I've got a Gigabyte GA-7VT600(L) motherboard which takes 3 x 1GB PC3200 DIMMS.

I currently only have one 512MB DIMM so I bought a 1GB PC3200 from Ebuyer. Unfortunately, it doesn't work and only reports in POST as 512MB.

The BIOS screens don't stop, but as soon as Windows XP tries to load there is a brief (unreadable) BSOD and the machine either hangs or restarts.

I have tried the new 1GB DIMM with and without the original 512MB and in each of the three slots - always with the same result.

Does anyone have any ideas on what could be wrong? I've emailled Ebuyer, but they usually take days to respond. In the meantime, is there any diagnostic I can do to find the cause of the problem? If it is faulty memory, I wouldn't mund a replacement but, if it's incompatible I might just end up with the same problemm. It's unbuffered non-registered non-ecc PC3200.

Any help or advice greatly appreciated.

I tried the scan from this forum and it gives (with my good memory):
---------------------------------------
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional|C:\WINDOWS|\Device\Harddisk0\Partitio n1
Service Pack 2.0
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS

Processor:
PropertyValue
Current Clock Speed 1919
Description x86 Family 6 Model 10 Stepping 0
Manufacturer AuthenticAMD
Name AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2600+

Memory (RAM):
PropertyValue
Bank Label Bank0/1
Capacity 536870912

Bank Label Bank4/5
Capacity 268435456

Total Memory Deteced in Hardware: ~768 MB
Memory Reported to Operating System: 511MB
---------------------------------------

I notice that it thinks I've got 256MB in Banks 4/5 - is this the video RAM it's reading as I only have one DIMM in place.

Many thanks,

RayD

It's worth connecting to crucial and get it to scan.

It will tell you what memory you have, and what can be fitted.

or enter you MB details etc .

http://www.crucial.com/uk/

Thanks Fingees, but I had already done that. Unfortunately, Crucial don't don't quite get it right.

What I think has happened is that the DIMM I have bought is high density, although it isn't specified on Ebuyer's listing. My Gigabyte MB must require low density.

The problem now is working out what advertised 1GB DIMMs are low density when it's not actually mentioned in the spec. I know they have to be 16 chip DIMMs, but you invariably only get to see one side of the DIMM in the advert picture.

Cheers,

Ray D

ebuyer will get back to you..........eventualy.

I'd be careful what you do with it, if it's faulty it will be replaced I've had problems with RAM before now and had it replaced but they like to have it to test it

I have had the same problem. bought 1gb of ddr400 ram and it was high density. i could not even get the bloody machine to realise that i had a monitor plugged in.

sold that one on ebay and bought low density ram with copper cooling plates and its beautiful now!

Yes, I've bought another - guaranteed low density this time - on Ebay and it works fine.

I've sent the original back to Ebuyer for a refund.

Cheers,

Ray D