Upgrading RAM question

[bargepole]

Currently have installed 2 x 256MB PC2700 333MHz 184pin.

Now I've been to the crucial site and it says I can install PC4000 DDR500 as well as 2700/333. However crucial also say I have 3 memory banks on my motherboard, when I only have 2, so I don't know whether I can believe the crucial scanner.

Is ther any easy way of working out what memory you can install or should I just stick to 2700/333?

Motherboard in MS-6701 (Medion), processor is Pentium 4 2.6ghz

[adamhornsby]

Be extremely carefull, ive recently upgraded my ram, and the computer is frequently locking up, and has trouble firing up.
Hopefully i'll be able to get it fixed, but i strongly advise not to do it yourself, despite it been easy to do, i would recommend getting it fitted by a expert, that way if anything goes wrong they will be held responsible

[pauln90]

This motherboard is also known as the MD-5000 and the recommendation is that you should use PC2700 memory.
Hope this helps.

[bargepole]

Thanks for replies.

Nothing physically difficult in changing RAM, I've done it before, the difficulty lies in choosing the correct RAM, so it's either playing safe & sticking with PC2700/333 or going for a higher spec ie PC3200/400 that I've seen the 7 day shop selling,
right number of pins, just not sure if will work with my motherboard.

[adamhornsby]

Maybes you could help me then Bargepole, why is my computer locking up and seizing, is it defective memory
do you reckon or is there too much in the computer and it is the right memory type?

[bargepole]

Well when your computer was working ok, before your memory upgrade, what type of memory was installed ie in my case I have PC2700 333MHz.

Did you replace your memory with same same type (2700/333) or did you go for a higher spec.

How much have you increased the memory by?

Go to the Crucial website and run their memory scanner:_
http://www.crucial.com/uk/?gclid=CNqP697m6ZACF QKVMAodnANbQQ

If all else fails try putting the old memory back and see if your still having problems

[adamhornsby]

thanks for the advice, but we were handed the memory by the technician in the store, we've tried altering the memory configurations, putting the old back in, and with the temporary work station it worked fine, even when all the memory was installed, as soon as i connect it back to its home, it goes funny again. I have had a few error messages and even blue screens yet i cant think what would be causing it?

[rojash]

bargepole , I think the crucial scanner is getting confused about your board because MSI do an in-house and an OEM version. The OEM version may not implement all the options.

However what it says about the RAM is true for any board using DDR RAM. Putting in memory with a higher speed rating will be fine (you won't get any speed benefits, but it will work fine and is probably easier to source). You should of course not mix and match with your existing memory, but replace it.

[bargepole]

Thanks for that rojash, it's just that I can pick-up the 3200/400 for nearly half the price of the of the 2700/333.