Did I "unbalance" my computer by adding more memory? Or??

Question

I have a Gateway 3200S Desktop. I had a 256 MB Graphics Card which specs on the label that listed 400 DDR 3200. I bought a 1 GB Graphics Card for $160 whic specs were for the same (3200, DDR, 400, Desktop). I kept the 256 MB, manually installed the 1 GB myself.

Turned on my computer, and the monitor was on, and continued to read the normal "MOnitor Self-Check" message. It did not act as if the CPU was plugged in. I tried another monitor, same case (so it's not the cord or the monitor itself). I tried several times with the first MB ram still in, just one, both, different spots, etc. No change in the monitor. It's been suggested to me since I didn't have 1 GB in 1 spot, and 1 GB in the other, that I unbalanced my computer. No other suggestion has made sense to me.

Do you have any suggestions about how to fix this problem and salvage my cpu? Is it unbalanced now, and if so how to fix?

I didn't mean Graphics Card, I'm sorry. I meant Memory Card.

I already tried removing the new memory card; nothing changed.

That is pretty messed up, telling me not to fiddle with anything since I know enough to cause trouble. I did not touch ANYTHING besides the memory slots, and the memory card. I did not move my graphics card, I did not move wires, I did not touch anything else.

Yes, it is a DDR1, and the CPU is about 2 years old, and both cards are DDR1.

Answer 1

Okay, this is kinda weird. You mention "graphics card," and someone else mentions memory in certain slots. I'm going to go with the assumption that you actually changed system RAM (memory) and not a video card.

Some computers require memory to be installed in a specific way; example: 2 memory sticks of the same speed and capacity must be inserted in slots 1 and 3 (on 4 slot boards). This means it a dual-channel board, and cannot run single-channel (which would allow you to put the memory in any slot).

However, the most likely situation is that either:

1) The memory you first put in did not seat correctly and ended up shorting out the slot (and thus, the motherboard), or
2) The memory you installed was not the proper type (there are both DDR and DDR2, which look almost exactly alike except for the the center notch on the memory sticks are in slightly different spots).

Both possibilities are rather common. Both can also render a motherboard useless.

Answer 2

No, you do not have to have to match memory sizes.

If you were wanting to do Dual Channel memory, then you would have to match them. But the way you have it set up, it should work just fine.

Most likely the issue is that you either did not seat that new memory card properly, or you disconnected something on the inside of the computer when you installed it.

Take the new memory card out and see if the computer works without it.

If it works fine, reinstall that new memory card, making sure that you line up the notch in the card with the slot. The memory card should only be able to fit in the slot one way.

Answer 3

First off, there are different kinds of PC3200 ram. There is ECC, and non ECC. Buffered, and UN buffered. You need to get the numbers off of each of them and look up or do a search for them to see the exact specs of each. Just type the numbers right into Yahoo or Google and read the specs of each. IE, voltage, ECC, buffered. You will need to follow the specs on the original ram you had in i or go to http://www.techdepot.com and look to the left for the memory finder and lookup your computer for the right ram type and the maximum ram your computer will hold.

Answer 4

Fiddle with all the cards, making sure everything is tightly secured especially your Graphics card. Your CPU is fine, the PC would make a continuing beeping sound if its broken or if memory isn't plugged in correctly. Try the old memory to see if it works, if not, get a professional to look at it. And please NEVER fiddle with your PC's interior seeing you know just enough too cause trouble