Resolved Added memory and no bootup?

Hi all,

I have a Compaq Evo 510 that I want to upgrade from 1 gb to 2 gb of memory.
I went to crucial.com and they told me to buy this:

1GB PC3200 PC2700 DDR400 RAM 184PIN DESKTOP MEMORY DDR1

Issue is that after I install the memory, the pc will not boot up. Not even begin to boot up. All I hear is 3 distinct beeps and then nothing. The power light stays on but there is absolutely nothing happening. I took the memory out and it boots right up as always. It seems to never hit the hard drive when I try to boot with the extra 1gb of memory in there. It immediately hits a cd drive and then beeps 3 times and that is all she wrote.

The only thing I can think of is the memory sticks not playing well with each other because they are not identical but would that not show up further down the road like after the pc boots up? How is the presence of that memory stick preventing it from starting up?

The memory stick has a sticker that reads:
"DDR 128x8 PC400 1G 2410 "
...which matches up with what Crucial recommended.

Thanks very much,
Jim Lee

Compaq Eve 510

 

Let's confirm it is a compatibility problem...

You don't make it clear in your post, does the system boot with either memory stick installed (old & new) but not both?

 

It boots only in the original configuration which is with the 'old' 1gb stick. As soon as I put in the 'new' 1gb stick no more bootup. Within a few seconds I see my cd drive light up and hear 3 beeps.

Thanks,
Jim Lee

 

It could be the new stick is faulty (it happens), try booting with only the new stick and report back.

Be aware RAM is very easily damaged by static, use precautions when handling it.

 

Turned out to be users error in that I ordered the wrong kind of memory. I just learned about 'high density' memory. That is what this stick is and my ancient Compaq Evo D510 cannot handle that. So I got most of the information from crucial.com but not all. If I had been a little more patient I would have read this text from the vendor which addresses this issue exactly. The high density memory is less expensive so I assume that there are many other impatient folks like me that see 'pc400' or whatever and the price. Here is what he wrote:

"Facts about High Density Ram
This advertisement is for high density memory. Please make sure your motherboard is compatible with this module. It works well if it is compatible with your system. However, typically it is far less compatible than low density. In case, this high density memory you order is not compatible with your motherboard, we can assist you exchange it for a low density memory but on payment of cost differential. "

He sent me what looked like a form letter with all the information about returning it and upgrading to the memory that will work in my ancient mariner machine. So I don't feel so alone in my ignorance.

Thanks to all,
Jim Lee

 

Also.......how do I put the 'Resolved' sticker on this thread?

 

Thanks for the feedback Jim, I incorrctly assumed that because you checked with crucial you also ordered from them (my mistake and I apologise).

For anyone else reading this thread an interesting article from 1ststop.net is worth reading...

High Density Memory Explained

EDIT: I assume you found the instructions to mark as resolved