Ram Size During POST is Wrong

[rmicro1]

Hi,

I installed a stick of Kingston 512MB PC133 SDRAM in an older machine last week and the POST only reports it as 256MB. The motherboard is a Aopen MX3W Pro.

I used tried both slots and also flashed the BIOS to the latest (R1.33) but still only half the amount. The system runs way better as it is running WINXP and only had 128Megs before (customer's machine). So currently it is running with the 512 and 128 stick installed but reporting 384 of RAM.

I was told by someone that there is potientally a fix for this. Anyone know what this is as I can't find a fix (tried a google search).

Help is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[prong]

I suspect the MB supports a maximum 384 MB of RAM. The 512 MB DIMM works, but the MB shows the maximum default amount of RAM as 384 MB.

 

[rmicro1]

I just download the manual for the board and it says that it supports up to 512MB of PC100 RAM. But it doesn't say if that is total system or per slot. I'm thinking system so that all it can use per slot is 256mb. It also says it can only use up to 16 chips per DIMM. I doubt the stick I put in has more than 16.

Any comments?

 

[CompTIA_Rep]

There should be a maximum ram per slot of 256MB. There may be a bios update to support 512, but I highly doubt it.

 

[oc]

Read the spec for your MB. There is your problem.

 

[rodney_ws]

I suspect the MB supports a maximum 384 MB of RAM. The 512 MB DIMM works, but the MB shows the maximum default amount of RAM as 384 MB.

I disagree slightly with this diagnosis... I believe that 256 MB DIMMs are the maximum supported size... you could probably have 512 MB of RAM, but you'd need two 256 MB DIMMs.

*EDIT*

Crap, I was too slow... everyone else beat me to this.

 

[prong]

supports up to 512MB of PC100 RAM

I noticed you are adding a 512 MB of PC133 RAM. I had major stability problem substituting PC133 for PC100 where the MB specified PC100. I had to remove it and buy PC100. Maybe the MB manual (or online website MB specs) will explain if the MB maximum RAM capability is 384 MB or more.

 

[prong]

Kingston recommended DIMMS for your MB. I hope the link works. PC100. I have three of these exact DIMMS running in one of my oldest machines. I picked them up at the Guard gate at Kingston, Inc. years ago.

http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator_new/modelsinfo.asp?SysID=9647&mfr=AOpen&model=MX3W+Pro&root=&LinkBack=&Sys=9647-AOpen-MX3W+Pro-E+Motherboard&distributor=0&submit1=Search

 

[rmicro1]

Cool thanks for the info. I never thought to check to see if the board was limited like that before installing that RAM. I've had other boards from that same time that were able to use that RAM before without problems. Live and learn.

Thanks to everyone for your comments. Appreciate it.