Need help installing RAM

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Crossing_Swords

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Hey everyone, I bought a new 2GB kingston RAM to insert into an old pc. It already has 2 x 1 GB of ram.

When I insert the 2GB; even by itself, it makes a beeping sound and doesn't boot further.

Everything is DDR2 RAM. Can somebody please help me to install this?

Thanks
 
Are you sure that the ram is inserted properly? Both ends clipped in?
If it is, try to move it too the other slot. If it is still not working, there could be a problem with the ram module or it is for some reason not compatible withe motherboard.
 
RoMark said:
Are you sure that the ram is inserted properly? Both ends clipped in?
If it is, try to move it too the other slot. If it is still not working, there could be a problem with the ram module or it is for some reason not compatible withe motherboard.
Click to expand...

Is it possible that a DDR2 module can be compatible and another DDR2 not compatible? Or, is there another reason for it not being compatible, for example dated firmware etc.

Thanks for the reply
 
If you motherboard can't handle 2GB dimm's, only 1GB dimm's, it would be an issue, but I think it would be unlikely on a board that uses DDR2. Some memory brands do not play well on certain motherboard makes/models.
 
RoMark said:
If you motherboard can't handle 2GB dimm's, only 1GB dimm's, it would be an issue, but I think it would be unlikely on a board that uses DDR2. Some memory brands do not play well on certain motherboard makes/models.
Click to expand...

Ahh okay, I will try to find out what is compatible with what. Thanks for the help; much appreciated!
 
I think the odds for faulty ram is higher, than incompatible. It is normally more of an issue on certain laptops.
 
Check the motherboard manual - there are usually detailed instructions regarding RAM suitability and installation.
 
RoMark said:
I think the odds for faulty ram is higher, than incompatible. It is normally more of an issue on certain laptops.
Click to expand...

Do a firmware update on your motherboard before installing the new memory.
 
Might be that the fsb of the mobo is lower than the ram & the ram cant clock down.
You most likely have new 800mhz ram & the mobo might be 533mhz fsb.
Check the old ram to make sure, thats most likely the reason some mobos dont allow the ram to clock down & then it wont work. It happens almost always with 533 boards & sometimes with 667 mobos.
 
I have a stupid Foxxcon motherboard that won't allow me to use the full 1x 2GB DDR2 800 :( It only gives me 1GB of it, no matter what I do and I've already flashed the BIOS with the latest version.

If you're having RAM issues due to different brand & model RAM modules, then first go and make sure that you're using RAM modules with the same speed (eg. DDR2 800), latency (eg. CL5) and voltage (eg. 1.8V).
You're going to have a difficult time if one of those parameters don't match between the different memory modules. The brand and capacity usually doesn't make much of a difference.
 
Just to add to above that on some crappy mobos also helps putting slower module to the first socket.
When I say slower module it applies to the same clock frequency as defined by SPD. I can be read by utilities like CPUID. There are different settings defined for 133MHz, 166MHz and 200MHz.
Memory timing can be adjusted manually in BIOS, not recommended, as when CMOS goes flat, it needs clever technician to get computer booting again....
 
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