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BIOS does not fully recognize RAM
Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 1:19 am
by datakneus
I have a computer running Windows XP with a Biostar M7MKA motherboard and Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG. The motherboard has three slots for RAM. According to the User Manual I should be able to upgrade up to 768 MB SDRAM.
I have several DIMM's of 128 MB and 256 MB memory all of the same brand (PQI) but no matter how much I move them around the BIOS only recognizes 3x128 MB of memory.
I have tried searching for new BIOS firmware, but have been unable to find anything that I trust enough to use.
Is it possible I have missed an option in the BIOS settings so that the computer will use all of the RAM available?
Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 1:54 pm
by KachiWachi
Biostar M7MKA -> AMD 750 Chipset -> PC-100 DIMM @16, 64, or 128 MBit Technology
Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:40 pm
by Denniss
Ask for i440BX compatible modules, same limitations but easier for dealers to find. PC-133 should work, too; fully backwards compatible to PC-100.
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:12 am
by datakneus
I am sorry, but I am not following. Can you please explain using a little more English sentences? I can't follow your logic.
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:29 pm
by KachiWachi
I was talking about the chip density...the amount of chips required on each module to make up the complete module capacity.
Code: Select all
256 MB module = 2048 Mbit module (256 x 8 bits per byte)
# of 512 Mbit chips needed = 4 => won't work (exceeds chipset specification)
# of 256 Mbit chips needed = 8 => won't work (exceeds chipset specification)
# of 128 Mbit chips needed = 16 => works
# of 64 Mbit chips needed = 32 => works (not produced - ?)
# of 16 Mbit chips needed = 128 => works (not produced - LOL!!)
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 2:33 pm
by datakneus
This is the most recent module I bought: PQI DIMM 256Mb 133 16x16 PQI SS CL3
As far as I can tell this means 16 MB (128 MBit) x 16 (amount of chips) and therefore my computer should recognize the total 256 MB in stead of 128 MB. Or am I missing something!?
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 1:18 am
by Denniss
16x16 = internal structure, needs to be 16x8 to be compatible with i440BX and AMD 75x
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 1:14 pm
by datakneus
I found these at my local hardware shop: PQI DIMM PQI 256Mb 100 16x08 PQI DS CL2.0
I am gonna see if I can return my recently bought memory and get this one in stead.
Thanks for the help!
Edit: These are even cheaper: PQI DIMM PQI 256Mb 133 16x08 PQI DS CL3.0. I guess I'll go and buy these.
Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 8:21 pm
by Denniss
CL3 is cheaper but also slower.
