Upgrading RAM

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I have a Tiny PC 810L as a backup machine. I recently installed a new 128MB
SDRAM which should have brought the capacity to 256MB. The system only shows
191MB under RAM.
I did notice that the new part had only 4 'blocks' as opposed to the
original which had 8. Also it had the suffix DIMM and I think the original
was SIMM. It fitted OK and had the required 168 pins.
Have I lost 64MB somewhere, and what is the difference between SIMM & DIMM?
 
Carreg said:
I have a Tiny PC 810L as a backup machine. I recently installed a new 128MB
SDRAM which should have brought the capacity to 256MB. The system only shows
191MB under RAM.
I did notice that the new part had only 4 'blocks' as opposed to the
original which had 8. Also it had the suffix DIMM and I think the original
was SIMM. It fitted OK and had the required 168 pins.
Have I lost 64MB somewhere, and what is the difference between SIMM &
Click to expand...
DIMM?


Disconnect the original RAM to see where the compatibility issue is.
 
Carreg said:
I have a Tiny PC 810L as a backup machine. I recently installed a
new 128MB SDRAM which should have brought the capacity to 256MB.
The system only shows 191MB under RAM.
I did notice that the new part had only 4 'blocks' as opposed to the
original which had 8. Also it had the suffix DIMM and I think the
original was SIMM. It fitted OK and had the required 168 pins.
Have I lost 64MB somewhere, and what is the difference between SIMM
& DIMM?
Click to expand...

Sounds like you have a integrated video card that 'shares' the memory with
your system board. The actual amount is likely 192MB - meaning the video
card took 64MB...

http://www.google.com/search?q=what...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
 
Carreg said:
I have a Tiny PC 810L as a backup machine. I recently installed a new 128MB
SDRAM which should have brought the capacity to 256MB. The system only
shows
191MB under RAM.
I did notice that the new part had only 4 'blocks' as opposed to the
original which had 8. Also it had the suffix DIMM and I think the original
was SIMM. It fitted OK and had the required 168 pins.
Have I lost 64MB somewhere, and what is the difference between SIMM &
DIMM?
Click to expand...

My guess would be that the stick with 4 chips is considered hi-density and
the one with 8 is not and your motherboard is not capable of handling the
hi-density memory. I've not seen that on 128mb sticks but I have with
256mbs. I had a machine that would see a 256mb double sided stick just fine
but would only see 128mb of a 256mb single sided stick. I installed 2 -
256mb double sided sticks and brought the machine to 512mb. Both the
manufacturer and crucial stated that the max memory was 256mb.
 
Thanks everyone. Your reply Shenan matches what the supplier said today when
I rang with this query. I just found it odd that previously, the System
always showed the full amount of installed RAM and yet didn't when I
installed more?
Judging by the website you referred me to, I must have DIMM in both slots as
they are identical in size etc. apart from the difference in the 'what I call
blocks'?
 
I hadn't heard of high density. There is no mention of it on the website of
the supplier. I will ask though.
 
not quite sure what you mean as it is compatilble in as much as it works but
just not the RAM I was expecting to see
 
Thanks, I have been to both sites and they both say I have 128 in one slot
and 64 in the other which is what I was afraid of. I have been advised by
Sheenan that it may be the video card is taking some of the RAM but would
that make the 2 scans give the above answer? Please look at other replies for
other things I have been told. I am now completely at a loss. Do I accuse the
supplier of sending me the wrong RAM or what! Any other suggestions as to
determining the actual RAM on this new stick will be welcome. There is
nothing on the stick itself, and the pack states 128 and the supplier states
they do not supply 64.
 
Carreg said:
I hadn't heard of high density. There is no mention of it on the website of
the supplier. I will ask though.
Click to expand...

Actually I don't think I have either and maybe my choice of words is
incorrect but my reference was to single sided versus double sided sticks.
A single sided stick with the same amount of memory as a double sided, to me
would be high density. Seems logical to me as it has less chips with the
same amount of memory. Here's a link that describes it but you might get a
headache reading it.
http://realworldtech.com/page.cfm?ArticleID=RWT110401204523&p=2
All I can say is my older motherboard had seen all the memory on a double
sided stick and only half on a single sided.
 
Memory Modules :
192 Megabytes Installed Memory
Slot 0 has 64 MB
Slot 1 has 128 MB
What do you think, is that the video chip causing the discrepancy?
 
Carreg said:
I have a Tiny PC 810L as a backup machine. I recently installed a new 128MB
SDRAM which should have brought the capacity to 256MB. The system only shows
191MB under RAM.
I did notice that the new part had only 4 'blocks' as opposed to the
original which had 8. Also it had the suffix DIMM and I think the original
was SIMM. It fitted OK and had the required 168 pins.
Have I lost 64MB somewhere, and what is the difference between SIMM & DIMM?
Click to expand...


It is absolutely essential that any new RAM module(s) be fully
compatible with both the motherboard and/or any other RAM module(s)
already in the system. Additionally, there are sometimes jumper
switches on older motherboards that need to be reset for new RAM
configurations. Consult your motherboard's manual or the
manufacturer's web site for specific instructions and compatibility
requirements.

If you cannot lay your hands upon the computer's manual and the
manufacturer doesn't provide a support web site, you can use these
utilities to help determine the correct type of RAM needed:

SiSoft's Sandra
http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/index.php?dir=&location=sware_dl&lang=en

Belarc Advisor
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Unlimited Possibilities' AIDA32
http://forum.aumha.org/overflow/aida32.zip

Also, Crucial Memory's web site (www.crucial.com) has a database to
help to find the right RAM for your specific make and model computer
and/or motherboard. (Incidentally, Crucial is the only company from
which I ever buy RAM. I've never been disappointed.)

SIMM = Single Inline Memory Module. PC SIMMs came in 30- and 72-pin
varieties.

DIMM = Dual Inline Memory Module. PC DIMMs are available only in the
168-pin variety.


--

Bruce Chambers

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They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
 
Carreg said:
Memory Modules :
192 Megabytes Installed Memory
Slot 0 has 64 MB
Slot 1 has 128 MB
What do you think, is that the video chip causing the discrepancy?
Click to expand...

Very doubtful, unfortunately.
Usually Belarc reports what is actually there...

Some thoughts on what it could be...

- Incompatible/bad RAM (have supplier swap it with another stick)
- Incompatible BIOS (see if your mainboard has a BIOS update to address
this)

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=810l&pl=tiny&cat=ram

Looks like 256MB is the max for your Tiny 810L PC...
PC133...
 
Thanks Bruce, I will look at the sites mentioned tomorrow, its late here in
UK and I need some sleep!
 
Yep, sure enough, removing the original, the PC shows only 64MB. I have now
detected an illustration of the correct item on the suppliers site and have
put it to them to sort it out. I am now convinced that contrary to what they
say, they supplied the wrong board/stick. Probably the manufacturers fault in
the first place for mixing up packaging! I will now wait and see what they
have to say.
 
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