buying old RAM

[sailorsix]

Well actually new RAM for an old MDG desktop from 2001. I have 256K and one more slot but I find that Photoshop chokes the system so looking to add to or replace existing.

Where do I buy?

Thanks

Here is what I have:
Chipset
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northbridge Intel i845GL rev. A1
Southbridge Intel 82801DB (ICH4) rev. 01
Memory Type DDR
Memory Size 256 MBytes
Memory Frequency 133.3 MHz (3:4)
CAS# 2.5
RAS# to CAS# 3
RAS# Precharge 3
Cycle Time (tRAS) 6
DRAM Idle Timer 16


Memory SPD
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIMM #1

General
Memory type DDR
Manufacturer (ID) SpecTek Incorporated (7F7FB5FFFFFFFFFF)
Size 256 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2100 (133 MHz)
Part number
Serial number 2E6D0000
Manufacturing date Week 54/Year 02

Attributes
Number of banks 1
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Registered no
Buffered no
Nominal Voltage 2.50 Volts
EPP no
XMP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 100 133
CAS# 2.0 2.5
RAS# to CAS# delay 2 3
RAS# Precharge 2 3
TRAS 5 6

 

[basketcase]

I was on the same search for my parents computer last summer and there pretty much is no actual 133 RAM to be found. Most of the new stuff is backwards compatible though. You could likely try any little computer store and they'll help you out.

 

[onehunglow]

There are 3 stores on Kennedy between ellesmere and lawrence. Factory direct,
Techdirect and Wholesale computers. Go to www.factorydirect.ca, www.techdirectcanada.ca and search their site. Factory direct has a large data base of supplies. I have been scoring ram from them for a long time with little or no problems. All have a good return policy. Take a stick of ram with you to be sure you are getting the same stuff (if unsure). Also you can download a program from Lavalys called Everest Home Edition. You can put it on your system and it will inventory everything and tell you exactly what you have from your cpu to the type of ram you have.

Good Luck

 

[sailorsix]

RAM upgrade failed

I got a DDR 512 chip but it will not work.

It fits ok but when booting the PC stops right at the beginning after beeping a couple of times.

I have tried with the 512 only, with the 256 installed in one slot and the 512 in the 2nd but nothing happens.

When I go back to just the 256 all is well.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Horney_Senior]

Your system probably tops out at 512MB so you could not put more that 2 by 256 in.

 

[bsi]

Fling the box harshly against a wall.

I too just spent about 15 hours trying to find RAM for a 2000 era computer. Relatives with pleading eyes that they just could not afford a brand new one for less than $400 (all new, all legal).

After a couple of situations like yours (finding old RAM, buying it, trying it in various configurations, returning it to an unhappy vendor who tried pretty hard to find it in the first place), I drew the line in the sand and said "enough".

One thing I would do differently. I should have taken the box in and let the RAM vendor try to replace it. That is usually a $10-$20 upcharge which would have been cheap in hindsight. That way, if there is a BIOS setting or whatever to make the RAM work then the onus is on them to figure that out.

Good luck.

 

[cancowboy2001]

I got a DDR 512 chip but it will not work.

It fits ok but when booting the PC stops right at the beginning after beeping a couple of times.

I have tried with the 512 only, with the 256 installed in one slot and the 512 in the 2nd but nothing happens.

When I go back to just the 256 all is well.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Go to http://www.crucial.com/ and run through their System Scanner Tool - you will have to install an ActiveX control as it does not seem to know about MDG. It will figure out what configurations are possible for the motherboard and what memory you should be looking for.

 

[Spinnerbait]

Some older MB won't take double-sided memory. Where about are you located? I have some older DDR and may be we can trade.

 

[porn_lover]

have you tried just having 512MB stick plugged in and taking the 256MB out?

If the above still does not boot then maybe the 512MB stick is dead or as Spinnerbait suggested.
And see if you can find out what the max. memory your system can support. As you are using photoshop, the more the better.

You can also buy any laptop RAM as long its DDR, as the RAM will downgrade itself (DDR 400 PC-3200 or DDR 333 PC-2700 is fine). Check prices here, http://canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProdList&cmd=pl&id=RAM they also have some under Clearance

Good Luck

 

[sailorsix]

Thanks. I will try again tonite with your suggestions. The old is single sided. The new is double sided

 

[Keebler Elf]

I've bought online from this business without any problem.

http://www.memoryx.net/

 

[onehunglow]

When you boot up and hear some beeps, its your computer trying to give you a message. Check the name of your Bios maker and go to their site. They will give you the beep code explanations.

 

[emvee]

I have 256K and one more slot but I find that Photoshop chokes the system so looking to add to or replace existing.

Where do I buy?

I was in the same position about 6 months ago. I got exactly what I needed of ebay for about $10. Just be careful to get the right one - compare the photos with the one you already have to confirm after matching the rest of the specs

 

[jwmorrice]

I got a DDR 512 chip but it will not work.

It fits ok but when booting the PC stops right at the beginning after beeping a couple of times.

I have tried with the 512 only, with the 256 installed in one slot and the 512 in the 2nd but nothing happens.

When I go back to just the 256 all is well.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Remember that the slowest RAM has to go into the "0" slot. Try switching them around.

jwm

 

[vavog]

Memory SPD
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIMM #1

General
Memory type DDR
Manufacturer (ID) SpecTek Incorporated (7F7FB5FFFFFFFFFF)
Size 256 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2100 (133 MHz)
Part number
Serial number 2E6D0000
Manufacturing date Week 54/Year 02

Attributes
Number of banks 1
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Registered no
Buffered no
Nominal Voltage 2.50 Volts
EPP no
XMP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 100 133
CAS# 2.0 2.5
RAS# to CAS# delay 2 3
RAS# Precharge 2 3
TRAS 5 6

Anyone find it odd that this printout says PC2100, which is 266mhz memory but the timings table specifically states 100/133mhz? PC100 / PC133 is SDRAM which is different from DDR. hmmmm... interesting. Did standards change while I was sleeping?

 

[sailorsix]

Vavog,

Sorry but that is Latin to me.

I am guessing that you mean I have the wrong type of chip. I am also guessing that it would be best to take the whole box into some corner PC store and see if they can resolve it for me.