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coderlen

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Cannot increase RAM above 256 MB.

OS: Windows XP Home
CPU: 1.60 gigahertz AMD Athlon 64
System Board: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. K8M800-8237 Version 2.0
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: Award Software International, Inc. FB 07/21/2005
RAM: 256 MB Infineon SDRAM PC2100 DDR,266,CL2,ECC,REG
CD-ROM drive: LG HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4167B

I am trying to increase the RAM on my computer. It currently has 256 MB, and I want to increase it to 512 MB. I have 2 identical RAM modules, 256 MB Infineon SDRAM PC2100 DDR,266,CL2,ECC,REG RAM modules.

I can install either one in the RAM slot, and the computer boots up just fine. But when I install both modules, the computer beeps with a long beep and does not boot up.

What can I do to enable the motherboard or BIOS to allow 512 MB of RAM? Thanks.
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willcomp
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coderlen

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willcomp,

While I was waiting for your response, I tried updating the BIOS from the Gigabyte site. That took awhile and didn't make any difference at all. But at least I have an updated BIOS now.

Then I tried messing with the memory modules. You were right on! I changed out one of the ECC (Error Code Checking) modules with another, which I think was NON-ECC, but still the long beep, probably due to the mix of ECC AND NON-ECC modules.. Then I swapped out the ECC with another NON-ECC, and it worked!

I appreciate your research on the GIgabyte site, and reading the specs for this motherboard. I had not thought to check the specs with this particular type of memory (ECC).

Thanks so much for your timely help.
You're welcome.  I'm rather familar with Gigabyte mobos and chipsets in general, just wanted to be sure --> better safe than sorry.

Registered ECC memory is primarily used in servers.  Registering allows for larger amounts of installed RAM and ECC (error correcting code) reduces read and write errors.
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@willcomp,

I didn't have a dog in this fight, but was monitoring.
Nice work - and I 'cut and pasted' as appropriate.
:)
Vic
@Vic
Thanks for the compliment.