Adding RAM not working

Hi, I have a 350 mhz Intel Pentium II with 128 mb of RAM (PC 100), IDE hard disk drive (6,47 gb). I installed a second hard drive (19,98 gb) recently and it work perfectly. My OS is Windows 98 SE.

Today, I added a new module of 128 mg RAM PC 100 DIMM CL3. But my computer do not recognize it. I remove the first module and put the new one in the first slot alone, and it work fine.
I shut down my computer and I put my old one in the second slot but the computer still don't recognise it. Everything run normally but I still have only 128 mg of RAM. The manufacturer (ValueRam (Kingston)) web site say that "updating the BIOS may resolve this problem ".

This is my BIOS informations:
Program: Unicore BIOS Wizard Version 1.8
Program: Unicore Chip Detect v0.72 2000.03.10
BIOS Date: 12/10/98
BIOS Type: Award Modular BIOS v4.51PG
BIOS ID: 12/10/1998-i440ZX-W977TF-2A69KPCEC-00
BIOS Eval: TL-ZX31 (18 December,1998)
Chipset: Intel 440BX/ZX rev 3
Superio: SMC 665GT rev 2 found at port 3F0h
Superio: Winbond 977F/AF rev 0 found at port 3F0h

Can you tell me if they are right ? If so, where can I find an update for my BIOS ?

 

You may be trying to mix parity and non parity memory - a no go situation. Also, go into your bios and look to see if ECC is enabed or not. If it is, try disabling it as a work around. Incompatability between two or more different modules is not uncommon.

 

I have had this exact situation before with the same motherboard chipset (440BX), two sticks of RAM will work individually but not together, it was solved with a BIOS update.

 

I disable ECC with no result. I still have 128 mb RAM.

To update the bios, do I have to purchase it or can I find it on web for free? If there is something I'm afraid of, it is the BIOS.

 

You can look for a bios update at the mfgs support site, download the bin file and a bios flashing utility, make a floppy and do it yourself - however - if you ***** it up, you could wind up unbootable. If you want to buy another chip with the newer bios, you can download the bin file and send it to jack at badflash.com along with your order for a new bios chip. Check out his website for details and options. Highly recommended!

www.badflash.com

 

Sorry, but what is the mfgs support site ? Also, to check the good bios update, do I have to search for these specifications:
Award Modular: 12/10/1998-i440ZX-W977TF-2A69KPCEC-00
I'm very very afraid to "wind up unbootable"
I wonder why I did'nt purchase a module 256 mb RAM instead.

 

I may well be that the two Mem Chips are not compatable with each other. I have run into that myself. One or the other by itself was fine but the two would not work.

But in another machine they would work. Go figure

It just might be that one 256 would be better. That is what was suuggested to me when I bought this new MB. I already had two 128 chips and they were from the same maker. And also they are the two that would not work together.

Even if made by the same maker but at different times it could still make them incompatable.

I ran into that with 72pin Simms.

RAM can be very touchy.

BillyBob

 

Thanks everyone,
Since I'm too affraid to "play" with the BIOS I'm going to buy a new 256mb RAM module. I hope it won't be necessary to come back in this thread, even if you all are very kind.

Thanks again for your help.