Identifying RAM?

Otta, I assume in the boot up instructions you provided, what I need to check "system configuration" information, and then more spefically the references to "bank 0 DRAM type:_____" and "bank 1 DRAM type:____". If my assumption is correct, I now know my memory type. If not, I do have the entire boot up process written down for your evaluation.
Also, if my assumptions IS correct, thank you, is a very small expression of my appreciation. (Once I'm clear on what information you were hoping I'd find, I will be back to offer an appropriate "grade".

> the references to "bank 0 DRAM type:_____" and "bank 1 DRAM type:____".

Exactly what is displayed where you wrote '______' ???

When your computer starts, does it show 'AMI BIOS' or 'AWARD BIOS' ?

Otta, the first line is that of my video card: Diamon Viper then my  Award bios and the system configuration for the bank display reads:  bank 0 DRAM type: SRAM  bank 1 DRAM type: SRAM.  I take this to mean I am NOT using edo...but SRAM.
                     

oops, Otta, first line in boot up is the video card (kinda left that unclear)

why dont you open the computer and look at the motherboard slots...if the memory sticks are in small white slots then chances are it is edo ram ...if its in gold tinted longer slots it is sdram!!    bill

> bank 0 DRAM type: SRAM
> bank 1 DRAM type: SRAM.
> I take this to mean I am NOT using EDO ... but SRAM

Correct. The bank-numbers (0 and 1) are another "clue" -- the Award BIOS will state '0' and '2' when you use 72-pin SIMMs.

> if the memory sticks are in small white slots then chances are it is edo ram ...if its in gold-tinted longer slots it is sdram!!

Not on *MY* computer!!!
The ISA-slots are "black";
the PCI-slots are "white";
the SIMM-slots are "black";
the (unused) DIMM-slot is "black".
All of the slots have gold-coloured contacts "inside" each slot.

> (I have a SIS 5513 motherboard,
> if this information sheds any light)

No, you have a motherboard with a SIS 5513 chipset.  See the picture at:

http://www.magic-pro.com.hk/hardware/586sva.html

for a picture of a motherboard with four 72-pin SIMM slots, and a SIS 5513 chipset.

Since you have an Award BIOS,
what's the long-string which is displayed near the bottom of the screen?
It is displayed while the "RAM test" is running.
Please SHIFT+PAUSE to "freeze" the screen, so that you can use pencil-and-paper to record this string.

Billeng, since I've had my system in a shop and THEY were unable to identify my RAM, I doubt very seriously an examination of the slots....would do so, but thanks for your input.
All this is a word to the wise about custom built systems...make sure you get the ALL the specs for the EACH piece of hardware!

Otta, will get back to you regarding the string.

Otta, the string reads: 02/16/98-SiS5571 2AIHJAC-00

And as further explanation to my "shop" comment, in attempts to upgrade to 128mb of RAM,  the tech who looked at it
first said it would take any type of DIMMS 32,64 or 128. I ok'd the installationof 2 64mb  and then the tech said, and I quote
 "I was wrong about the RAM. Unit has non intel chipset will not take more then 16mb of ram per bank. 64mb DIMMS have 1 bank of 64mb. They will not work."

At the present I have two RAM chips installed of 32mb each or a total of 64mb.  And I am still wanting to upgrade to 128mb or two 64mb chips. That is the reasoning behind my original question.
My assumption at this point is buy two 64mb SRAM put them in the slots where my present 32's are and I should have the memory upgrade I want.
Any additional input you can offer regarding my goal to upgrade is appreciated !  

otta i humbly beg your forgivness for my blatant stupidity and ignorance as regards sdram...Look forward to learning from a master!!!

Ladykath you wont believe this but i have the same system and am trying to do the very same upgrade with sdram!!
if you have any sucess please mail me..
at billeng@oceanfree.net



Bill

See:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/qShow.jsp?ta=hardgen&qid=10256506 
for somebody with the same BIOS-ID-string.

See: http://www.j-mark.com/Product/mboard.html
for motherboards made by "Jetway" (who made your motherboard).

See: http://www.j-mark.com/dl/dl.html
for updated BIOSes and downloadable manuals.


Your current DIMMs seem to be 32MB each, namely two 16MB "banks".

I presume that the technician test-installed two 64MB "single-bank" DIMMs, and found that your computer only detected 16MB per DIMM, and then told you "I was wrong".

Did the technician try one 128MB DIMM?

Otta, I never quite got a straight answer about what was tried. I was simply told to bring in the specs for my motherboard and that I did had a non Intel chipset.  
I myself had tried two 64mb PC100 ram but the system recogonized only 32 of the 128 so I knew it was time for the shop to take a look at it and then i still got no where.

Otta, an education please, how did you identify the brand of motherboard I have? This education can prove invaluable over time.

Otta, I wanted to let you know, I educated myself and found out how to ID the motherboard. Now all I need is to run down specs and found out the tech's "non-intel chipset" comment. I think we've gone about as far as we can, unless you can have any other insightful comments regarding the memory. Thanks again!

> how did you identify the brand of motherboard?

Wim's BIOS page:

http://WWW.PING.BE/bios/

is the source I used -- there are others.

Otta, here is the websight I used to identify the motherboard and the chipset as well. They have two programs you can download and run that will identify motherboard, manufacturer and do the same with the bios. http://www.sysopt.com/mboard.html

Also I wrote the manufacturer of my board, supplied them with the Award Bios ID and today had an email advising me of the RAM configuration i need to use. Without your help I would not have found all this information!  So you may know and perhaps Bill is reading this as well:
It seems the specifications are different for my SDRAM modules.  The specification is 4mb x 4bit x 16 x double sided with  4 banks to a single module.  While newer SDRAM has 1 bank for a single module and this is why my system was only able to detect 32mgb with the memory I originally tried the upgrade with.