Member Avatar for somedood

Ok, Im My PC I Have 2 Sticks Of RAM, One Is A 128 PC133 SDRAM @ 133Mhz And The Other One Is A 256 PC133 SDRAM @ 133Mhz:
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But When I Look At The Total, It Shows Only 256MB Are There:
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Again:
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And Also On My BIOS Screen It Only Counts The 256MB RAM Stick As A 128MB RAM Stick. What Gives!

Please I Need Some Help.

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For : a focused troubleshooting checklist and what to collect before you call support. The situation you described (a 256MB DIMM sometimes being seen as 128MB and the total not adding up) is most often caused by one of three things: a faulty DIMM, a motherboard/BIOS that doesn't decode the module's chip density, or a bad DIMM slot. Below are practical, repeatable steps to isolate the cause and useful data to give to tech support.

  1. Power down, unplug, discharge yourself, and remove both sticks.
  2. Put the 256MB stick alone into the motherboard's primary DIMM slot (follow the manual for which slot is primary). Boot to BIOS and note the reported size. Repeat the same test with the 128MB stick alone in the same slot. This tells you whether a stick is broken or a slot is bad.
  3. If the 256MB DIMM is still seen as 128MB when alone, try it in a known-good machine (or ask a friend) to confirm. If it reports correctly elsewhere, the problem is your board/BIOS. If it is wrong everywhere, the DIMM is likely bad and should be RMAed.
  4. If the 256MB is fine alone but wrong when paired, it's a compatibility/timing/density issue. Use a SPD reader (CPU-Z or similar) or check BIOS SPD info to record module part number, manufacturer, SPD-reported capacity and timing values. Run memtest86 (bootable) for a few passes to see errors.

Additional steps: clear CMOS/reset BIOS to defaults and update the BIOS if an update exists for your board. Inspect DIMM contacts and the slot for dirt or bent pins; clean contacts with 90%+ isopropyl if needed. When contacting the manufacturer (Kingston/Crucial or your board maker), provide the DIMM part number, SPD details, exact motherboard model and BIOS version, and memtest results — that speeds diagnosis.

As and noted, slot/order and mixed modules can reveal compatibility limits; the isolation steps above give the concrete evidence needed to decide whether to RMA the stick or adjust the system (BIOS update, replace with a compatible DIMM).

Recommended Answers

All 8 Replies

Member Avatar for somedood

Bump!

Member Avatar for dcc

You might try reversing the modules, some motherboards will want to see the larger module in a specific socket order.

Member Avatar for somedood

tried it, doesnt work.

when sometimes when i do it doesnt recognize the 256 one and says i only got 128mb.

Member Avatar for dcc

Make sure both modules are properly seated.

Member Avatar for Pimp Daddy

Sometimes memory doesn't fully work if the sticks are made by different manufacturers.

Member Avatar for somedood

well there should be a way to fix this?

anyone else have some suggestions.

Member Avatar for dcc

It's hard to tell what is going on here with the scant amount of information you are providing, but it is looking like there is a compatibility issue here. Did Kingstom specifically recomend this module for your motherboard? The older motherboard running on PC100 could underclock PC133 if the specs all matched up, but all it takes is a difference in density to change that. Kingston changed from low to high desity modules without any indication on the modules themselves, I found this out by trying to find compatible modules to a similar motherboard. Call and talk to one of their techs, they will be glad to help, and will be able to determine if you module is compatible or not.

Member Avatar for somedood

ok, ill call em some time and see if they can help, thx for advise.

and well i look at the crucial site to see what type of RAM i need, and it told me and a bought one that had the same specs as the one crucial was recommending for me.

but, ill call kingston.

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