hey fixers ~ any chance of some help with my new memory?

I just took out (from my DDR slots):

2 x 512MB 4-Layer V-Data PC3200 DDR

and replaced with (into the DDR2 slots) :

2 x 1Gb Crucial PC2-4200 Non-ECC Unbuffered DDR2

Should be fairly simple, straight forward swap - but...

System Properties still claims total 1Gb
and Belarc Advisor claims 2x512Mb (Slots A0/A1)

--
ASUS P5VDC-TVM (1.XX) Motherboard
Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG (ASUS P5VDC-TVM/GB)
--

[rest of PC spec should appear in 'My PC' above]

any idea what's going on?! *feel like I might have wasted cash*


eighty0ne

just a quick update -

I used CPU-Z for double check and it seems to recognize both 1Gb sticks

Guess that's a good thing..?!

hmmn, very strange... any thoughts?

What motherboard do you have? It may not like 4200 and since cpu-id reads them then they are not bad sticks or your pc only can take up to one gig of ram? will look now that I see what Motherboard you have

You might have to clear the CMOS as well...

FInd the little silver battery inside your Motherboard and take it out for 30 seconds put it back in...

EDIT:

And seems it only take pc 3200
ASUS P5VDC-TVM Motherboard (DDR2-400Mhz) Memory


Edit number 2:

Maybe a BIOS update will help you

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hey Merlin, thanks for your reply

1. should I still try clearing the CMOS by removing the battery?
2. should I return 4200 to retailer and replace for 3200? or is this just a matter of backward compatibility/speed - ie. will the 4200 simply run at 3200 or is it more complex than that?
3. how would I go about updating the BIOS? [not done this before]

cheers ~ eighty0ne

oh, and what's the deal with CPU-Z recognising both 1Gb sticks?

Cpu-id will always read what you have in there... As long as it is good..

As for updating yer BIOS.. go to Asus's site, to to Drivers and updates..And look and see when the latest BIOS update is.. If it is after you bought the board then you would download it..Stick it on a floppy and its that simple..

I would not return them just yet...Give me a sec while I take a pic of what to do in yer BIOS

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I have a gigabyte Motherboard but your should be about the same.. Here arethe pics on how to change your ram

Attached Images

	Picture 001.jpg (129.2 KB, 4 views)
	Picture 002.jpg (138.8 KB, 3 views)
	Picture 003.jpg (146.2 KB, 3 views)

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cheers, I just went to ASUS website to hunt down a BIOS update like you suggested

they don't list their own P5VDC-TVM model.. duh

closest options are

P5VDC-MX
P5VDC- MX V2.0
and P5VDC-X (unless this X means P5VDC-series, perhaps?)

also, I don't have a floppy drive is that gonna be a problem?

just got your thumbnails - cheers, will give that a whirl now...

back in a sec ~ eighty0ne

K..Going to lunch be back in a bit...

And yes this Means that series of Motherboard's (the one you have...)

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hey Merlin

I went into my BIOS but don't have the same options as you

no sign of 'Advanced CHIPSET FEATURES' or DRAM Config at all...

my list runs as follows:

>Standard BIOS Features
>Advanced BIOS Features
>Integrated Peripherals
>Power Management Setup
>PC Health Status

(while I was there, I noted that Total Memory 1047552k)

where next? cheers so much for your help so far...

when in BIOS try pressing CTRL and F1 this will bring up advanced options (more options) I sorry I forgot to tell you that,,

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ok dude, hope you've had a nice lunch!

DRAM Settings

i went into BIOS again and CTL+F1 brought up Advanced CHIPSET FEATURES
this gave me the option to change DRAM Freq which was set to <Auto> with Current Freq 266
inside that I could chose <Auto> <400> or <533> - no option for anything higher
So I bumped it up to 533 but it doesn't seem to have made any difference...
System still only recognises 1Gb

BIOS Update

I spotted a tool on the ASUS website called ASUS Update which claims to update your BIOS from Windows - says it supports P5 Motherboard models

I am downloading it now but won't run it until I hear from you!

cheers, eighty0ne