How do I troubleshoot newly installed memory?

Upgrading RAM from 32 to 64 or more. I bought 2 32 chips (simms). They do not register.

This question was answered on February 24, 2002. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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You did not provide very much information regarding your problem You didn't say how you know the memory is not recognized I can still give you some things to check:

First, remove each SIMM and then re-seat it into the first slots, making sure each one is seated firmly and evenly in the slot, without using excessive force or pressure (The slots are numbered on the mother board) Then boot your computer and watch the boot screen to see how much memory is recognized If it is still not recognizing the new memory, you will need to shut it down again, but first allow Windows to load completely, then you can shut down using the Start button.

<> Make sure pin 1 on the SIMM is lined up with pin 1 of the slot (A notch on the bottom of the SIMM, marks the pin 1 side).

<> Jumpers on the mother board may need to be changed (most boards don't need this, but some do) This information should be in the documentation that came with the computer If it's not available, many manufacturers of system boards have websites with product info.

<> Make sure the SIMMs are the right parity for your system board (This will also be in the documentation that came with the PC or make sure the new SIMMs are the same as the SIMM that came with the PC You can't mix parity (odd # of chips on the module) and non-parity (even # of chips on the module).

<> Make sure the SIMMs you installed are the right capacity and in the right banks (If a bank is 4 SIMM slots, and you add 2 SIMMs to that bank, you'll most likely get an error message You need to add 2 more of the same capacity or remove the 2 you added).

<> Make sure the speed of the new memory is as fast, or faster, than the memory in the PC On the chips, there will be a number followed by -##, which is the speed You have a Pentium, which should run at 60 or 70 nanoseconds (6 or 60 = 60 nanoseconds, 7 or 70 = 70 nanoseconds)

<> Your computer may only be able to handle a certain amount of memory, and only in a certain configuration For example, some computers can use four 4MB SIMMs and three 8MB SIMMs for a total of 64MB Another computer may require eight 8MB SIMMs to get the job done.

The SIMMs or the SIMM slots may be bad and not be functioning right(this is not likely, but it's possible).

There are many helpful websites that can give you more detailed info and step-by-step instruction on just about anything Here are a few sites that I have found helpful:

http://support.microsoft.com www.computerproblems.com http://computers.lycos.com http://www.webtechgeek.com

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Posted by Debbi of Chandler-Gilbert Community College on February 24, 2002

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