Memory slot query

CurlyWhirly · 29 Jan 2006 at 02:45

My mate has a motherboard that has 2 memory slots and he has 512Mb of RAM installed on the one memory module.
This leaves the other slot free but when he puts in the other 256Mb memory module, the motherboard fails to recognise it.

He originally had 256Mb of RAM but found Windows XP ran a bit too slow so he bought another 512Mb and was hoping to use the both taking his RAM up to 768Mb.
He is now running 512Mb in his PC and he asked me the other day if I knew why the second memory module isn't recognised?
I haven't got a clue so I was wondering, out of curiosity, if anyone knew why?

I guess that it is because the memory modules are different sizes?
It is the memory slot closest to the CPU socket that is recognised.
They are also different brands as he mentioned that the 512Mb stick is manufactured by Kingston and the 256Mb stick is a generic make.

Would either of these 2 facts matter I wonder? :confused:

Shidojin · 29 Jan 2006 at 08:52

i would say that they are different types of RAM, i.e. one stick PC3200 and the other PC2700 or something like that.

Jimbo Mahoney · 29 Jan 2006 at 09:12

Would need more info - P4 or AMD?

RAM type?

CurlyWhirly · 29 Jan 2006 at 13:24

I know that it's a P4 processor but as to what motherboard it is, I wouldn't have a clue as he didn't say and I didn't think to ask.
Not to worry, it's just that on my previous PC I was able to mix different memory sizes and different speeds with no problems with motherboard detection.