Memory question

[bruinator]

Here is a partial printout of one of my PC's hardware from Everest:

[ BIOS ]

BIOS Properties:
Vendor Phoenix
Technologies Ltd.
Version HZ.01.09US
Release Date 11/23/99
Size 512 KB
Boot Devices Floppy Disk,
Hard Disk, CD-ROM, ATAPI ZIP
Capabilities Flash BIOS,
Shadow BIOS
Supported Standards DMI, APM, ACPI,
ESCD, PnP
Expansion Capabilities ISA, PCI, AGP

[ System ]

System Properties:
Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
Product HP Vectra
Version VLi8
Serial Number US93502514
Wake-Up Type Power Switch

[ Motherboard ]

Motherboard Properties:
Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
Product HP Holmes
System Board
Version D4066-60001
Serial Number US93502514

[ Chassis ]

Chassis Properties:
Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
Version N/A
Serial Number N/A
Asset Tag N/A
Chassis Type Pizza Box
Chassis Lock Present

[ Memory Controller ]

Memory Controller Properties:
Error Detection Method None
Supported Memory Interleave 1-Way
Current Memory Interleave 1-Way
Supported Memory Types DIMM, SDRAM
Supported Memory Voltages 3.3V
Maximum Memory Module Size 256 MB
Memory Slots 2

[ Processors / Pentium(R) III ]


THe question I have is there are 2 slots for memory, does the listing mean that each slot can handle 256 of MB or that the 2 slots total can only handle 256 mb? Please let me know.

TIA

[Panama Red]

"Maximum memory module size" is listed as 256MB. This would mean you can put 256 in each slot for a total of 512. If you're looking to buy new memory, it is best to use a configurator like the one at www.Crucial.com and buy direct from them. PC133 comes in High and Low density designs and HP's are known to be quite picky with ram compatibility.

[bruinator]

PR, I was thinking about the 1st one listed here

http://www.pricewatch.com/memory/1948-1.htm

Do you think I would have troubles with compatibility issues with it? thanks for your response.

[blue60007]

Buy from Crucial. Like PR said, HPs are picky. Better be safe than sorry.

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by bruinator PR, I was thinking about the 1st one listed here http://www.pricewatch.com/memory/1948-1.htm Do you think I would have troubles with compatibility issues with it? thanks for your response.

That one is ECC. Not what you want. The nice thing about Crucial, Kingston, or Corsair is the configurator guarantees the memory you buy will work. Buying anything else from anyone else is a crapshoot.

[bruinator]

PR, What is ECC? How do you know if the one I showed wouldn't work. I don't doubt you I am just curious how you know so I can learn to detect these issues.

TIA

[Gizmo]

ECC RAM (also known as Registered) is Error Correcting Code RAM. Basically an extra binary digit for parity is added to binary strings to detect errors later on. ECC RAM is not neccessary for an average home use machine because they are not under such heavy data demand as servers. ECC RAM is only recommended for servers. There's a good chance the BIOS software on that motherboard won't accept ECC RAM and therefore will not work. PR has a good point, you can't trust just any manufacturer when choosing RAM for a proprietary motherboard.

[Panama Red]

Here's a pretty good explanation of ECC. A mobo must be capable of using ECC and, if it is, you can't mix ECC with non-ECC memory. ECC is most commonly used in servers.

http://www.2cpu.com/articles/44_1.html