RAM

[Pranav19]

Hi I have currently intel core2duo e4400 2ghz cpu 1gb ram and 1gb nvidia 210 graphics card. I recently started using windows 7 from xp so wanted to upgrade ram. After installing another 1gb the monitor does not display anything though the comp starts. What could be the problem ? The comp starts with single ram, i even tried interchaging the ram in slots still problem persists. The PC is woring fine with 1 gb ram albit slowly. What should i do ?

[CyberKID]

have u tried running the system with using both RAM sticks, 1 stick at a time? This could possibly help you figuring out whether your RAM sticks are good or have gone kaput.
Maybe there's a problem with the RAM slot itself(if everything else is ok).

[Pranav19]

Ya tried running it with both sticks individually. Both are good. Also tried both slots.

[sling-shot]

RAMs are supposed to have incompatibility if not matched perfectly.

1. Are they both the same frequency?
2. Are they both from the same manufacturer?
3. There is some specification called timing or something.

Please check these. The symptoms you describe suggest incompatibility.

[Siddharth_1]

^^sling shot, this doesnt matter. I used 2 diferent types of ram in my old pc, ie. 1 x 512mb 400mhz(transcend) + 1 x 2gb 800mhz(kingston)

[CyberKID]

^ sling-shot's right. There might be some incompatibility. Check the RAM sticks individually using CPU-Z (Memory and SPD tabs). Even if the manufacturers aren't the same, the frequencies should match. RAM (CAS Latency) timings are not much of a hurdle unless you're using a high end overclocker's stick and another a somewhat value stick (you can also change the CAS Latency timings in BIOS in most motherboards.

@Siddharth_1: Strange! haven't heard of this. Possibly your mobo supports both DDR and DDR2 RAM's.

[Pranav19]

I had returned the new stick since it was not working. So i should check my present ram n buy another of same manufacturer and frequency ?

[CyberKID]

manufacturer doesn't matter a lot. check for the RAM type (DDR2 or DDR3) and frequency.

[Pranav19]

Ok . I will check when i get home and reply. It isnt some problem of mobo or anything else? Sorry i am i a noob in hardware matters

[Zangetsu]

Ok . I will check when i get home and reply. It isnt some problem of mobo or anything else? Sorry i am i a noob in hardware matters

if its a problem of RAM slot then no RAM will work on those slots.
sometime it happens that a single slot is faulty.

if both slots r working fine then use another RAM module

[CyberKID]

Ok . I will check when i get home and reply. It isnt some problem of mobo or anything else? Sorry i am i a noob in hardware matters

Can't deny a possibility of a problem with the mobo itself. No need to be sorry, no one's born geek!

[Pranav19]

No both the ram were working in both slots i tried all combinations but they were not working together.

[Zangetsu]

No both the ram were working in both slots i tried all combinations but they were not working together.

Then the clock timings are not synced in both

[CyberKID]

Seems to be a mismatched frequency problem

[Pranav19]

Ok i downloaded cpu-z my current ram is
ddr2
single channel
dram frequency 333mhz
cycle time 15 clocks

[CyberKID]

please post the cpu-z screen shots (Memory+SPD).
Seems to me like DDR2 667 Mhz (PC2-5300). Can't be sure unless cross checked with Max Bandwidth (which shows the Module Name and Frequency) under SPD tab of CPU-Z.

[Pranav19]

here are screenshots

How to upload photos ? lnik from dropbox not working ?. Here is direct link to the folder https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mhdjgp6qazpzsza/bZAYrcTG9a

[CyberKID]

^ use imgur.com

Confirmed! it's the PC2-5300. Try getting yourself a DDR-2 667 MHz stick. Alternatively to be on the safer side, try getting a stick from one of your friends if possible, to check before buying one.

[Pranav19]

OK Thanks a lot.

[CyberKID]

Glad to be of help

[Pranav19]

Can you tell me how much RAM i can put 1GB or will 2 GB stick be compatible. other minor upgrade which can be done
also which one i should go for ?
http://www.flipkart.com/evm-ddr2-1-g...1-ef498ed8bef0

http://www.flipkart.com/transcend-dd...1-ef498ed8bef0

[Zangetsu]

Can you tell me how much RAM i can put 1GB or will 2 GB stick be compatible. other minor upgrade which can be done
also which one i should go for ?

that depends on your motherboard support.

read the mobo manual or check online by finding the mobo model no & brand

[Siddharth_1]

But then how did 2 ram sticks of diff. frequencies(400 and 800mhz) sizes(512mb and 2gb) and from diff. manufacturers(ram from diff. manufacturers not working together makes no sense) worked fine i my pc???

[Zangetsu]

But then how did 2 ram sticks of diff. frequencies(400 and 800mhz) sizes(512mb and 2gb) and from diff. manufacturers(ram from diff. manufacturers not working together makes no sense) worked fine i my pc???

the RAM timings shud match no matter the frequency is 400 or 800Mhz.
in your case the 800Mhz RAM is working at lower frequency of 400Mhz

[CyberKID]

Instead of EVM (never heard of that!) go in for a Kingston one or stick to Transcend. Flipkart's got the 667 MHz Transcend sticks. Try comparing prices with that in the local market. I've found that Flipkart have prices about Rs. 100 or so higher than the local market. Better put in 2GB to be safe for atleast another year. Your system has a 32 bit OS, and 3GB will suffice. I think your system will support almost 8GB of RAM as your PC has an ATX mobo (as evident from the CPU-Z screenshots-your current RAM is in Slot #3)

the RAM timings shud match no matter the frequency is 400 or 800Mhz.
in your case the 800Mhz RAM is working at lower frequency of 400Mhz

Guys! lets not fight over different RAM's working together.
Timings doesn't matter a lot, until and unless you're an extreme overclocker. The RAM's are capable of operating at different frequencies way up till the maximum RAM frequency. The RAM sticks are required to operate at different CAS Latency timings as laid down in the specifications given by JEDEC (Joint Electron Devices Engineering Council), and the RAM sticks change their CAS timings according to their operating frequency.

[sling-shot]

In an ideal world they should. But in the real world there have been many reports of problems related to these things. And the OP has already explained his situation.

So there is no harm in playing safe and getting exact matches.

[d6bmg]

If there are more than one channel present in the board, RAM modules having different timing can be used. Otherwise, if two modules having different timings (not speed) is being used in a same channel, PC won't start at all.

[Pranav19]

What is timing of module ?

[CyberKID]

Memory timings - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia should explain it to you better than anyone

[d6bmg]

What is timing of module ?

In your case, the existing module is of CL5 (i.e. having the timing 5-5-5-15) and with the memory speed of 666MHz.

P.S. See the Wikipedia link.