of Memtest86+ is to blame?

TIA,

Eric Pretorious

Sunnyvale, CA

[saxonman48]

I have a t3510 (UK model) HP code RA918AA

At the moment I have 2 of 512mb 4200 memory and the spec for 3510 states I can have 2gb (2 x 1Gb) and I cannot get the 4200 speed but found an article saying that the 5300 is backward compatible hence I have bought 2 of these BUT when I install them, bank 2 switches off hence I only get 1 Gb and the bios set-up screen still states 4200 version.

What am I doing wrong or is it the bios is incompatible with 5300 ??

Thanks in advance

[epretorious]

---

@epretorious wrote:

...After reading many of your posts in this thread, checking the system specificiations of my s3200n, and checking the specifications of the Asus M2N61-AR motherboard I purchased two 2GB PC2-5300 non-ECC, non-registered DDR2-667 DIMM's to replace the two OEM 512MB DIMM's in my s3200n.

• When I test the 2GB DIMM's together (i.e., 2 x 2GB) using Memtest86+ ver. 1.65 a couple of random errors always seem to occur once (and only once) between the fourth and the sixth pass but not in later passes.
• When I test the 2GB DIMM's one at a time (i.e., 1 x 2GB) using Memtest86+ ver. 1.65 the test completes +8 passes without any errors.

Could this be caused by the my s3200n's outdated BIOS (ver 5.05)?... Or do you think that the old version of Memtest86+ is to blame?

---

Downloading and installing the latest BIOS firmware for the s3200n from the Software and Drivers page seems to have fixed the problem: There have been no errors in ~15 hours of testing (i.e., twelve compltee passes) when testing both 2GB DIMM's together (i.e., 2 x 2GB) using Memtest86+ ver. 1.65.

[epretorious]

---

@epretorious wrote:

Could this be caused by the my s3200n's outdated BIOS (ver 5.05)?... Or do you think that the old version of Memtest86+ is to blame?

---

FWIW: I don't know if it's correct or not, but Memtest86+ ver. 1.65 identifies the memory controller as an AMD 8000 chipset.

[fishinfever]

I have a m7100e with only 512 ram. 2 x 256 in slots 1 & 2

There are 2 more slots available

I ordered 1 512 from HP I had not checked inside before ordering.

Can I put the 512 in the 3rd slot and be okay or do I have to order another 512

If I do order another stick would the 2 512s just go in slots 3 & 4 or

would it be better to take the 256s out and put the 2 512s into the 1 and 2 slots?

Any help would be greatly appreciated