Help Desperately Needed! RAM Problem

[TheHans]

Hi,

We have some neighbours who aren't techy in the least who have virtually no RAM in their computer. The computer ran totally slow, which was clearly because they only had 128mg of RAM. We kindly offered to install some for them as we've done this before many times. We got it from Tiger Direct. It's DDR 266 PC 2100 Viking brand (I think it's Viking anyway). This is the correct RAM for the computer, as we took the information off the stick of 128mb. of RAM already in the computer.

They have an Athlon 1800 with two RAM slots.

If we put the new RAM in by itself, the computer loaded, at least it appeared to, but their monitor wouldn't go on, it only stayed on standby. It didn't matter if the new RAM was in the first or second slot.

If we put the old RAM in the first slot and the new RAM in the second slot, the monitor would go on and the computer would load to a point, but then it would shut down and restart. It kept doing this perpetually.

With the new RAM in the first slot and the old RAM in the second slot, the monitor wouldn't go on.

As far as we could tell, the computer was loading somehow even when the monitor was on standby. Actually, we didn't even know that RAM could affect the monitor so specifically.

We thought possibly the RAM was defective, but we discovered through some circumstance that their LG 700S monitor had never been installed properly. In fact, Windows was simply reading it as the "default monitor."

We thought possibly the RAM's not loading was connected to this. So we tried to install the proper drivers for their monitor.

For whatever reason, we couldn't get Windows to accept the drivers from the LG CD. I even got the drivers from the LG site, put them on the hard drive and tried to get Windows to take the driver from there, but it kept saying the proper drivers weren't there.

As you can tell, we're completely ripping out our hair. Besides the fact that we spent *hours* over there and will now have to spend hours more, the obvious by-product of our "good deed" is that we'll probably have to end up sending the RAM back and *we'll* have to pay the return shipping and restocking fee to Tiger Direct because they bought the RAM in the first place because we said we could put it in. Like we can afford to just throw away $30 or so over this.

Anyway, I'm convinced in a way that there's nothing wrong with the RAM, which is what I originally thought. But we don't know why it won't work properly.

They have an M7SUA motherboard (is that the name of a motherboard?) I have the manual here.

Anything *anyone* could suggest to save us would be appreciated...

The Hans

[pandaharo]

The RAM is simply INCOMPATIBLE with the mobo, this happens quite often. The most diagnostic problem with RAM is spontaneous reboot. Check your BIOS to see if it is picking up the new ram with the correct settings and memory.

Suggestion -> get another stick of RAM, infact, get a stick of 512mb and dispose of the old ram altogether.

[TheHans]

The RAM is simply INCOMPATIBLE with the mobo, this happens quite often. The most diagnostic problem with RAM is spontaneous reboot. Check your BIOS to see if it is picking up the new ram with the correct settings and memory.

Suggestion -> get another stick of RAM, infact, get a stick of 512mb and dispose of the old ram altogether.

I don't understand. Why would it be incompatible when it's the same RAM, PC266? Also, if we put this RAM in alone, the monitor doesn't work. So why would it be any different if we used a new stick of 512 of RAM instead? The point is, this isn't our computer. Isn't there any way to get this RAM to work before we have to lay out cash ourselves?

The Hans

[v00d00]

Unfortunately some memory is just not compatible with some motherboards.

If it doesn't work alone.. then I would say either it's defective or incompatible.

What's the brand of memory?

[2000fordfocus]

not all rams are make equal! there are good ones and cheap ones...

I usually buy ram from futureshop/BB/staples, etc... if the ram is incompatible, i can always go for a refund! You can too with TD, but will cost you a little bit of shipping! try brand name like kingston or Cosair!

[TheHans]

Unfortunately some memory is just not compatible with some motherboards.

If it doesn't work alone.. then I would say either it's defective or incompatible.

What's the brand of memory?

Hi,

It's this memory:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...p?Sku=V96-1902

I guess I don't get what you're saying. Are you saying that some *brands* of memory are incompatible? Because the type of memory is the same as what's already there.

The Hans

[pandaharo]

I don't understand. Why would it be incompatible when it's the same RAM, PC266? Also, if we put this RAM in alone, the monitor doesn't work. So why would it be any different if we used a new stick of 512 of RAM instead? The point is, this isn't our computer. Isn't there any way to get this RAM to work before we have to lay out cash ourselves?

The Hans

Simply put...no, it just wont work. Just refund the RAM.

I suggested 1x 512 because running 1 stick of ram is faster than 2 sticks of ram and 512 now are not even double the price of a 256mb.

[v00d00]

Yeah the brands aren't always compatible with other brands, and sometimes just not compatible with a specific motherboard. Usually it's the cheaper memory that is finicky, but not always.

The motherboard manufacturer will usually list all compatible memory brands that they've tested.

[TheHans]

not all rams are make equal! there are good ones and cheap ones...

I usually buy ram from futureshop/BB/staples, etc... if the ram is incompatible, i can always go for a refund! You can too with TD, but will cost you a little bit of shipping! try brand name like kingston or Cosair!

Hi,

And there's the rub! It's gonna cost *us* a bit of shipping. And don't they have a 15% restocking fee too?? We might as well just pay them for the RAM ourselves and be done with it...

Isn't there any other possible explanation...

The Hans

[pandaharo]

Hi,

It's this memory:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...p?Sku=V96-1902

I guess I don't get what you're saying. Are you saying that some *brands* of memory are incompatible? Because the type of memory is the same as what's already there.

The Hans

Yes, some brands of RAM are incompatible with eachother, for example I got a stick of JetRam sitting on my desk now because it wont work with my 2 512mb Samsungs. Also, some mobos are just picky and wont accept some brands of ram.

[v00d00]

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/sectors/ironclad/index.asp

If you plan to return it.. call them, tell them your situation and wait for their advice.. mostlikely they will just tell YOU that the memory is defective.. as it could be.. take the RA and return it for a refund.

I don't *THINK* there's a restocking fee.. can't see why if it's apparently "defective".

[TheHans]

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/sectors/ironclad/index.asp

Yeah, but it doesn't appear that it's defective. At least not from what people are saying here.

The Hans

[v00d00]

Yeah, but it doesn't appear that it's defective. At least not from what people are saying here.

Disregard the whole incompatibility issue when you call TigerDirect.. simply tell them you tried to run the system with BOTH memory chips.. no luck, so you just tried the NEW memory chip alone and it STILL won't work.

They might ask what happens when you boot up.. you tell them, and they'll probably just tell you it's defective.

[TheHans]

Disregard the whole incompatibility issue when you call TigerDirect.. simply tell them you tried to run the system with BOTH memory chips.. no luck, so you just tried the NEW memory chip alone and it STILL won't work.

They might ask what happens when you boot up.. you tell them, and they'll probably just tell you it's defective.

Hi,

But, if I read the policy correctly, they have the option of sending another one rather than refunding the cash. It doen't appear a new stick of this RAM would be useful.

The Hans

[lapopal]

When you speak to them tell them you want a different brand ( if they offer to send you a replacement), that you dont want to go through this hassle again...