Memory problem

[ffrr]

I bought 2gb DDR 400 / 2700 ram (2X 1gb sticks) for a pc upgrade to replace the existing 256mb module of the same spec.

The pc is a hewlett packard a808.uk desktop, it's pretty old now but still running quite well for what it's needed for. However the new memory only shows up as 32mb in the bios and will only will only register like that in the first DDR slot, the second slot shows as empty with all configurations. The 256mb module works in both slots.

I have upgraded the bios and chipset drivers but there's no difference. I also tried the memory in another PC, an emachines one (it was all I have access to currently) which is running exactly the same memory. The same thing happens, it shows as 32mb.

I tested the memory from the emachines pc in the HP and that worked fine...

Could it simply be incompatible ...or could it be dud?

[ant3b]

incompatible i would think.. if it was dud the memory would not work at all i would think

[BertRoot]

Could be borked. I would try it in a machine that you really know will take it and also ensure that you have bought the right RAM. i.e. have you bought ECC when the machine won't take it etc.

[ffrr]

thanks for the replies...

the memory is low density non ecc, which is what I needed going by the spec's on the HP's website, so I guess it's not compatible with the chipset then... I don't have any boards here with me now that take ddr, I sold them all a few weeks back thinking I would never need them again... typical huh!

I've never in my time building pc's come across this problem. Before I purchased it I read up on it to make 100% sure it was correct as I was not not 100% familiar with it... o well' first time for everything I guess...

[criminalben]

I'd guess you need to get the stuff designed specifically for your PC. Kingston do either KTC-D320/1G or KTH-D530/1G which are guaranteed to work. You're probably looking around £45 - £50 a stick.

[blacksheep]

don't know how you bought ddr400/PC2700 ram as both the first/second part refer to the speed and ddr400 is PC3200 and PC2700 is ddr333. What chip are you running in the machine - it may not accept ddr400 ram? Also maybe check what they ram is