Tom's Hardware > Forum > Motherboards & Memory > Memory > SD-RAM PROBLEM
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STUBBY   01-26-2007 at 09:54:43 AM

Hi guys, have a problem with this Pentium III I am using.

My processor is P3 800MHz EB that supports a FSB of 133MHz
I'm using some old Winsonic mobo.
I currently have 2 sticks of 256mb 133MHz SD-RAM plugged into the DIMM slots
And I'm running Windows XP Pro.

When I click on Control Panel>System, the RAM is displayed as 256mb.
But when I check with CPU-Z, it detects 2 sticks of RAM in slot #1 and #2.
Task Manager indicates that I only have 256mb of RAM available as well(and my comp slows down much more when I run multiple applications compared to before)

What might be the problem here? I haven't changed any BIOS settings from before.

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dagoth_ur   01-26-2007 at 10:21:15 AM
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Thats because CPUZ reads the SPD info from the memory modules, so it indicates 2x256 MB. I have the same issue, its caused by the chipset-you probably use Intel 440 BX chipset, which just cannot use single sided 256MB modules. So, if your modules are 256 MB, both single sided, the chipset simply uses only one half of each of them, which means 2x128 MB. Thats it

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desolationw   01-26-2007 at 10:28:35 AM
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my only thought is that the motherboard cannot support more than 256mb of ram.

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Crashman   01-26-2007 at 11:20:51 AM
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That's what you get for thinking.

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Crashman   01-26-2007 at 11:21:13 AM
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What does BIOS show for RAM at the POST screen?

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STUBBY   01-26-2007 at 04:09:31 PM
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Quote :

Thats because CPUZ reads the SPD info from the memory modules, so it indicates 2x256 MB. I have the same issue, its caused by the chipset-you probably use Intel 440 BX chipset, which just cannot use single sided 256MB modules. So, if your modules are 256 MB, both single sided, the chipset simply uses only one half of each of them, which means 2x128 MB. Thats it



I know what you mean, but this mobo of mine used to run double and single sided 256MB modules before without issue. Strange thing was I recently reformatted my computer and reinstalled Win XP and now it only detects one of them. Didn't use to be the case back then.

And I using VIA Apollo Pro 133A Chipset. Says here in the manual that "Supports single & double sided DIMMs"

Had to dig out my ancient mobo manual for that =P

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STUBBY   01-26-2007 at 04:12:48 PM
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Quote :

my only thought is that the motherboard cannot support more than 256mb of ram.



My ancient mobo manual says this mobo can support up to 1.5G of RAM. It has 3 DIMM slots, one died, so it's 1G now...

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STUBBY   01-26-2007 at 04:57:42 PM
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Quote :

What does BIOS show for RAM at the POST screen?



It says 256mb

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AdamBomb42   01-26-2007 at 06:49:11 PM
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Try reseating your memory.

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Crashman   01-26-2007 at 08:33:36 PM
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Like the last guy said, try reseating it. They do get "dirty".

If that doesn't work, try testing each module individually. You might have a bad "side".

Your chipset supports high-density RAM, so at least we know it shouldn't be a compatibility issue.

Reply to Crashman
Mondoman   01-26-2007 at 09:48:55 PM
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Quote :

... It has 3 DIMM slots, one died, so it's 1G now...


Perhaps more than just that one slot has died...

Reply to Mondoman
Crashman   01-26-2007 at 10:37:28 PM
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Oh, hey, I missed the dead slot! That can be caused by a bad capacitor, believe it or not. Start checking the board for capacitors that have swollen or brow-spotted tops, and look at the bottoms for oozing.

Reply to Crashman
STUBBY   01-27-2007 at 08:36:43 AM
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Swopped the RAM slots around and it worked, have 512mb again.

Thanks for the help Guys

Reply to STUBBY
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