Failing RAM. :'(

Discussion in 'Computers and Technology' started by Asphodan, Dec 21, 2008.

  1. Asphodan

    Asphodan Level III

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    I'm using a Compaq Presario V6000, which comes with problems of its own.
    Some motherboard problem that makes the built-in wireless die, its terrible. I loved that little feature.

    But the more pressing issue is that, something's wrong with the way it handles my RAM.
    I have two sticks of 512MB, and in the DxDiag box, it only recognizes 478MB of memory.

    Opening the laptop up, I see the two chips. I take them out, switch their positions, and the computer screeches its beeps at me. I undo that, putting them back in the original spots and all is well again.

    So my theory is that one chip and one RAM slot is functional, while something happened to kill the other slot and chip. I'm praying for other theories to turn out to be true.

    Thoughts?
     
    #1 Asphodan, Dec 21, 2008
  2. Cheeto

    Cheeto Level IV

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    Well, Compaqs are crappy computers to start with. I'm not surprised that you're encountering this problem. What it seems to me, is that one of the ram slots isn't functional, as you said before. I'm not a computer professional (waits for zer0), but thats what it sounds like to me.
     
    #2 Cheeto, Dec 21, 2008
  3. Asphodan

    Asphodan Level III

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    #3 Asphodan, Dec 21, 2008
  4. mjnskivt

    mjnskivt Level III

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    Chances are the chip in the slot that is working is being fully recognized. 512 mb is just the number they put on the box. They never fully live up to those expectations. For instance, I have three 1gig sticks in my computer, but the real amount I have is 2.87 gigs, not 3. So I think buying a 1gig stick would be fine for you.
     
    #4 mjnskivt, Dec 21, 2008
  5. Zer0

    Zer0 Level IV

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    Try putting in the cards one at a time. And try out each slot with each card. That way, you can isolate the problem (which card is broken OR which slot is broken).
     
    #5 Zer0, Dec 21, 2008
  6. Asphodan

    Asphodan Level III

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    This has been done.

    I've figured out that the bottom port and the stick originally in it, they are both bunked. Kind of a bummer.
    Can only get up to 1G for this computer now. >.<
     
    #6 Asphodan, Dec 21, 2008
  7. krilas

    krilas Level II

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    Count the number of beeps that the computer screeches at you and search it on google to identify the problem. It could be a faulty RAM or something else. You could try taking a slot out at a time and turning on your hardware to see if it works.
     
    #7 krilas, Jan 1, 2009
  8. Rice

    Rice Level III

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    Depends on how cheap the ram is good quality ram shouldnt do this.

    Mine shows up as 4096mb both in windows and bios
     
    #8 Rice, Jan 14, 2009