Member Avatar for AlphaMac

Hello members,
I am trying to upgrade my RAM on my computer and am having problems. It orginally had a stick of DDR 512MB PC2100 and an empty slot. I took out that stick and inserted a DDR 1GB PC3200 that I had purchased. After doing so, Windows Vista did not load and I received error messages saying I should load in safe mode (which didn't work) and telling me to perform a Memory Diagnostics Test (which didn't say anything).

My PC Info:
-It can hold a max of 1GB RAM (which is why I didn't insert the new 1GB stick into the empty slot)
-GPU is upgraded to NVIDIA FX5500 128MB DDR
Here's the original specs from HP:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&objectID=bph07908

Thanks
-AlphaMac

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by caperjack
Member Avatar for caperjack

the specs show it take pc2100 or pc1600 ,so unless you pc3200 is backward compatible[some of the no name stuff isn't] it will not work ,

Member Avatar for AlphaMac

the specs show it take pc2100 or pc1600 ,so unless you pc3200 is backward compatible[some of the no name stuff isn't] it will not work ,

The auction said it was backwards compatible though its a noname brand. I had overlooked the part where it said it won't work on Intel based systems (I have a Pentium 4) as I didn't know processor brands were a factor in compatability. Here's the RAM I purchased. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:31&item=150124299561

Member Avatar for caperjack

The auction said it was backwards compatible though its a noname brand. I had overlooked the part where it said it won't work on Intel based systems (I have a Pentium 4) as I didn't know processor brands were a factor in computability. Here's the RAM I purchased. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:31&item=150124299561

first it has nothing to do with the processor[p4]its you motherboard that it may not be compatible with , it wasn't compatible with the sellers board either.
Reading a little further in the ebay sale ,it says its not compatible with lintel based boards ,that is what your Compaq has in it.intel 845G chip set .


from ebay site
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

* System must be able to use 1GB DDR Modules
* System/board must not be an Intel based board, Asus board, or an Nvidia chipset
* Compatible with most AMD systems (check with manufacturer before bidding) including IBM, Microstar, Gigabyte, Abit, DFI, ECS, Biostar, PCCHIPS, EPOX, Chaintech, and more.

Member Avatar for AlphaMac

Good to know - thanks

Member Avatar for caperjack

Good to know - thanks

Your welcome

Member Avatar for Recess

Hi there,

I just stumbled onto this thread and forum because I'm currently going through EXACTLY the same thing. Rather than start a new thread, I'm tagging onto this one, I hope that's ok.

I've got a Pavilion 780 (HP) desktop, which had 2x256 2100 266Mhz ram 'sticks' in it. I bought 2 x 1Gb 3200 400Mhz sticks on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230126749481&rd=1&rd=1

And when I put them in, the system won't start. Nothing on screen, no beeps, only the sound of the fans whirring (not even the HD starting up). Take 'em out, put in the 256 stuff, and it's fine.

The listing says it's backwards compatible stuff, but it's not working in there. I wondered if it was a Bios thing, but as the 780 doesn't have a bios upgrade, that's hopefully not the issue. The listing doesn't say anything about incompatability with Intel - but can anyone think of anything else?

Thanks in advance.

John

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