Windows 98 SE Doesn't Like Additional Memory

[pumbaa]

RAM is the affordable upgrade right?? When it works!

I'm trying to add RAM but my machine does not want to take it. Every time I put in the second DIMM I get a TOTALLY unstable system. If it boots, it either locks up and reboots itself or I get various fatal exception errors. It has even corrupted (recoverable) the registry twice.

The memory manufacturer says it's either hardware or Windows. The MB manufacturer says it's either the memory or Windows.

Here are the system specs and what I have tried. Home built system utilizing a SOYO K7-VIA MB(their Tech Support was no help), Crucial 256 MB DIMM's (32x64) and Windows 98 SE. The system runs fine with one 256 DIMM installed but when I add the second it goes wacko. Both DIMM's are the same Crucial part number and both run fine installed alone. The MB has three DIMM slots. No combination of positions is stable but any one slot is OK. MS Knowledge base has two articles about Win 98 and large amounts of memory. One deals with adjusting the VCache setting the other is limiting the maximum memory through a setting in the [386enh]section of Win.ini. Neither of these worked alone or combined. As a matter of fact these are what screwed up the registry.

The only other thing that I can think of is to reinstall Win 98SE, but what a huge pain that is. It seems to be Windows related. But it may be hardware. At this point I really don't know.

Any suggestions that you may have are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Kubie]

pumbaa,
I don't have an answer for you but I use Win98SE and 2-sticks of Crucial 256mb, pc133 ram without a problem.
From everything I've read on this site, the ram should be installed in the ram slots in order. In other words, depending how your mobo is numbered, 1-stick in slot 1, second stick in slot 2.
Carl

[SARGE]

One way to tell for sure is try the stick by itself. If same results, it's either wrong type or defective.

[pcoopers]

I bought 256 meg of PC133 for this 1Ghz machine, meant to add to 126 meg already on it. System went goofy. Returned to shop, they tested it, pronounced memory "good". Put it back in machine alone, goofy again. Took 256 meg form 500 mhz machine, installed no problem. I put new memory into 500, worked like a charm. My best guess, and this is only a guess, that brand of memory doesn't like this MOBO. I don't believe that Win had anything to do with it.

[Leef]

Try swapping the individual sticks in each DIMM. It's also possible that the DIMM could be messed up. Play with different combinations and see if one way will work.

[courto]

I bought 2 sticks of 128MB RAM. Added both to my machine #1 no problem, perfectly compatible. Tested the same RAM in my other PC and found it was not compatible with the existing RAM, the system wouldn't recognise all the RAM and became unstable. When I removed the original RAM in machine #2 and used the new RAM everything is OK. Conclusion: some RAM don't like other RAM
Hope this helps.

[ctwaley]

Here are a couple of suggestions >>>>

1) Make sure that the sticks are fully seated so that the holding clips lock in place on their own. Requires gentle, but FIRM rocking motion on both ends of the RAM.

2) When you're messing around in the case, there are a lot of wiring and ribbons in the way. I had a similar problem that I thought was memory related but turned out to be something else altogether, the CPU fan. If it isn't running up to speed, ie: loose wiring or dirty connetion, you'll be lucky if the machine even starts the POST routine. So now, I have to make sure that the wiring is not pulled or stressed enough to cause a weak connection whenever I've opened up the case.

Best of luck.

PS - Carlgif's response to your post is also very important when putting in the RAM. The manual for my Biostar mobo specifically states that the RAM should be put in order, starting with the highest RAM the No 1 slot first. If need be get out your magnifying glass because the slots are numbered on the board (in very, very fine print of course). Computers can become finicky about RAM. I also have a '95 Compaq Presario desktop model that uses the old EDO RAM which have to be used in matching pairs.