I have 3 slots in my old computer for RAM. It currently has a single 512mb in it. My brother gave me 3 more 512's so I thought id speed this baby up. We put them in and when all 3 were in, my computer stayed on the black screen with no boot up. Pulled one out and it kept re-booting over and over. Pulled that one out and with my original one in, my computer started back up, but my AVAST got corrupted and I couldn't fix it. Put the 3rd one back in (with my original one) and it started up but when I clicked a program, it kept crashing. Pulled that one out and re-installed Avast using my original 512 ram and I'm back to normal... Any ideas why the new ram won't work? Is there something in the re-setting bios's ?

I'm not an expert but I think that it may be that your computer cannot take that amount of memory. My PC has the same problem. We had a technician try to add extra memory and the computer couldn't take it. Unfortunately I don't think that there is a way of solving this.

If your computer is slow, have you tried having your operating system (E.g. Windows) reinstalled? That solved the issues on my computer and now it runs quite fast after a few years of dragging and running at 100% most of the time.

What is your Operating System?

Was the additional RAM you inserted the correct type? Just because it fit in the slot doesn't mean it's the right kind!

What numbers are on the current stick?
Numbers on the new sticks?

You can use a free program called SIW (system information windows) to see the model of your motherboard, and then look it up on the manufacturers site to find out what the total limit of memory is, and also what's compatible. Besides size (512), memory sticks also have a speed ratting and usually its OK to use different speeds but the system will default to the lowest stick speed for all sticks. There is also a chip rating (70ns or 60ns) and the two don't like to mix.

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Originally Posted by Appzalien

You can use a free program called SIW (system information windows) to see the model of your motherboard, and then look it up on the manufacturers site to find out what the total limit of memory is, and also whats compatible. Besides size (512), memory sticks also have a speed ratting and usually its ok to use different speeds but the system will default to the lowest stick speed for all sticks. There is also a chip rating (70ns or 60ns) and the two don't like to mix.

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RAM limit is dependent on either being 32-bit or 64-bit. There is no need to look up the model number of your MOBO and search and search to find the answer.

If you're running a 32-bit OS then your limit is 4GB. If you're running a 64-bit then it's dependent on OS (8GB-192GB).

Since your OS complies with MOBO (and other specs) you can't have a 32-bit MOBO running a 64-bit OS.

There's no need to send the OP all over to find something he/she can find in 10seconds on their PC.

I have this Belarc results I ran, I will pop the stick out after work today and read the numbers of it as well as the new ones I have and post the results. Thanks for helping me sort this out.

http://i73.servimg.com/u/f73/13/13/62/34/belarc10.jpg

It's hard to read but I can see that your running XP Pro 32-bit, with 3 available slots and 1 slot taken by 512mb. Your max allowable RAM is 4GB. I am attempting to read the MOBO # to get a read on compatible RAM but I think it's too small to read ;)

http://i73.servimg.com/u/f73/13/13/62/34/belarc11.jpg

I believe this is your board. I couldn't really read it so I took an educated guess.

VIA P4X400 Chipset - VIA Technologies, Inc.

If you take the existing RAM stick and put in slot A0 does your desktop bootup? How about A1?

I remember, when we tried on Friday, my original 512 stick , worked in all 3 slots by itself. When I added another, it booted up, said I was running 1 gig, but everything went crazy, my avast got corrupt, my windows live mail crashed, and it would re-boot all by itself

I would agree with calidad0f3 about a conflict in RAM types... when you get a chance give us the numbers on all sticks and we can pinpoint whether this was the case!

Again, just because they physcially fit doesn't mean it belongs!

http://i73.servimg.com/u/f73/13/13/62/34/belarc12.jpg

Here's the 3 sticks my brother gave me

http://i73.servimg.com/u/f73/13/13/62/34/p1000212.jpg

You realize you only have 3 slots right? You have 4 sticks... can you post a pic of the current stick?

Here is s direct link to the belarc, those smaller ones will be deleted , sorry for the confusion.

http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?I=175&u=13136234

Yes, I realize that. He gave me 3 so, I tried to put 2 in with my old one...

I will admit up front hardware is not my specialty. So califdad0f3 (or others) will correct me if I am wrong but...

I see nothing wrong with the type of memory in the pics above. The PC3200u are DDR400 sticks... which; according to the MOBO manual, 400mhz bus frequencies are supported.

Again, I am not even sure my MOBO link is for the correct MOBO. I will have to see your current stick to compare. Again, others will be around to help! (It's Monday so a lot of us are working) (I'm at work, just bored :D)

UH OH, Check this out!

Haha, thanks a lot, I have to "go" to work , paint a condo :( Here is my existing stick, I put it back in the farthest slot this time, and now my avast won't work again. It has a red x over it and I can't get it going . I think I have more problems...

http://i73.servimg.com/u/f73/13/13/62/34/p1000213.jpg

Well that link I posted was saying that the MOBO was iffish and didn't always work with DDR400 RAM but your original stick is DDR400 so that isn't the issue. Your additional sticks are DDR400 as well. I would wait for califdadof3 to come around because I think it's more then a RAM issue!