Hi - new forum member. I have a Gateway GT5414E computer. Stock, it has 2 DDR2 DIMMS, PC2 4200, 1GB each for a total of 2G. I bought 2 ea. PC 5300 sticks because my understanding was that the faster ram could run at the slower speed. I have not been successful in installing the memory, at least not both sticks. Here are the results of various attempts:
1) Installed two new PC 5300 sticks in spare slots. Motherboard beeps when powered up - won't boot.
2) Removed original ram and installed new PC 5300 sticks in same slots. Computer boots fine.
3) Moved new PC 5300 sticks to the other 2 slots (originally empty). Computer boots fine.
4) Returned original memory to original slots. If I install one new PC 5300 stick in either of the remaining slots, computer boots fine and shows 3GB memory. Both new sticks are recognized in this manner (one at a time).
BIOS settings (Phoenix) for RAM speed are "auto" or "limit speed to 400, 533, 667, 800". Setting when I started was "auto". I have tried "limit to 533" and "limit to 400" with same results. Since original memory is 533Mhz, I did not see the need to try any higher.
Any ideas why the motherboard doesn't like old ram + 2 sticks new PC 5300 at the same time? The PC 5300 brand is Kingston.
Thanks,
Don
1) Installed two new PC 5300 sticks in spare slots. Motherboard beeps when powered up - won't boot.
2) Removed original ram and installed new PC 5300 sticks in same slots. Computer boots fine.
3) Moved new PC 5300 sticks to the other 2 slots (originally empty). Computer boots fine.
4) Returned original memory to original slots. If I install one new PC 5300 stick in either of the remaining slots, computer boots fine and shows 3GB memory. Both new sticks are recognized in this manner (one at a time).
BIOS settings (Phoenix) for RAM speed are "auto" or "limit speed to 400, 533, 667, 800". Setting when I started was "auto". I have tried "limit to 533" and "limit to 400" with same results. Since original memory is 533Mhz, I did not see the need to try any higher.
Any ideas why the motherboard doesn't like old ram + 2 sticks new PC 5300 at the same time? The PC 5300 brand is Kingston.
Thanks,
Don