Solve : DDR2 RAM and Illogical MoBos?

1.	Solve : DDR2 RAM and Illogical MoBos?
Answer» I recently entered the FAST-paced world of DDR2 RAM, but that's not my issue. My MoBo, built by a well known manufacturer (rhymes with my handle) has four memory slots. For convenience, I will use the following ACTUAL layout: a b c d When I purchased it used, it came with a 256 mb DDR2 RAM module (240 PIN) PC3200 installed in slot a above. Figuring I couldn't run much beyond the OS with this little memory, I went out and finally found a matched pair of cards, each 512 mb PC4800 (they are still relatively hard to find). Now I ask, where in the above slots would you put them? Assume I'm gonna reuse the 256 mb for the time being. Well, we know the original was in a, so 1 card goes in there. Now the second? How many of you answered slot b (like I did)? I did, and I put the 256 mb card in slot c. I fire up the PC and a cursory look at BIOS tells me I now have nearly 1300 mb RAM. Fine and good. The machine is fast anyway, but now I can do all the multitasking I've dreamed about. Some weeks later, without any problems, I test the RAM with CheckIt and lo and behold, RAM fails every test! It turns out that: a =1, b=3, c=2, d=4 and I have installed them illogically as: 512 256 512 empty. My MoBo doesn't like that. It wants pairs in a & c and b & d. I think I know the reason now, but what a way to lay out a board! The reason? What do you think? DellA= 512 C= 512 D= 256 patio. A= 512 C= 512 D= 256 patio. Did the manual not make any mentioning of how to install the memory?Quote Did the manual not make any mentioning of how to install the memory? Actually, no. The processor/chipset supports both DDR and DDR2 RAM. The original MoBo was designed for DDR, then they changed to DDR2. Anything I could find on the board (at the time) didn't show the layout and I didn't get any documentation with the used system. I'm in the process of downloading the latest info, maybe they have it now. Quote A= 512 C= 512 D= 256 Almost. What works though is a=512 c=512 b=256 d=empty Again, I only mention this because it seems illogical to me. But, I'm an old goat with bad habits. DellFine Dell, have it your way... Mom liked you best. ! LOL patio.

Answer»

I recently entered the FAST-paced world of DDR2 RAM, but that's not my issue.

My MoBo, built by a well known manufacturer (rhymes with my handle) has four memory slots. For convenience, I will use the following ACTUAL layout:
a b c d

When I purchased it used, it came with a 256 mb DDR2 RAM module (240 PIN) PC3200 installed in slot a above.

Figuring I couldn't run much beyond the OS with this little memory, I went out and finally found a matched pair of cards, each 512 mb PC4800 (they are still relatively hard to find).
Now I ask, where in the above slots would you put them? Assume I'm gonna reuse the 256 mb for the time being.

Well, we know the original was in a, so 1 card goes in there. Now the second?
How many of you answered slot b (like I did)? I did, and I put the 256 mb card in slot c.

I fire up the PC and a cursory look at BIOS tells me I now have nearly 1300 mb RAM. Fine and good. The machine is fast anyway, but now I can do all the multitasking I've dreamed about.

Some weeks later, without any problems, I test the RAM with CheckIt and lo and behold, RAM fails every test!

It turns out that: a =1, b=3, c=2, d=4 and I have installed them illogically as: 512 256 512 empty. My MoBo doesn't like that. It wants pairs in a & c and b & d.
I think I know the reason now, but what a way to lay out a board!
The reason? What do you think?

DellA= 512
C= 512
D= 256

patio. A= 512
C= 512
D= 256

patio. Did the manual not make any mentioning of how to install the memory?Quote

Did the manual not make any mentioning of how to install the memory?

Actually, no. The processor/chipset supports both DDR and DDR2 RAM. The original MoBo was designed for DDR, then they changed to DDR2. Anything I could find on the board (at the time) didn't show the layout and I didn't get any documentation with the used system.

I'm in the process of downloading the latest info, maybe they have it now.

Quote

A= 512
C= 512
D= 256

Almost. What works though is
a=512
c=512
b=256
d=empty

Again, I only mention this because it seems illogical to me. But, I'm an old goat with bad habits.

DellFine Dell, have it your way...

Mom liked you best. !

LOL
patio.

Solve : DDR2 RAM and Illogical MoBos?

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