I had 256MB on my PC. Installed another 256MB and it tells me that it's still 256MB?

Question

When I go to System Properties nothing changed after I installed the additional 256MB...did I do something wrong? Shouldn't it say 512MB?

Yes, it's the same 256MB.

Ok I switch the old RAM to the slot where the new RAM was not it tells me I only have 384MB it should say 512??

Thanks Daniel L, it works. Turns out I only had 128MB on the old chip. So the new 256MB made it 384MB...seems like I need to go get another 256MB to replace the 128MB. Thanks again :)

Answer 1

Turn the machine off and make certain the memory module is all the way in the socket. Make certain it is in the next socket and that you didn't skip a socket. Then restart the computer.

If that doesn't work then try removing the original module and placing the second module in that slot and starting the machine with only the new module. This will test if the memory module works at all. You might have a bad memory module.

Answer 2

The first thing you must do is make sure that you properly inserted the memory modules their banks. If your system properties still say that you only have 256MB of RAM in your system you must then determine if your motherboard can support your current RAM configuration.

What do I mean by that? Well, your motherboard contains memory banks so that you may insert RAM memory modules. (Like the ones you just try to install) In some cases one memory bank may only be able to house a maximum size memory module or RAM stick. In your particular situation, the motherboard does not recognize your 256MB stick because the bank or slot that it is in does not support that much in ONE bank.

Where do you go from here? Find out the brand and model number of your motherboard. It is usually printed on the motherboard itself. When you have found the brand/model number of your motherboard, look for its manual on the manuafacturer's website. In the manual it should tell you the maximum amount of RAM allowed in one bank and additional memory configurations for that particular motherboard.

It's really not that hard. I expanded the length of this answer for clarity.

Answer 3

A few possibilities. Either the slot is bad (which is rare) or the stick is not seated properly or the stick is bad. Did you check the speed of the stick to make sure they are the same like PC100 or PC133? Remove both sticks and put the new one in by itself and see if it reads the stick. Try the same on both slots - just putting that one stick in.

Answer 4

try booting with one chip at a time make sure they both work

then if they do try booting with them both again at startup when you press the power button it should say something like
system configuration has changed updated your memory settings to 512mb
if not then boot and go into the bios pressing either f10 or delete or f1 or f2 key depending on what computer you have when you first press the power on switch look around inthere to see if you can configure your new memory also check to make sure the memory are both the same speeds (pc100, pc133, ddr etc)
p.s. your cartoon icon is so beautiful my cartoon icon likes it ;-)

Answer 5

the computer is not recognizing the new memory.

Make sure that you have inserted the memory properly in its slot.

Boot into the system bios (press F10, or ESC during bootup) and see if the new memory is detected there.

Answer 6

fine, now remove original 256 mb
> with the new 256 mb in place

...lemme know results plz.
______________________
now that u've progressed some distance,
> please make sure you have the correct type of ram

do you have this piece of information ?

is pc branded or assembled
if branded lemme know make / model plz.
____

i am all the more confused
if you know what i mean

lots of inconsistencies in u'r statements above , plz check

just gimme make model or link 2 u'r puter, plz
else motherboard details
also how many memory slots > 2 or 4 ?

Answer 7

Perhaps the RAM stick isn't seated in the slot properly.

Is it the same exact type of memory?

Answer 8

PC doesn't recongnieze the other board. Either the wrong type or needs to be removed and put it back correctly.

Answer 9

go in and switch places on both memory sticks and make sure they are seated correctly,reboot and then check again

Answer 10

may be the 256 extra mb is taking 256 mb of memory

:-)