So I just switched to Win XP, and decided to go for a memory upgrade. I slapped my new memory (512 mb sdram) in the slot, but it won’t work. When I boot, the computer stops at the part where it checks memory. Sometimes it says “Upgrade OK”, but it still won’t go any further. What going on?
It says 512 MB 168 pin DIMM 64Mx64 SDRAM. I don’t know what the exact model of the motherboard is but the chip it holds is an AMD Athlon 800 MHz. Its about 3 years old if that helps.
Check if you put it in the right slot.
It’s too small. According to some emails I get you can add up to three inches but I haven’t tried it.
>> Check if you put it in the right slot.
Whaddaya mean? You think I can’t tell one slot from another? Besides, if it works, then who cares? 
sailor (desperately looking for a slot to put his ram in)
If your board requires PC1600 - PC3500 ram, and the memory you put in was PC100 or PC133, it probably would not work. Determin what sort of memory your MB takes, and determine what sort of memory you tried to put it. changes are they are incompatible.
Otherwise, you’ve got your self some bad RAM.
I have an AMD Duron 950mhz and it only takes the PC100 or PC 133 type RAM, so I would be surprised if your board requires any of the quicker type of memory like the PC1600, etc.
Another vote for bad RAM; perhaps you can get an exchange?
Perhaps what Ranger meant was that you should make sure if you put the RAM in the right DIMM slot for your mobo. Some require that RAM is populated in order (DIMM 1, then DIMM 2, etc.), rumor has it that the mobo I have must be populated in reverse order, and some just don’t care. Try moving it around.
Also, I believe 512 MB DIMMS are considered “high density” RAM, which some older mobos do not work with. Check the manual, I guess.
Also, make sure your RAM settings are correct in the BIOS, if applicable. You’ll be looking for ECC settings, and these should match those of your RAM.
Or you got some bad RAM.
If you go to Crucial’s web site, they have a very excellent memory compatibility search engine, where you can put in your model of computer or motherboard and it will spit out which of Crucial’s memory modules can function in this motherboard. If the specs from any of the Crucial modules don’t match the specs of the memory you bought, you bought the wrong stuff.
Even if it does match, that doesn’t mean that it works with the settings of your original RAM. Try taking out the original module and replacing it with the new one.
In any case, supported memory is more a function of motherboard than cpu, so finding the name of the motherboard is important for proper diagnosis.
-lv
My computers usually visit the Bios screen when I change the memory & then they should work fine after that.
CrazyDiamond you must visit crucial.com & download their small program that checks your board for what it can take.