RAM Not Detected

[seafoodsoop]

I've got an old and slow HP Pavilion 501n that I'm trying to get functioning to donate to one of my boss' relatives. I know it'd be cheap and easy to get a new and much better PC than this for web browsing, but this was sitting around the office and what the boss says goes!

Anyways, the thing has 128mb of RAM, which pretty much kills Windows XP. I picked up a stick of 512mb PC133 memory and stuck it in, but the computer doesn't detect it. I tried sticking the memory in another PC we have sitting around here and it worked just fine. I've tried both slots with no luck.

If the 512mb stick is in alone, I get the no-memory beep code. If I put the 512mb stick in with the 128mb stick, the system works just fine, it just can't detect the 512mb stick and acts like it's not even in there.

Anyone know what could be happening here or how I can fix this? I'm totally lost.

 

[ghidu]

when you say another PC, do you mean a simillar PC (maybe same mobo?). If not than probably the memory is not combatible. Did you try a 128-267 module?

 

[tkistre]

If the stick of 512mb is new, it may very likely be high density memory. Alot of older motherboards will not accept high density memory, only lower density. Unfortunately, the memory will not state which kind it is. I do know that some of the sticks of memory that only have half size chips and less amount of chips are high density. When installed in a motherboard that does not support them, it may not see it, may see it but only state half the size (calls 256mb a 128mb) or may not allow motherboard to boot. Not sure this is your problem, but possible.

It also may be like ghidu said, and just not compatible. I have a 512mb DDR 333mhz stick at home that will not work in two of my computers, but will work in any other computer I put it in.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

According to HP your machine can use a maximum of 512 Gb pc100 ram (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/docu...n&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&docname=bph07369) I found some ram for you here http://www.memoryx.net/hewpacpav50m3.html I don't know anything about the company so, I can't reccomend them to you.

 

[furballi]

Just tell the asshole supervisor that you dropped the PC during transportation. The MB is cracked. End of discussion.