What Manufacturer ???

[Daninku]

Hi, first of all I'm Daniel. Sorry for any english grammar mistakes. Anyway, about 2 weeks ago my PC started to restarts automatically on its own when I choose different options - such as when I search something or mIRC options and many others. From my research I found that the problem could be only memory. I had 2 memory sticks - 1 was 128MB and another of 256MB (SDRAM) - but was only reading 256MB (the 128MB and half the 256MB). After some trial and errors, I found that the 256MB stick is damaged, and now I'm using only the 128MB stick (my PC is running smooth again). But the problem is that now windows is loading musch more slower than before, which I hate slow machines. I decided to buy another memory stick, but now I have to choose the right one for my systemboard. I don't know what to do, and I don't want that the one I will buy will be half readable or not 'compatible' with my system board. Can someone help me with this please, Thankx

[Geekgirl]

Hi Daninku

You can use to find what type of memory you have.
The stick you took out is there nothing on it showing what type it is? If your buying from local shop take it in I'm sure they would know the type you have.
Do you have your motherboard manual?

[teststrips]

Without seeing or knowing for sure what PC you have it's really hard to tell you what to buy. Here are 2 ways to get RAM that should work with your machine.

1. - if you know the manufacturer and model of the computer... or if it's a generic machine, the motherboard model number go to a site like crucial.com, kingston.com, or corsair.com, put in the info, and it'll give you specs on what you need (generally with good prices)

2. - take the bad/faulty stick with you to bestbuy, circuit city, staples, office depot, office max, a local computer store, or (insert technologoy store here) - have one of the more geeky looking sales people help you decide what you need. If it doesn't work, you should be able to return it.

[Daninku]

Hi CeekGirl... Ok, can you tell me something about this SisSoft Sandra and what is it please?

And something about my RAM. When I upgraded to windows xp PRO a technician suggested to have 256MB instead of 128MB. Immediately I bought another 256MB. So that is supposed to be more than 256MB. But my PC only reads 256MB, that's not a problem at all. This happened about 2 years ago. Now about 2 weeks ago, my pc started to restart, and I concluded that the 256MB stick is making this error or something. SO, I took it off and now my pc is working properly, except that it is slower than before. Now i decided to buy a new stick apart from the 128MB installed (or another 128MB or perhaps a 256MB). But I have to be sure that if I will buy a 256MB the pc won't read only 256MB (when I'm supposed to have 128MB + 256MB). Someon told me that the 256MB was damaged or not working properly on my pc because it's not 'compatible' with my system board.

The stick you took out is there nothing on it showing what type it is?
Hmmm... so, there is a small sticker, and on it there is written -RAM*256 SDRAM- (and its manufacturer is TOKI Technology) there is also printed on it PC133.

Note:- The 1 I'm using is also PC133 SDRAM, so both of them are the same, except 1 is 128MB, and the one I took off is 256MB

Do you have your motherboard manual?
No... that's the problem. If I had, they told me to browse www.crucial.com and step by step it will tell me what RAM is compatible with my system board.

Thankyou for helping me Ceekgirl

[Daninku]

Hey testsrips... yes I took off the faulty stick, and my pc is working well now. I think my system board manufacturer is VIA, becuase I saw it on a chip near the RAM in the middle of the board. But I don't know its model. If I know the model, it will be much easier for me, as simply visit one of those websites and go step by step, then I will ask for the result in any computer store I want here in Malta hehe.

[Geekgirl]

[teststrips]

It was said before that your board may only support 128 per channel... while that could be the case there is also another possibility. PC133 ram was made in single and double sided chips. Double sided chips are cheaper and less compatible with computer systems. My guess is that you have a double sided chip, but your computer is only using one side.

VIA makes chips (chipsets) that go on many different brands of motherboards. The model number of your motherboard will likely be around its edges or around/between the PCI slots. Most manufactures use a 5 diget code like K24M7 (made up model).

Here's a link to somethign at staples that will likely work for you. If this one doesn't, there is a link to the PC100 model on that page too. Staples is also likely to carry it instore too... the rebates are quite nice if you ask me.

[Daninku]

HEYYY, got it. My mother board is SOLTEK (model Number SL-65FV+). Ok now at least I know, that if I'm gonna buy ram it should be 12MB SDRAM PC133. So, I tried www.crucial.com - 1st step selected Soltek as my manufacturer, 2nd step Soltek Motherboards, 3rd Step Model SL-65FVB (because there is not the SL-65FV+). And this is the result:
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts. ... &submit=Go

Obviously, I have to choose from the 128MB PC133 SDRAM - can you help me with this now? what shall I do to add a 128MB in my PC? And of course it is supposed to be a good one, not making my pc restarting when i choose an option hehe!!

Thank you both

(Try to enter SL-65FV+ on google, and there should be a picture of the board, perhaps this will help you)[/url]

[Daninku]

Can someone tell me what information I have to give the seller, so that he would give me the right stick??

[Geekgirl]

Hey Daninku,
I can't seem to find nothing on your specs you gave me. Go follow these steps to find your specs. Let us kno what you find out.

[Gecko]

According web site
you need PC133 SDRAM single-side only you have three slots and can run up to 768MB ram.

If you follow the above link you can select your motherboard
from the dropdown list then download the manual for your motherboard.

[Daninku]

Ok Gecko you're great. THankx for that you helped me alot. I have downloaded the manual, and apart from that there are downloads for bios and driver updates in the same page. Is it a good idea if I use those upgrades??

[Gecko]

[teststrips]

I still suggest to you trying the 256mb pc133 stick at staples

if it doesn't work then simply return it.

While you are at the store, you can check to make sure it's single sided b4 you buy it.

[Daninku]

How can I know if it is double sided or single??