aclaus225
asked on
compaq machine does not recognize memory
I have a compaq sr2050 that allows 2 gb of memory to be installed but will only recognize one bank not both banks of memory. Either 1gb chip works in either slot but when both slots are used only one is recognized. I upgraded the BIOS but that didn't seem to do anything.
ASKER
They are both pc2 4200 sticks.
What happens when you install both sticks? Will the machine even boot? If so, have you checked in the bios to see if both sticks are at least visible there when installed? Not sure if you are saying the OS or the bios doesn't recognize both. Please clarify.
Different brands?
http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f210/ram-wont-work-with-both-slots-together-543163.html
http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f210/ram-wont-work-with-both-slots-together-543163.html
Not uncommon for RAM of different brand/specs not to be compatible.It is advisable to install RAM in matched pairs.
ASKER
The BIOS and Windows do not detect both sticks. They are different providers as one came with the machine and the other was purchased at memory stock recently. The machine does boot when both sticks are installed but only recognizes the older stick when both are installed.
I would lean towards different chipset achitecture on the sticks. Try finding one that matches 1 or the other.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
If one is detected, and the other is not detected in any of the slots, it means the stick is bad. Change the memory stick.
Similar memory sticks are preferred but not a necessity.
Good Luck !!
Similar memory sticks are preferred but not a necessity.
Good Luck !!
ASKER
No I can see one or the other in either slot but they do not detect together.
I agree that the memory SPD settings are probably different on the two sticks. So even if they both were seen, the machine would probably not run in DDR mode so you would not be getting the real benefit.
Your best bet is to get two identical sticks. The machine will run much faster when in DDR mode.
If you are interested, you can use this free program (Everest Home Edition) to examine the memory SPD settings (as well as many other things):
http://www.oldversion.com/download-Everest-Home-Edition-2.20.405.html
Your best bet is to get two identical sticks. The machine will run much faster when in DDR mode.
If you are interested, you can use this free program (Everest Home Edition) to examine the memory SPD settings (as well as many other things):
http://www.oldversion.com/download-Everest-Home-Edition-2.20.405.html
Looks like it should take 2 1G (PC2-4200 DDR2) SDRAM DIMMs
http://www.memorystock.com/memory/CompaqPresarioSR2050NX.html
Maximum Memory 2.0 GB
Memory Expansion 2 sockets
Memory Comments PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM DIMMs. Supports Dual Channel DDR2.