Question/Advice on RAM Upgrade

I have upgraded (added more RAM) to my system. In the MB Manual the specs for the amount of RAM that can be installed on my MB (Elite P6BAT-ME) are somewhat confusing. The first part of the manual states that the three DIMM slots can accept 256MB sticks to a total of 768MB of RAM. Farther on in the installation section of the manual it states that the three slots will take only 128MB of RAM to a total of 384MB.

I have installed a 256MB in slot 0 and a 128MB in slot 1 for a total of 484MB. The BIOS recognizes both sticks OK but shows only a total of 384MB which is the limit stated in the installation section of the manual.

Given that one stick of 256 is cheaper than two 128's is there any harm in leaving the 256MB and 128MB sticks with the MB only recognizing 384MB's of RAM?

Is there a way to make the MB recognize the entire 484MB other than a BIOS upgrade? (Don't really want to do this )

This box is getting dated but given the demise of Win98 support and fewer applications being written for 98, I am looking to upgrade to XP in the near future. Not too worried about lightning speed with XP but just want it to perform reasonably well if I install it as this computer is only used for internet access/e-mail and some word processing. No heavy gaming/photo interp. etc.

See specs below for processer etc. Note that the RAM is now 384MB not 192 as shown.

BTW there is a noticable increase in performance with the increase from 192 to 384.

 

Hi Christer, yes you are right, I must have had a brain fade when adding up the ram. I took the 64MB stick out but will put it back in and see what total I get. Looks like the MB will possibly take more than 384MB. Let you know.

I probably should sign up for a mathematics beginners course!!!

 

Uptdate, Success!!

Thank you Christer for setting me straight on how to add up RAM

Started getting my Old Age Security in Sept. so I guess the brain fades in proportion to the number of OAS payments you get.

I put the 64MB stick back in and lo and behold in now have 448 MB's of RAM.

Now to decide whether or not to update to XP. Processer is only 500mhz and some of the other hardware is pretty slow, so may not be too wise an idea. Much of my software (Office 2000, etc.) came pre-installed so I don't have a install disk. I copied the intsall files to a CD so may be able use that. I would be looking at upgrading the Win98SE to XP in order to save the existing applications. Have to ponder this one a bit.

 

A Different Perspective

At 500Mhz, you are on the cusp - yes XP will run, but it will run slowly - Considerably slower than Windows 98.

I would suggest that you assess the cost of a new motherboard and processor as a minimum and weigh this against continuing to put money into a system that has served you well in the past but may be fast approaching the end of its useful life with regard to "upgradeablity ". Similarly, buying more memory for your existing machine may make some sense with regard to its current performance, however, that memory (assuming PC100 or PC133) will probably not be useable on a newer motherboard requiring DDR or DDR2. On balence, it becomes a question of when and where one draws the line - you can easily wind up in a predicament of throwing away money while trying to save a buck.

I'm not saying don't do it - but rather - evaluate your options before you go too far in this regard.

 

Thanks Rockster2 for the advice. I am leaning that way, to buy a new system, but for now it's not in the cards $$$. My current 98SE system works just fine for what we use it for, but am finding now that many new applications are only being written for XP and up so will eventually have to bite the bullet and purchase a new system. Also without Win98 support from MS no more updates/security fixes are coming out. Not really a problem for me as I am careful where I surf/download etc. and am on dial-up so not constantly online. When and if DSL comes this way is when I will probably look into a new system.