PC Crashed again with alarming message

[David]

  WOW Thanks Les 

[David]

This one states 512 MB very odd,and this is flying along I know its faster but still odd
When I go to the My computer it reads 1 GB
When I use the support it reads 512 MB
SIW 512 MB

Yet it really is steaming along and very stable weird


Just checked again and system properties state 1 GB
Support XP states 512 detected

Which is correct the plot thickens
will check BIOS

Maximum Memory Capacity:  2048 MB
Currently Installed Memory:  512 MB
Available Memory Slots:  2
Number of Banks:  4
Dual Channel Support:   N.A.
CPU Manufacturer:  GenuineIntel
CPU Family:   Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz Model 4, Stepping 7
CPU Speed:  2793 MHz

Im now wondering what I have put in this machine would the label give any clues the ones I took out state 512 MB DDR 2
what should be on the new ones ?

[Sebby]

If the system properties state 1GB, it's 1GB.

[David]

I thought well I am confused so I have just put the original memory in and got on the XP windows info now showing IGB
On properties showing 1 GB

On looking at the modules guess what they look the same 512 MB each module Think I had better get back onto crucial......at least I will always know how to fit RAM had a good lesson

[Sebby]

I've got to say I'm very confused, David. I thought you had 512MB originally (2 x 256MB), and now you have 1GB (2 x 512MB)?

[Simon]

How many memory slots have you got, David and which slots have you installed the modules in?  I think it does matter, but could depend on your motherboard as to which slots the modules should be installed in.

[David]

Im really confused Sebby I have just Emailed Crucial,,The original modules were not ordered until Crucial had run the details I Emailed them.scanner couldn't pick up my pc so to  be safe I sent them the details of the make and all the things they wanted.Based on this information and the modules they said they had located for me I duly paid for them and awaited their arrival which as you know was last Saturday.These were wrong,back they went.When I telephoned we went through it all again on the phone and the price difference met etc.Now today these are correct,they fit. but when I read Les post I followed it and then SIW and it wasn't working out and I was confused enough to take out the ones which arrived today and replace with my old ones.My old ones do read 1GB so I looked and compared the labels and they are the same.512 MB

It certainly appears that there is no increase in RAM after all.I think the original order should have been 2 GB and not one,ignoring the wrong modules sent.the error seems to have been on what this machine had on it in the first place and this was based on Crucial s Email to me.

I have Emailed them and asked them to clarify what they have sent me and as my initial request was to double existing RAM I thought that is what they were sending me..........

[David]

How many memory slots have you got, David and which slots have you installed the modules in?  I think it does matter, but could depend on your motherboard as to which slots the modules should be installed in.

2 Simon and I feel I know them intimately. so originally 512 in each...asked to double RAM and you know the rest.......I dont think they have doubled the RAM I think they have duplicated it....despite the Emails and the phone call...
If this is the case for once it is not my error..

[Simon]

OK, so you can't have installed them wrongly, and as it now seems, you've got two RAM modules the same as you had before, but these were supposed to be 1Gb each, and Crucial sent the wrong ones, yes?

[David]

Yes Simon what should 1 GB are not they are 512 MB


Just found their original Email to me stating I have 512 MB installed and to order (link) and thats all I have done so 2 errors now.........................and not mine

[David]

Just sent them their original Email and advised they have in fact sent me what I already have and not the 1GB which they said in the first place.......roll on next week......

[David]

Good work David, 

Here is another way to get an overview of what you computer build is.
Use:
Start -> Help and Support -> Use Tools to view your computer information ...... -> My Computer Information -> View general system information about this computer

Using this route in XP should show you a picture like the one I have attached below.

Thanks Les if I hadn't carried out that check I may have not discovered this 

[vitriol]

Hi David,

Here is a little uility that will give you information about your CPU, Motherboard, Memory etc...

[Sebby]

It sounds like there's been some confusion. You wanted 2 x 1GB, but Crucial must have interpreted it as 1GB in total.

[David]

Thanks Vitriol.I can see where they have gone wrong.They asked me to send the label off the modules I already have to make sure they (crucial) were correct) I had passed these over on the phone and what they appear to have done is got the correct module as they indeed fit perfectly but they have just duplicated and not sent the required RAM ie 2 x 1 GB modules.....


Next week gets better Im changing a plug on the toaster 

Worse things happen at sea I guess

[David]

It sounds like there's been some confusion. You wanted 2 x 1GB, but Crucial must have interpreted it as 1GB in total.

Yes Sebby,but this must lay at their feet not mine as they Emailed me my machines spec,(stated earlier)so my ignorance and crossed wires that end has caused this.but I did say on the phone 

Never mind give me something to look forward to.....think I may go to the shop next time and physically see the item so this wont happen again

[Dangerjunkie]

I know this is a pain in the rear but I think one good thing has come out of it: Since your machine is now running noticeably faster with the same amount of RAM it used to have I think you've pretty much proved there's something wrong with one or both of the old modules and fixed it.

Am I right this machine is a Packard Bell? If so then this wouldn't be the first time I've seen one of their machines where the official spec said the machine had a certain amount of RAM as standard but the actual machine had a different amount. This could be the part of misunderstanding if Crucial read the PB gumph and and it said the machine should have 512MB total.

Cheers,
Paul.

[Rik]

I'm getting confused, David. Unless we're on a different machine, back here you said you had 512k on the machine.

[Sebby]

Me too!

[Dangerjunkie]

What is the make and the part number off the original sticks please?

[Rik]

That I can't give you, Paul, but in the thread referenced above, David said:

Currently installed memory:



  256MBDDR PC2700  256MBDDR PC2700

Each memory slot can hold DDR PC2700,DDR PC3200 with a maximum of 1GB per slot.*



*Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory.

[Sebby]

So it seems you had 512MB before, and 1GB now, David.

[David]

I'm getting confused, David. Unless we're on a different machine, back here you said you had 512k on the machine.

I can see why Rik we are indeed on a different machine.when this thread started I was talking about the machine upstairs but decided in the light of the ease of upgrading to us the information on my PB desktop.

The spec sent to Crucial was for this machine and nothing to do with the original pc so I was using the knowledge gained to double the RAM on another machine.
Hope this clears this point up...

[Simon]

Are you sure you sent Crucial the details of the right machine, David? 

[David]

What is the make and the part number off the original sticks please?

Already installed was Micron 8HTF6464AY/53ED7
DDR 2 533 cl4

2 512 x 2 sticks