Too much memory making my Athlon crash?

Guest · Jan 18, 2002

The computer shop that built my Athlon 1400 offered me another 512MB DRAM to bring the total system memory up to 1GB (2 x 512). However, when I install the extra chip, Windows 98 reboots halfway through bootup. I don't know if the same will happen in Linux, as I am trying to get my setup perfect before I install a Linux partition.

I have tried swapping the chips around and both of them work on their own, so it can't be fault memory. I have also tried putting the chips in different sockets, but all to no avail.

Can anybody suggest what the problem might be?

Thanks

upec · Jan 18, 2002

Windows 98 does not support more than 512 MB of RAM.

Guest · Jan 18, 2002

So what's the solution? Upgrade to ME? I am loath to start messing around with XP, as I use Linux for most of my day to day things, and only really use Windows for Games and Macromedia Director.

Booky · Jan 18, 2002

You can change a setting in the registry but I forget which one it is. Check on the microsoft database or im sure someone here will know.

Crap, all the good ones are already taken.

FatBurger · Jan 18, 2002

ME is the spawn of Satan. It has all the downfalls of 98, and throws in several of it's own.

Get XP, it's what I've been using for the last few months. Or even W2k, if you'd prefer. Both are fine for games.

Quarter Pounder Inside

upec · Jan 19, 2002

Just upgrade to Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Both are a lot more sable than Windows 98. I did not have any problem with the games I have.

camieabz · Jan 19, 2002

Is it possible to install W2K over the top of W98SE?

I'd be running W2K as FAT 32.

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

Guest · Jan 19, 2002

Yeah I'd be interested to know if you can do a Win 98 --> Win 2k upgrade as well.

And what about compatibility problems? If I run Win 2k, can I use all my existing 98 software, or will there be a few problems? The reason I still have 98 on my system, alongside Linux, is to guarantee compatibility with virtually any Windows software I need to run, in the event that I can't find a Linux alternative. If Win 2k has significantly reduced compatibility, then it kinda defeats the object of all this...

camieabz · Jan 19, 2002

I believe W2K is as compatible with most software, its just the correct software. Every time I download something I get asked if its for W2K, W98 etc. I think this alone may be our answer. Need to re-load different versions of software for different operating systems.

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

Porkloin · Jan 20, 2002

Dual booting Linux and one of the NT (NT, 2K and XP)O/S's is not as simple as Linux with one of the DOS (95, 98, ME) O/S's. But it can be done. Check this out: http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/RHL-7.2-Manual/install-guide/dualboot-install.html

Sweating like a rancid chunk of pork

Toejam31 · Jan 20, 2002

This link might help explain a few things, and allow you to run with that much RAM:

<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=31277#31277" target="_new">Too much memory?</A>

Toejam31

My Rig: <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=6847" target="_new">Toejam31's Tantalizing Tantric Toy</A>
____________________________________________________________

"Procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."

killall · Jan 20, 2002

id recommend win2k, ive got it running with a gig here, still have to benchmark it to see how it performs against the 512 i had before...

if in doubt blame microsoft...

wapaaga · Jan 20, 2002

what do you maen that is is not as easy it is just as easy the only problem is that you have compile ntfs fileing system suport into the kernel. other than htat is is not different. at one point i was booting between 98 win2k pro, and redhat 7.2

Gasoline + Fire Can be a lot of fun

Guest · Jan 21, 2002

The new memory is probably defective if Windows won't boot. Try testing it by setting the BIOS to do a full memory scan on startup versus a quick test. If that passes, then take out the old good module and try booting Win98 on just the new one. If it won't boot on remaining 512 MB then the new DIMM is probably defective. Take it back for a replacement. Windows 98 will boot on 1024 MB of RAM, but will only use the first 512 MB.

I have heard of people creating large RAM disk in the config.sys as a means to use up the excess memory capacity. You can then create your Windows swap file in the new RAM drive. The last thing you want to do is install Windows XP on an unstable system.

Whatever boots up, must come down!

FatBurger · Jan 22, 2002

98 can be upgraded to W2k, but I always recommend a fresh install. W2k to XP seems to be the exception, since not a whole lot of the kernel has changed.

Never, ever run W2k or XP on a FAT32. It doesn't work very well at all. W2k was designed for NTFS(5), and that's what you should run it on.

Quarter Pounder Inside

camieabz · Jan 22, 2002

Can I have a dual boot with W2K as the second OS as NTFS?

I thought W2K as the second OS had to have part of its kernel loaded onto C: for booting, and therefore it had to be FAT 32.

Also, what games, apps or utilities can I kiss goodbye if I change to NTFS? Any?

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

FatBurger · Jan 22, 2002

I thought W2K as the second OS had to have part of its kernel loaded onto C: for booting, and therefore it had to be FAT 32.

No, I've had W2k on D:, and C: doesn't have to be FAT32.

Also, what games, apps or utilities can I kiss goodbye if I change to NTFS? Any?

I haven't found one yet that didn't work right.

Quarter Pounder InsideEdited by FatBurger on 01/22/02 03:09 PM.

camieabz · Jan 22, 2002

ok. thx.

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

Too much memory making my Athlon crash?

Guest

Guest

Distinguished

Guest

Guest

Distinguished

Illustrious

Distinguished

Splendid

Guest

Guest

Splendid

Distinguished

Distinguished

Distinguished

Distinguished

Guest

Guest

Illustrious

Splendid

Illustrious

Splendid

Share this page