Wrong mem count on Intel i430vx chipset mobo

[pc tech 282]

Have a P166 on a mobo w/Intel i430vx chipset and recently upgraded RAM to cope with Win98se. Prior to the mem upgrade I was using two 8MB, and two 4MB EDO SIMMs and mobo saw all mem correctly. The mobo supports SDRAM as well, so I purchased two 32MB PC-66 modules, but the mobo only sees 16MB total instead of the 64 it should see. Has anyone had this type of issue with a mobo utilizing the same chipset? All help appreciated.

[DANIMAL]

So you only have the 2-32 MB 66 mHZ sticks in your board right now? no Simms?

Sounds to me like you got sold some DuD/wrong sticks. or your board has bad slots. Try moving them around, exchange slots, try one at a time.

[pc tech 282]

Yes that is correct currently installed is two 32MB 66MHz sticks. Tried one at a time (sees only 8MB this way) and in both of the two SDRAM slots. Mem works fine on another system (sees all 64MB).

[exholt]

Hello,

Is your motherboard come with SIMM and DIMM slots? If so and you are using simms, you may want to take out the simms and just go with the DIMMs to see how they read. Also, if it is a VX chipset, it may have problems Cacheing RAM above 64 megs anyway.

Try this and any other suggestions that may come your way and tell us how you make out.

[DocPC]

Has to do with single-sided or double-sided. Most likely you purchased double-sided (chips on both sides of the PCB). You will probably need to trade it for single-sided.

[Ruslan]

Originally posted by DocPC:
<STRONG>Has to do with single-sided or double-sided. Most likely you purchased double-sided (chips on both sides of the PCB). You will probably need to trade it for single-sided.</STRONG>

I cann't agree with that. Only
double sided 16-chips 32Mb DIMMs or 8-chips single sided 16Mb DIMM will work in that motherboard .Refer to Your manual,though. You didn't say anything about your motherboard model,by the way... <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">
I afraid,what that motherboard isn't worth money and time You have spent. Buy better motherboard instead. <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[pc tech 282]

Exholt: yes the mobo comes with both SIMM and DIMM slots. I am only using DIMMs currently (two 32MB 66MHz). The original memory was SIMMs (two 8MB EDOs and two 4MB EDOs). I'm aware not to mix the two types of mem's. Thanks, though for mentioning!

DocPC: no, only single-sided chips on the DIMMs. Thanks for replying!

Begining to believe it's the mem slots (DIMMs)...

[Ruslan]

Originally posted by pc tech 282:
<STRONG>DocPC: no, only single-sided chips on the DIMMs. Thanks for replying!

Begining to believe it's the mem slots (DIMMs)...</STRONG>

That's the main reason,why Your DIMMs are not recognized by motherboard. Both DIMMs are working (as 16Mb,but working!),so, both DIMM slots are good. Latest BIOS update can solve some compatibility issues,but anyway, as I have said, You should use double sided 16-chips (it's also very important thing) DIMMs. Good luck! <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[Ruslan]

By the way,are You sure,what You have got PC-66 DIMMs?
If it's 8 or 7 ns DIMMs - it's PC100/PC133 DIMMS! So far as remember,I've seen only few single-sided PC-66(10 and 12ns)DIMMs. <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0">

[sdrawkcab]

I agree with some of the posts here, as there are two issues with these chipsets.

1 - Single vs. Double - sided RAM
2 - PC66 vs PC100/PC133 RAM

A LOT of these boards would not take PC100 RAM, even after applying latest BIOS. Also, some needed single sided and some needed double sided RAM, and most would not see any DIMM larger that 32MB no matter what type you had.

Bad chipset all around, I threw a few of these away out of frustration about 4 years ago.

[xsrvx]

Originally posted by pc tech 282:
<STRONG>Have a P166 on a mobo w/Intel i430vx chipset and recently upgraded RAM to cope with Win98se. Prior to the mem upgrade I was using two 8MB, and two 4MB EDO SIMMs and mobo saw all mem correctly. The mobo supports SDRAM as well, so I purchased two 32MB PC-66 modules, but the mobo only sees 16MB total instead of the 64 it should see. Has anyone had this type of issue with a mobo utilizing the same chipset? All help appreciated.</STRONG>

Yes I have seen that issue before with a VX chipset MB and since there was no bios upgrade we ended up upgrading the board to TX chipset.

This was many years ago and the board we were using was from QDI.