Got myself into BEEP hell, messin' with RAM timing...

[dennphill]

New here - nice site. Briefly scanned but didn't find my problem. This computer I just put together a few months ago works fine so I can ask questions on this one about my older PC that I just apparently really screwed up. It's an older Pent II 266Mhz with a IWill KK-266 AGP MB, with Phoenix AwardBIOS. I upgraded original memory several years back to a 512MB PC133 unbuffered generic RAM unit. All was going fine and I decided a couple of years ago to double the memory, and got another (identical, I think) PC133 512MB 3.3V SDRAM stick. When I put that in the 2nd DIMM bank on the MB, the machine would only boot up in SAFE mode (running Win98 SE2). Either one would boot in the first DIMM socket just fine, but when both were inserted, whoops...SAFE mode only. So, for the past couple of years, one was just left in the plastic wrap inside the floor of the case.
....until today, with nothing better to do. I booted up the machine, thinking I could screw around with the RAM timing...changed the CAS latency setting from 3 (default) to 2. [Didn't read the MB manual that says, "Do not reset this field from the default value...," and note that the DRAM clock selection (which was what I really wanted) was actually a step or too past the CAS setting.]
Anyway, with both DIMMs installed I get continuous beeps...with either installed in the first socket, the same...continuous beeps. Any way to reset things or anyway else to fix this problem? TIA.

[minsonngo]

Just clear or reset the CMOS/BIOS settings. There usually is a jumper on the motherboard to do just that, look it up in your motherboard manual.


With the issue of installing both sticks of memory for a total of 1GB. It may be possible that your motherboard is limited to only a certain amount of memory. 1GB may be more than the motherboard supports. I would consult the motherboard manual again for the details.

[Panama Red]

According to the specs, that mobo should support 3 - 512 sticks for a total of 1.5Gb. It's more likely a double sided/double density issue. If both memory sticks have chips on both sides, it may see that as the equivalent of 4 sticks of memory. Only sure way is to buy memory from a confgurator like Crucial, Kingston or Corsair.

If you can't find the clear cmos jumper, just unplug the power and remove the mobo battery for about 30 minutes. That should clear it.

http://www.motherboard.cz/mb/iwill/KK266.htm

[dennphill]

...as we speak, trying to get back at them l'il "clear CMOS" jumpers. Thnx!
But as to the two 512 mem sticks, the mobo should take 1.5gig...guess that serves me right for not buying the expensive memory.