computer not using all its memory

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W

win

I have an older Compaq computer with a Titan-R-OB motherboard and a K6
processor. I'm not able to get it to use all of the installed memory. For
example, if I install 128 Mb, it shows only 48 Mb. If I instll 64 Mb, it
shows only 16 Mb.
 
I have an older Compaq computer with a Titan-R-OB motherboard and a K6
processor. I'm not able to get it to use all of the installed memory. For
example, if I install 128 Mb, it shows only 48 Mb. If I instll 64 Mb, it
shows only 16 Mb.
Click to expand...

http://tinyurl.com/5eu9
 
Sounds like the memory is not compatible with the board.
Have you checked the boards specs to verify what type of memory is
compatible?
 
I vaguely remember a similar post. Seems like DDR Ram, if that's what
you're using, won't be totally recognized if the mobo doesn't support that
particular type.
 
win said:
I have an older Compaq computer with a Titan-R-OB motherboard and a K6
processor. I'm not able to get it to use all of the installed memory. For
example, if I install 128 Mb, it shows only 48 Mb. If I instll 64 Mb, it
shows only 16 Mb.
Click to expand...

Does it have on-board graphics?

If it does, then it's probably reserving a chunk of the main memory for
that. 48MB sounds rather high, though, for an older machine.

You should be able to change this in the BIOS, but that's not always a given
with a Compaq.. naturally, you'll have to trade graphics for system RAM -
it's a compromise.

--

Hairy One Kenobi

Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this opinion do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the highly-opinionated person expressing the opinion
in the first place. So there!
 
Actually, PC133 is almost always fine in a PC100 MB, the only difference is it's
capable of faster access than required.
 
"Kurt L" said:
Happens all the time if you install PC133 when PC100 is specified.
Click to expand...

I went and get a 128MB PC100, and it is only showing 16MB. I installed the
128MB PC133 again, and it went back to 48MB. The speed of the computer is
233MHz.
 
Ah... That's what we all thought. Actually, that used to be the case. But
newer PC133 SDRAM is coming with disclaimers saying it is no longer backward
compatible with PC100. I don't know what the difference would be, but
something must have changed. I've had several computers recently that only
acknowledge 64 Meg of a 256 Meg stick of PC133. Put in PC100 and
everything's good again.
 
Hi,
It's the matter of chip density, not PC133 is not backward compatible
with PC100. Higher density chips use different address matrix.
Like DIMM and SIMM sticks. Get a proper stick for your needs.
Tony
 
The reason that newer memory isn't necessarily backward compatible has to do
with the higher capacity RAM chips used. They require more address lines and
fewer chip select lines, and older motherboards don't handle the differences.
However, this has nothing to do with the speed, only that memory technology has
moved on, the same effect can be observed in early DDR memory modules, though
most MB makers were more forward thinking by the time DDR products were
designed. :-)
 
I went and get a 128MB PC100, and it is only showing 16MB. I installed the
128MB PC133 again, and it went back to 48MB. The speed of the computer is
233MHz.
Click to expand...

It's quite possible your MB has a problem, it may have nothing to do with the
memory. Also, many motherboards have specific combinations of memory modules
they support, single-sided, double-sided, and in specific sockets. Perhaps a
closer examination of the MB upgrade specs would be in order
 
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