I humbly ask a tech question...

[Kokopelli]

To the tech gods, I bow before you.

I bought a stick of RAM today from the local computer show, 256 DDR 3200. Figured it would bring my current size to 1024, seeing as I have a 512 and 256 in there now. Problem is, the computer will start and start loading windows. However, when it gets to the "Welcome" screen, it restarts.

The stupid system posts too fast, so I cannot even tell if it is reading RAM. If I take out the new RAM, the system starts like it was never touched. Now I with DIMMs and DDR, you could "mix and match" them. It wasn't like the old SIMMs, where you had to have two sticks of xx RAM installed.

The only thing I can think of, is I got a bad stick of RAM. Something to be expected from a computer show. So, my question to the techies here - is can you mix and match DDR like that? Or am I better off heading over newegg and just buying a 1 gig stick?

There is some good news to all of this... I still got to get C4. :D

[mirunit]

Try pressing delete or F1 or escape at startup to catch the POST and take you into BIOS, once in bios look for somthing general (like an overview), select it and it should give you a readout on your DIMM's. On most motherboards its delete to get into the bios but you may have to try F1 or escape also. Make shure that it is seated correctly also.

[Gard]

Well, a 512 and 256mb chip will give you 768mb of RAM. You would need 2 512 mb chips to give you 1024. :) Anyways, you may want to check your systemboard's manual or your computer's manufacturer to see if it needs both sticks to be the same. On some boards, you can mix & match DDR and on others, you can't. A previous board I had allowed you to have any mix you wanted, of which I had a 1gig chip and a 512mb one. This board I have now, however, they must be identical, right down to the clock syncs.

[Manni]

my question - can you mix and match DDR like that? Or am I better off heading over newegg and just buying a 1 gig stick?
I was told you CANNOT mix!

[mouse]

If you want to test the new stick remove all memory then install just the new stick. If you boot without problems and can keep it running then the ram is good just doesn't want to play nice with the other ram.

If your board supports dual channel then you will gain more from running in dual channel which does require matched boards in all ways.
Tip for buying ram it's better to match your ram on all levels except for size.

Again if running in dual channel you'll want 2X(whatever amount) usually installed in slots 1 and 3 or 0 and 2 depending on how your slots are numbered. If running single channel then you can use boards of different sizes but they should match at all other numbers and timings.

Now aren't you sorry you asked this question:D

[Kokopelli]

Well, I tried it with just the new stick - no dice. That dog aint gonna hunt.

But I thank you guys for your assistance. Now... time to install C4. :D