Why doesn't my computer recognize the new ram I put into it?

Question

it is a compaq presario 6400nx i put two 512mb ddr pc2100 sticks into it, the computer, bios and in windows, only sees 512 mb, not the 1 gb i put in, i have tried moving the sticks around and updating the bios, is there anything else i can do?

Answer 1

The ram is compatible and the correct speed so you're good there. Am I correct in reading that you are only seeing 1 stick of both memory sticks you inserted?

If it doesn't see both no matter where the position, it could be bad ram. Try starting the system with just one inserted at a time and see what happens.

I looked up your system specs and see you can only have 1G max so that is how I was deducing information. http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/modelsinfo.asp?id=1&SysID=13773&mfr=HP%2FCompaq&model=Presario+6400NX%2F6410NX&root=us&LinkBack=&Sys=13773-HP%2FCompaq-Presario+6400NX%2F6410NX&distributor=0&submit1=Search

Answer 2

Check your system manual. It might not take high density RAM or there is some other compatability issue making the system see the sticks as 256M each. Your system may simply not see sticks above 256M each period.
If you have a system board manual, check the manual.
If you just aren't sure, take the machine to the shop and tell them what capacity you want to upgrade it to. Many shops won't even charge you for the installation to make the sale on the RAM.
Even if they do charge you, at least if something goes wrong later, you have some recourse whereas you don't if you install it yourself.

Answer 3

It sounds like the RAM is matching so it should be O.K.

I wonder If your second slot is O.K. Rock the RAM in the second slot a bit & try. Remove it & reseat it again. While you have it out shine a light in the slot & see if there is any debris in in.

If you can't get them to work see if you can exchange the two 512mb for a single 1 gb.

Answer 4

could desire to be your CPU or motherboard (chipset), everywhere the memory controller is placed, and your OS. in case you look on Intel's internet site for their modern-day CPU specifications, you will see there's a 32 GB mem. decrease. Intel CPU's have integrated mem. controllers, so the decrease is residing on the CPU. The 32 GB decrease is in all possibility based on the bus length of the component-to-component hyperlink between the CPU and the DIMM slots. additionally, the motherboards have limits. the glaring one is the form of DIMM slots (2-6). ultimately, if the OS is 32-bit it could purely address 2^32 bytes, even although the bus to memory could be bigger than 32 bits. domicile windows XP 32-bit is constrained to 4 GB memory, mutually as linux 32-bit has extensions to workaround this impediment.

Answer 5

your system may not support the extra ram. or the system may require a specific brand and configuration of ram and the two chips should be a matched pair (twins) to work properly. or you may simply need to find the instruction manual for your motherboard and adjust a few jumpers and or reconfigure the BIOS.
In any event you are best advised to contact compaq direct for the exact details of what the problem may be.

Answer 6

You probably have chosen the wrong RAM for the machine or simply is not compatible with it. Sometimes, you may get "bad" sticks of RAM. So, take them back and try a different brand and make sure it's compatible with your machine.

Answer 7

there are two options
1. The RAM speed and type is incompatible with your motherboard
2. It is not installed properly

Answer 8

I checked the memory upgrade data and you do have the correct RAMM . I don't understand why it's not recognizing it. Very puzzling. Usually your PC will automaticly recognize a new stick. You need to take it in and have it checked.

Answer 9

just confirm the speed ratings making sure the second is identical to the first