Member Avatar for GerryD

I have a pc100 Parkard Bell when I removed 128mb dimm it stated pc133 so purchased and installed 2x256mb dimms but system is only showing them as 2x128mb Ihave tryed flashing bios with both updates from Parkard Bell but no difference can anybody suggest anything that won't incur further costs

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Dani AI

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Most likely explanation (and a quick way to confirm): older PC100/PC133-era boards will happily accept a 256MB label but sometimes cannot address the newer “high‑density” 256MB DIMMs the way manufacturers expect. That mismatch commonly makes a 256MB stick report as 128MB (or otherwise half-size) even when the module itself is good. This is a chipset/module‑organization issue, not a Windows or BIOS-quirk in the majority of cases. (oempcworld.com)

Practical checks (do these before buying anything else):

  • Test each new 256MB DIMM by itself in each socket. If a stick reads 256MB in one socket and 128MB in another you’ve isolated a slot issue; if every socket shows 128MB with that stick, the stick is the incompatible one.
  • Inspect the module: count ICs per side (many small chips on both sides usually = low‑density; a few larger chips can indicate high‑density).
  • Read the SPD/part number with CPU‑Z (SPD tab) to confirm organization and vendor part number — that makes RMA/exchange easier. (cpuid.com)
  • Run a bootable memory tester (MemTest86/MemTest86+) to verify the physical module is healthy. If it fails tests, it’s defective rather than just incompatible. (memtest.org)

What to do if the checks point to incompatibility

  • Return/exchange the DIMMs for PC133 SDRAM explicitly listed as “low‑density” or shown as compatible for your Packard Bell/iMedia family; memory vendors (Kingston/Crucial) list system‑specific modules which avoid this trap. (kingston.com)
  • As noted, incompatibility is common; as suggested, try a BIOS “Load defaults/optimised defaults” or clear CMOS after testing, but if BIOS updates and CMOS resets don’t help the only reliable fix is a compatible low‑density module.

These steps will show whether the new RAM is bad, merely misread, or genuinely incompatible — and they give a clear, low‑cost path (test → identify → replace with vendor‑verified PC133 DIMMs) to get the full capacity usable.

Recommended Answers

All 9 Replies

Member Avatar for Thong_Ispector

How many memoery slots do you have?

Did you install one chip or two?

Was your old memory single sided or double sided?

Member Avatar for dcc

What is the max RAM per slot that your computer will recognize?

Member Avatar for Catweazle

The RAM modules are incompatible with your motherboard, I'm sorry to say. Not all PC133 RAM modules are identical technology. I do not believe that anything will make them detect correctly.

mightn't be what you want to hear, but it's the truth. I've come across quite a few older systems which exhibited the same behaviour, and short of purchasing a more expensive, alternate type of RAM module the limitation cannot be overcome. The earlier comment about single/double sided RAM is most likely the explanation, and 'double sided' RAM does not necessarily mean that the module has memory chips on both sides of the module - it's a memory configuration technology.

Member Avatar for GerryD

I have two memory slots,have installed two chips and the old memory was double sided 128mb

Member Avatar for GerryD

The max memory per slot is 256mb

Member Avatar for GerryD

Okay thanks for the reply its not a major issue just an annoyance my PC will suffice till I get a new one and give this one to the kids.

Member Avatar for Robbarf7

To force your CMOS/BIOS to recognise the upgrade you've got to go inside your PC and remove (count to ten)and replace the CMOS battery usually a CR2032. If it has worked you will hear a beep on startup.


Only do this if you're sure you are confident about taking the lid off your PC

Member Avatar for GerryD

To force your CMOS/BIOS to recognise the upgrade you've got to go inside your PC and remove (count to ten)and replace the CMOS battery usually a CR2032. If it has worked you will hear a beep on startup.


Only do this if you're sure you are confident about taking the lid off your PC

Thanks I'll give it a try the only problems I forsee is making sure I touch the chassi before I touch anything and I remove the correct item I'll let you know how I get on.

Member Avatar for GerryD

Hi guys seems like I've just been a bit thick I have 64bit technology what would be required to change this to 128bit technology as it seems a bit senseless having 512mb memory but only getting the benefit of only 256mb I'm not totally concerned as I've had enough new PC on the horizon after christmas

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