Member Avatar for goldeagle2005

Hey fellow geniuses
I've got 2 RAM sticks
--> 512 mb @ 400MHz
--> 512 mb @ 333MHz

Here's the problem. When I install the RAM sticks individually one at a time, the computer starts up fine. But, when I install both of them, the BIOS gives me three long beeps(the code for bad RAM). If sometimes the RAMs do work together, the comp restarts just as the XP login screen appears. What do you think is the problem?

I kinda suspect the 333MHz RAM stick coz when I gave it to my friend to test, his comp kept rebooting.

I have also verified the 400MHz stick is fine coz when I used the comp with just that stick, it never rebooted

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I install RAM sticks of different clock speeds, won't the system operate at the speed of the slower RAM stick?(in my case it should operate at 333MHz, and it does). What I want to know is can two RAMs of diff speeds conflict and cause the comp to reboot?

Earlier, I had 3 RAM sticks -- the 512mb/333MHz one, a 256 mb/266MHz and a 128 mb/133 MHz stick. This combo worked fine (altho with a speed of 133MHz) and the comp never rebooted.

Please do let me know what the problem could be. For further info, do let me know.

My system specs are as under:
AMD Athlon XP 2000+
MSI 6712 mobo ()
NnVidia GeForce 4 MX 440 SE w/64mb DDR
80 gig seagate IDE
ASUS CD-RW+ASUS CD ROM

Thanks a lot in advance

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by dcc

Dani AI

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Good troubleshooting so far — the symptoms you described point to three likely categories: a failing module or DIMM slot, or a mis-negotiation of timings/voltage when two different sticks are fitted. was right to flag bus/FSB and BIOS settings, and ’s advice about matched modules is the practical fix many people find.

A few practical notes that add detail to those suggestions:

  • Motherboards read SPD data on each stick to set frequency, timings and voltage. When two modules differ in SPD tables (different vendors, densities or ranks) the board can pick unsafe timings or the wrong voltage for one of them, producing random reboots or POST beeps even though each stick boots alone.
  • Older boards are less tolerant of mixed densities (single- vs double-sided chips) and of mixed timings. A BIOS update sometimes improves compatibility, and resetting the BIOS to conservative/default memory settings can stop instability caused by aggressive/automatic timings.

Quick troubleshooting checklist (do these in order):

  • Run Memtest86+ with both sticks installed and let it complete several full passes; any errors point to a bad module or incompatibility.
  • Swap each stick into every slot to rule out a bad slot.
  • Reset BIOS to defaults, disable any overclocking, and if needed manually set conservative timings (higher CAS) and default voltage.
  • Clean contacts and reseat modules, then test again.
  • If problems persist, try a matched kit (same part number/brand) or a single higher-capacity module.

As noted, two matched modules can give better throughput on many boards; ’s single-stick suggestion is sensible if you want simplicity and an easier future upgrade. If the suspect stick is still under warranty, replace it.

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Member Avatar for JANINE

your right with what you've said that the system should run at the speed of the slower item.

it could be the RAM gone bad or a bad memory slot maybe but i'd also check to see the speed of your system isn't too much for the RAM. look at your FSB speeds. somebody i know had exactly the same problem as you've described and found the fsb to be too fast.

Also RAM types can play a big issue especially if you have incompatible types

Member Avatar for Catweazle

The RAM is simply incompatible for working together. In theory your setup should work, but in practice when you mix and match different brands and types it often doesn't ;)

Best thing to do if you need 1Gb of RAM - sell both sticks as secondhand items and buy a pair of matched modules instead ;)

Member Avatar for goldeagle2005

apparently the 333MHz module was at fault. It was still under warranty, so I got it replaced. Everything;s working great now. Thanks a lot for your support, Janine and Catweazle. I appreciate it.

Member Avatar for JANINE

or just buy one 1Gb stick.

always willing to help and it good that you've finally sorted your problem

Member Avatar for dcc

2- 512MB sticks will be faster.

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