Installing RAM - 512mb only showing as 256mb?

[Matt Phelps]

Please help me, I'm extremely green when it comes to this sort of thing!

I saw how cheap RAM is these days and so I bought a stick of 512mb for 50 quid and just tried to install it in my machine, but when I powered up and checked the BIOS it only recognises the memory as 256mb.

The RAM is made by a company called Kingston - 512mb PC133 DIMM CL3 (KVR133X64C3/512)

I already have two sticks of 128 in there and I was hoping to get 768mb with the third stick. My FSB only runs at 100 mhz but I don't see why that should be a problem. (I can't overclock that in the BIOS software because it doesn't appear to be an option). I also tried swapping the RAM over so it was in Slot 0 instead of Slot 2 (making it the first 1 of 3) in case that made a difference somehow, but it didn't.

Can anyone advise me? Have I been shortchanged and given the wrong memory, or have I screwed up somewhere?

[akmsr]

what are your specs? what os?

[glc]

It's very likely that this particular module is not compatible with your motherboard. Check with Kingston to verify this.

[Matt Phelps]

I'm running a P3 600E on Win98. Erm...I'm not too familiar with Motherboards but it is a Gateway built PC so it is probably some OEM board, but it is running the Intel 440BX/ZX rev 3 chipset, according to BIOS Wizard.

[Matt Phelps]

Originally posted by glc
It's very likely that this particular module is not compatible with your motherboard. Check with Kingston to verify this.

Right, I guess I should have choosen more carefully. Will it be all right in there as just 256mb? Not going to give me a problem at all is it?

[Matt Phelps]

This is from the online manual for my board (at least I think it is my board):

RAM
168-pin Sync DRAM (SDRAM) memory. Three slots. Expandable to 768 MB SDRAM.

The board is supposed to be a Celeron Socket 370 using the Intel 440ZX chipset.

All this is a bit perplexing but I am learning plenty. :)

[glc]

The only way to get that board up to 768 is with three 256 modules. You should not go over 512 with Windows 98 anyway - there are caching issues. To avoid instability, you really need to buy a module that is certified compatible with that model Gateway, those machines don't really like generic ram. If you get a proper 256 module it will run fine with your existing pair of 128's and give you 512. That module you have MAY cause problems.

[Matt Phelps]

Okay thanks. I'll leave it in for now and see what happens. I guess if I start getting a whole bunch of BSOD's then I'll know the reason why. :)