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Resolved Question

Compaq Presario SR2170nx Motherboard Lost 1 Ram Bank

Feb 16, 2013 10:48PM PST

As all good things must end, my desktop lost the function of one of the RAM banks (port-stick-card-slot, etc). This system uses 2mb Ram divided between 2 slots of 1mb each. The motherboard has failed on one slot and now is trying to operate on half the RAM needed and is SLOW! I know this by the reports ran stating about 1mb now and the obvious slowdown. I replaced ram cards with new 1mb each and no help which led me to believe it was the board, not the ram. My first common sense fix was to add a 2mb stick in one slot bringing the working conditions back up to speed. I would think that to be too easy and would probably find that it won't work, maybe like the board works between the two slots and simply placing a 2mb in one slot wouldn't fix.

I'm also thinking to pull my hard drives out and install them into another bare bones machine. I've read this will have problems of driver rejects if it even boots on the Vista os running now.

Any suggestions without a disk wipe would be helpful. I have years of my home recording studio files on the system running at 32 bit and can't loose it. (never recapture the moments)

Discussion is locked

MarvinSwordenski has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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If it runs, why is there a problem of loss?
Feb 16, 2013 11:25PM PST

As it's running now, why can't you backup now?

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Thanks for your interest...
Feb 17, 2013 12:43AM PST

I want the end result to have the exact running system I have now (working of course). Backing up will only take the files and not the existing software, programs I use for recording. Right?
I have so many programs I use and not all the install disks.

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Then you want
Feb 17, 2013 6:33AM PST

The same make/model machine to put the drive into. Since we can clone the drive as well as save an image of the drive, there should be no issue or worry about loss.

Bob

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Thanks for the reply...
Feb 17, 2013 11:37PM PST

So, I buy the same machine as I have, maybe a bare bones, and install my hard drive. Starting the new machine and booting up and the OS on my current hard drive will see no difference removing the issue of drivers not recognizing the hardware?
I think there's a Microsoft Vista OS install license that will come into play.
Clone or save a drive image sounds like I have to copy the entire drive over to a new drive?
I hate to sound like I don't know anything about computers being I have built a couple from scratch but the retention of the programs I'm using is top priority.
Thanks for everyone's help.

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A bare bones is
Feb 17, 2013 11:57PM PST

Usually parts other than a Compaq Presario SR2170nx. You've told your story well and the only thing that will cure this is another Compaq Presario SR2170nx.

Said Compaq Presario SR2170nx might be missing some keyboard, drives, display but it's the only thing that can avoid loss, as in having to start over.

It's that simple.
Bob

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THANK YOU!
Feb 18, 2013 12:16AM PST

I guess I'm in the market for another SR2170nx. Obviously I have the other hardware in place now.
I'll get a replacement box and install my drive, boot and move on.

Thank you everyone.