[Morporkian]

Hi
I got a RAM issue and was wondering whether someone could help.

I got a Athlon 1.35ghz processor in a EPoX mobo, currently running with 768Meg of RAM (1x 512 & 1x256).
I just bought 2 x 1G sticks of RAM (PC2700 DDR SDRAM 128Mx64) but when I boot up with the new RAM it does the memory test OK then just freezes up

The following is from my mobo manual :-
Supports up to 3.0GB of 200/266/333/400MHz DDR SDRAM: Supports up to 3 DDR DIMMS: Supports 64/128/256/512Mb, 1Gbx8 & x16 DRAMS: Supports 128-bit dual channel memory architecture.

So basically, I'm asking does that sound compatible? (I've tried replacements sticks of the new ram with the same problem, so doesn't look like the RAM is duff!)

Thanks in advance for any help!

[SocialWarfare]

Try changing the ram around in the slots, I would say that is probably the issue, maybe 1+3, 1+2, 2+3

Also what ram(speed) was in it prior to the 2gigs?
With the epox you should be able to go into the bios(pressing F8) and set the ram to 333

[Morporkian]

Thanks for the prompt reply.
Tried every combination in the slots. If I put the old 512 in with one of the new 2Gigs, it gets to the windows loading screen then reboots and the memory check doesn't appear on the startup screen!

The 512Mb stick is PC2100 400MHz. Could it be that it just needs changing in the BIOS? Never thought to check that (have never altered it before when installing new RAM)

[SocialWarfare]

Um see PC2100 is 266MHZ, so in other words you have the PC2100 running at 333MHZ which could be the the problem or visa versa, check the bios

[Morporkian]

The PC2100 is the old ram, which worked fine. Should the new PC2700 ram be running at 333?

[SocialWarfare]

Yep just have the 2gigs in and go into the bios and set the ram at 333, hopefully that will
fix it

Edit: do you know the exact model of your motherboard?

[Morporkian]

Nope still no good. The only way I can get to even the bios setup screen is by using my 512MB stick (sorry it's PC3200 not 2100 like I said) in the 'primary slot' and one of the new 2Gig sticks in the other. The speed was at 333MHz. When windows tries to load it reboots itself then reloads, get to the 'windows needs to check one of your disks for consistency' screen and locks up part way through! This happens with all 4 new sticks (I thought the RAM was faulty initially, so the ebay shop I bought them off sent 2 more). I'm really startin to get hacked off!

The mobo is an Epox 8RDA+

[SocialWarfare]

You could try resetting the cmos, its the little yellow jumper
make sure all power is disconnected from your pc, then move the little jumper over so that it is connected to the 2 pins closest to the right(in pic)
Leave it like that for a few seconds and then put it back to its original position
And now try booting with the new RAM

[Morporkian]

Already done that. Looks like I'm stuck with my old 768 meg RAM!
Thanks for your help though SocialWarfare.

[SocialWarfare]

No problem, im sorry I couldn't be of more help to you, but if I think of something I will let you know