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General discussion

Replacing DIMM RAM

May 20, 2005 1:19PM PDT

I tried to replace a 16MB RAM with a 64 MB RAM in a Pentium I but the computer only detects 16MB of RAM.
I put the 16MB back in and replaced the 32MB with the 64MB and the computer only detected 48MB total RAM.
How do I get the computer to recognise the full size of the RAM?

Discussion is locked

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there is a possiblility...
May 20, 2005 1:21PM PDT

that that is as much ram as that PC can hold...like how PCs nowadays have a max of 2 GB of ram

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Max RAM
May 20, 2005 7:49PM PDT

I am unsure of the max RAM for my computer bu if I remove both 16MB and 32MB sticks and put the 64MB stick in the computer only recognises it as a 16MB RAM

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Some chipsets didn't support such large memory sticks.
May 20, 2005 1:48PM PDT

Believe it or not, 16M was large back then and 64M sticks were quite rare.

Bob

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MAX RAM and slots, CMOS settings
May 20, 2005 7:57PM PDT

My computer currently has 48MB and only has two slots.
I can't find where to change the settings to detect the RAM in CMOS, which I have been may need to be done.
My computer is an IBM APTIVA, running WIN 98 SE, with 2MB Video memory connected straight to the motherboard, no PCI card, AGP slot not present.
6GB of HDD space.

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Maybe
May 20, 2005 10:55PM PDT

If you were to go here.

www.crucial.com

and plug your make/model into their memory finder it might come back and tell you some interesting stuff.

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Memory upgrade by Specs of Mnf...
May 20, 2005 11:12PM PDT

See
http://www.ibm.com/support/us/

Drill down for manual.

At this age system may only read 48MB memory.
(32 + 64 =4Cool

Or a correct combination of memory sizes are needed.
(64 = 16)

Bill
.

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Computer Model, max RAM
May 23, 2005 10:02PM PDT

My computer is an IBM APTIVA but I do not know what model. The computer does not say, not in CMOS, systrem properties or even on the case.
I do not have the manual either.

If the computer were to only have 48MB max RAM, which it may or may not, then why would it only detect 16MB of the 64MB Ram when only one 64MB Ram is installed, and not 48MB?

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Why.
May 24, 2005 12:51AM PDT

Because the socket and the electrical signals that address the memory only support 16M of the 64M stick.

That's as simple as I can state it.

Bob

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64MB RAM
May 24, 2005 7:31PM PDT

But when the 16MB and the 64MB RAMs are in it detects 32MB from the 64MB, more then 16MB like you said the computer was only capable of reading from a 64MB RAM

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Check, please
May 24, 2005 9:27PM PDT

IBMs tend to mark thier systems very well with what they are. Check to see if decal/sticker on backside. If none, remove cover as some system used a 2nd cover over the backside and/or remove just to access the insides. Inside, should be a large decal showing the specs and/or jumper setting, etc, plus maybe the ram setup possibilties. If none of this works, then visit IBM support website. I suspect offhand, your system uses ECC type memory, and unless *all* are similar won't work unless or won't be recongized. Also, being an old system, there are ram limits that such systems supported back then. Last, it maybe possible once you truly ID the system that a bios update(s) may help further in improving ram acceptance. Also, IBM labels thtier ram, look for an FRU# sticker, then again under IBM support research that number to spec what it is and thus all ram should be similar. Same for the IBM mtrbd. itself as a last resort to ID system it is used in.

tada -----Willy

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Computer Stats
May 25, 2005 5:06PM PDT

The IBM APTIVA is model 2161-E64, S/N: 90 A8PX1, I just never took notice of the sticker under the slide down cover.
16MB of RAM is specified on the sticker so a 32MB RAM was later installed.

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MAX RAM FOUND
May 25, 2005 7:39PM PDT

The maximum RAM supported by the IBM Aptiva 2161-E64 is 64MB. RAM type- SDRAM DIMM 168pin.
I found this on www.ramfinder.com
So why won't the computer recognise my 64MB RAM?

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M/B design dictates RAM placement and size
May 26, 2005 7:20AM PDT
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Ram history
May 26, 2005 3:07PM PDT

Just guessing here...

If your system has 2 ram slots and the max. supported ram is 64mb, then that's 2-32mb ram sticks when fully populated. Of course less mb ram was common like 4, 8, 16mb for win95 based systems. Once, win98 got into the picture, newer systems supported w/new h/w got beefer ram installs. This was a growing acceptance as the computing world moved on.

tada -----Willy Happy

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Nothing has worked yet...
May 26, 2005 5:21PM PDT

Exactly as the title says...

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It did work.
May 26, 2005 9:07PM PDT

You just can't accept that there are incompatible parts out there. And that you have such.

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So it did
May 27, 2005 4:29PM PDT

The RAM is compatible, the computer just maxes out before the full RAM is recognised. Another 32MB would work fine as Willy said.

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Unsupported memory configuration
May 27, 2005 5:08AM PDT

as mentioned by others....

Look again on the back of the cover. It may list proper memory size and postion. As a WAG 2/32 for 64 -> 16/32 for 48 -> 2/16 for 32.

Found manual
Tho it does not list the memory configuration. Nor was I able to find anything at IBM.

Bill

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Sticker
May 27, 2005 4:31PM PDT

The sticker only tells me the original stats of the computer, not how much it can handle

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Replacing DIMM.......
Jun 3, 2005 10:04AM PDT

Go to: www.crucial.com. They have a program which will scan your PC and tell you exactly what RAM is right for your machine.