266 + 400 ddr Memory problem

[Ukas]

Hi,

I installed new 512mb 400 ddr on board, which had old 2 x 266 ddr sticks in first two slots. Bios seems to recognize new stick ok, but windows xp pro reboots every now and then. In the shop they told that my motherboard (Asrock) supports it, and new memory should run as 266 w/o problems. It doesn't.

So, is there a simple and semi-difficult way to fix it?

THanks in advance,

Ukas

 

[King Alexander]

Logically, the new memory should run at the speed of your old one's.

I had a problem in the past, with 2 memories with the exactly same performance BUT from a different manufacturer, and it turned out that they couldn't co-operate even if they worked fine when I had only one of them to run each time.

 

[Strontium_Dog]

Unfortunatly, mixing memory sticks can be a bit hit and miss. I've been running identically spec'ed sticks, from 2 different manufactuers with no problem at all. But, King Alexander mentioned having a problem doing the same. It's like that, it depends on the memory, the board, what phase the moon's in and whether your Aunt Geraldine likes roast Parsnips.

I would, as a test, remove the old sticks and run it for a week or so. See how it behaves with just the new one. If it's still re-booting, take it back to the shop, as it may be faulty.
If it runs ok, the memory's are incompatible, leaving you a couple of options. You could ask the shop to exchange for a differant manufacturer (it DOES MATTER, don't let them tell you it doesn't). You could simply try to return it, for a refund (depends on your laws there, here they would'nt be obliged to, but probably would, for credit). Or simply leave the old ones out, as the new one should perform better.

 

[Neomega]

I don't know of any motherboards that can even run two different speeds of RAM at once.

 

[Ukas]

Thanks guys. This is something I was afraid of, a weird incompability issue. I can change it if it's really broken, but I doubt they will chance it to a new one if it's good. Well, luckily memory is cheap these days.