My motherboard doesn't like my new RAM

[aholmbe1]

I recently bought a pair of new 1GB DDR 400MHz sticks from eBay after taking much care to match all of the relevant parameters (type, speed, etc.).

My current configuration is as follows:
2x256MB Dual channel DDR
Freq = 200MHz
Timing: 3/3/3/8

The RAM I bought is here

When I installed the new RAM, my motherboard just beeps and won't turn on. I can't even get into BIOS setup. I know the motherboard is capable of supporting 1GB sticks, but it wouldn't start with any combination of these new ones inserted.

One other feature of interest is that the chip surfaces have scores through the model number printed there. I'm wondering if these might be "downgraded" chips described in the forum FAQ. Even so, shouldn't they work?

I would rather get this memory working than incur the cost of returning them. Can anyone suggest anything to try to get this new memory working, or should I pay to have it shipped back?

 

[nobly]

Please post the rest of your comptuer specs for us to further aid you.

At first glance, it sounds like either bad RAM or your motherboard doesn't like it. Could be either. Its no-name RAM, so it can be a hit and miss.

I find it disconcerting that they have a list of "known to work with" chipsets... That kinda says that there's also a "known to NOT work with" list somewhere...

 

[aholmbe1]

Yes, that's a good point about the "known to work with" list.
Here are the rest of my specs:

Motherboard:
Model = SpringdaleG
Chipset = Intel i865P/PE/G/i848P
Rev = A2
Southbridge = Intel 82801 EB (ICH5)
Sensor = Winbond 80

BIOS:
Phoenix Technologies, LTD
Version 6.00 PG
5/3/2004

Here is a link to the computer that I'm trying to stuff these in.

I appreciate any suggestions.

 

[nobly]

I'll bet the Intel board doesn't like your RAM. I had this problem once too... From frys (would you believe it?? 😛 ) - sarcasm there.

Basically the RAM i got wasn't good enough quality for the Intel board to take it. I'd just get the BIOS beeps for the RAM when I put it in. After conferring w/ a buddy at Intel, he told me that sometimes the RAM isn't up to specifications, so the board rejects it.

So I suspect the same thing here.

Another note from the ebay seller... Intel's chipsets are probably the most popular for Intel CPUs. Its very fishy that Intel's chipsets aren't on their "Known to work with" list. They have the 3rd party chipset makers, but not the 1st party. Speaks volumes about their "testing" practices, or that they just left Intel chipsets off the list (probably cuz it doesn't work).

Its obviously the RAM, so if you're trying to avoid returning it, you might be able to raise the RAM voltage. But I've never done that before, so hopefully someone else more knowledgeable can help with that.

Otherwise, I'd just bite the bullet and return it... and argue to see if you can get them to pay return shipping.

Its experiences like these that have led me to buy brand-name only products from now on.

 

[aholmbe1]

Thanks for the analysis. It was insightful and helpful.

I knew I was taking a risk buying off-brand hardware. I suppose it's not worth it here.

Just out of curiosity-- how does one raise the voltage on RAM? Is this control available in standard BIOS setups?

 

[nobly]

Its usually in the BIOS, but I'm not sure what voltage to raise it to for DDR. You can try PM'ing wusy or prozac26. I'd bet wusy would know in 2 seconds.

Anyways, maybe check in your BIOS first to make sure your motherboard will even let you raise the voltage. If you can't well then, forget about it and return it... or you can try to ebay it off to someone else again... shrug.

I can't tell you what to raise it to (if you can) and since I don't want your computer to blow up, I refer you to the more knowledgeable.

 

[phil42]

Send it back, the sooner the better.

Rip-off artists have been selling bum ram since forever.

Get as much of your money back as fast as you can and buy some decent ram.

 

[Mondoman]

Also, what is the brand and model number of your motherboard? You just listed the chipset and some other components from it, but not the brand and model number. Is it ECS brand?

 

[aholmbe1]

I didn't originally report it because cpu-z didn't come up with anything (the field was blank). However, you're right: the HWInfo32 utility reports the motherboard model as "ECS 865PE/865G-M (Deluxe)/PF2/PF3"

 

[Mondoman]

Sorry, I was just expecting that you would get the info by looking at the MB itself.
Although ECS is a cheap brand, the fact is that it works fine with your old RAM (the 256MB sticks). Your new sticks don't work in there, so I would make use of the ebay RAM vendor's vaunted tech support; if they can't fix the problem, return the RAM.

 

[aholmbe1]

I realize the make/model must be somewhere on the MB, but I didn't see it last time I was in the case.

In any event, I've submitted a request to their service email (and not heard anything back).

Thanks to everyone for their analyses and contributions!

 

[Tu Hed]

Since you own an old board,there might be 4 RAM slots.
Try putting each RAM ,once in each slot and boot up your PC and see if screen comes.

If no screen comes after trying all the slots with each RAM respectively,you know that the RAM is not a good one.
There is no problem with the board! (Unless you are a wrestling champion and won the championship while putting the RAM at first.You know what I mean) Im sorry