Problems with a RAM slot on the motherboard
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Hello!
I'll tell you what's happening to me. I have two computers at home, mine and my sister's. I've upgraded mine a bit, changing the motherboard, graphics card, case, power supply, etc., and what I removed from mine, I put into my sister's.
The motherboard I have a problem with is an Asrock 4Core1600-Glan. I had this motherboard installed in my computer, with two DDR2 800 modules installed in slots 1 and 3, and it was working perfectly.
Now I have the motherboard installed in my sister's computer, with 4 1Gb DDR2 667 modules. One of the memories is the one that came with the original computer, a Swisscom or something like that. The other three are new Kingston ones.
The problem I have is that if I install all 4 modules, the computer doesn't start, it gets stuck at POST. I've tried each of the 4 modules one by one, placing them alone in slot 1, and the computer starts up perfectly. And I've repeated that with all 4 slots, and if I put the memory in the second slot, the computer doesn't work. Leaving that slot without any module, alternating the 4 memories in the other 3 slots, everything works perfectly, that is, it's not a problem of compatibility between memories or anything, because with 3Gb, installed in any way except in slot 2, everything works perfectly.
Now I've left the 3 equal Kingston modules installed in slots 1, 3 and 4.
What can I do? I've blown the slot well, I've gone over it with a brush, since as it had never been used, I thought it might have dust, but nothing, it still doesn't work.
Is something broken? Will I not be able to install the 4Gb of RAM? I hope for your opinions and your advice.
Goodbye, and thanks in advance! Agur -
It is possible that one (or some) of the pins on the slot are damaged and do not recognize the module correctly or cause a short circuit.
Have you tried placing only two identical kingston modules in slots 2 and 4? That is, to have 2Gb. If it starts up, you can rule out that it is the slot.
From the outset, mixing different memories is not recommended, as you may have read, to the point of being able to damage the memory itself or the motherboard in the worst case.Regards
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Definitive, you were right, the problem is the fourth module in dispute. I have tried the 3 kingstons together in any of the 4 slots, and the computer works perfectly. As soon as I add the fourth module, before it did not start, but now it starts, it reads it as if it were 512 Mb instead of 1Gb, it passes the POST, but the operating system does not start.
Solution, spending more money to buy a fourth module of Kingston, what a pain. They are not expensive, you can get new ones for 15€, but it annoys me having one that already works…
I suppose (and I see it more and more evident) that the problem is that, since the board supports a total of 4Gb, and in turn supports modules of up to 2Gb, so it is not a problem of compatibility with the board, but between memories...
If no one comes up with anything different, I will have to buy another module... goodbye -
I suspected it would be that from personal experience, I have already learned the lesson that mixing memories is not a good idea.
If you are going to buy a new module, try to get one that is identical to the one that is now orphaned (the one you originally had before expanding) because if it is a different voltage model or with a different frequency, you already know what will happen. I almost think it is more advisable to buy a pair that is the same as the one you have recently bought, you ensure full operation and 100% free of instability or failure.
As for the module you have left over, try to sell it second-hand, so the hassle of buying a new module is less, although selling the two modules I mentioned and putting a new pair is a better option.Regards
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Thanks for your answers. The three modules I have are identical, Kingston value ram DDR2 667, a pair bought on amazon now, and the third module 3-4 weeks ago at a computer store in my neighborhood. The CPU-Z and Aida64 say that these three modules are identical, only the weeks of manufacture change, for everything else they are the same. What I will do is try to sell this one on ebay, to see if I can get something out of it, and recover as much as possible of what the new module will cost me, which I will buy another from Kingston, obviously. Goodbye! Agur
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If that's the case then no problem. Good luck with the sale of the module and you'll let us know how it goes with the new one.
Regards
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A little question...
Even with 4 GB, XP is supposed to not recognize all the memory. In my computer for example, it only recognizes 3.25 GB. This means that even with 4 GB, only 3.25 GB are usable? That is, if my sister's computer now has 3 GB, I buy a fourth module to have 4 GB and I will only gain 0.25 GB at most, maybe it's not worth it, right? Or am I wrong? Goodbye! And thanks...agur -
correct, you would have to migrate to 64B or to W7
or I would opt for W7 64B
regards -
But, would that fourth ram module be of any use to me? I will use it completely, even if the system only shows that I have added 0.25Gb? Because if not, I leave it as it is... the thing is that with a free slot, there won't be dual channel, of course... -
It will always be better with 4 than with 3, that goes without saying. If you install a 64-bit OS, in theory it will recognize all the memory and will be functional at its full capacity.
Regards
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Hello!
Today the fourth module arrived at home and it is already assembled. The computer started up without any problems, the CPU-Z recognizes the 4 modules of 1Gb perfectly, and the OS shows me 3.25Gb of RAM available, so the problem is solved.
I must admit that the computer feels a bit lighter, it takes less time to start up and to shut down, and in general, compared to how it was before (at the very beginning, with only 1Gb of RAM) to how it is now, there is a chasm!
It was worth the outlay of money… goodbye, and thank you for your advice! Agur -
It was to be expected that it would now work perfectly.
So enjoy it and take a look around the forum every now and then
. Best regards
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