Adding New Memory to the GA-K8N Pro motherboard made by Gigabyte

[a.w.]

Recently I ordered two 512MB DDR PC3200 (VS512MB400, two of them in the package) memory from Newegg.com to add to the 512 MB DDR PC3200 I had. My motherboard is a GA-K8N Pro by Gigabyte.The memory is compatible with the motherboard as listed on the Corsair Memory webpage. However, when I install the memory, they will not work. I get a screen coming up saying something about memory test, and to press esc to cancel, delete to run bios, and f9 to help, or something like that. None of those options work(as in, I press the buttons and nothing comes up - the screen stays the same) and I am forced to shut down. This screen looks like a DOS screen. I called Ibuypower tech support (I bought this machine Christmas 2003 from them) and the foreign man suggested only installing one new strip of memory at a time. I took one of the two new strips out and the machine booted up, running at 1024 MB. "Great," I thought, "now I can add the third and it will work." Nope. So then I tried all possible combinations of two strips - both new strips work by themselves (in combination with the 512 strip I've always had) in both the 2nd and 3rd open slot, but whenever all three strips are in at the same time it comes up with that DOS-like screen. Is there anything I can do? If not, I will probably end up sending the memory back to Newegg and buying a single 1GB strip. Should I update my motherboard drivers? Is there something to do with the BIOS? (I have absolutely no clue about anything with the BIOS. I have never touched it and would have no idea where to start.) Is it just not gonna work? Please, if anybody out there knows what to do, I'd love to hear it.

 

 

I am not very technically-gifted. Please excuse me if I am hard to understand. If anything needs clarified or more information is needed, please just tell me and I will get back to you ASAP.

 

Thanks.

[Yellowbeard]

What you are seeing is a limitation of the system you are running. THe Nforce 3 chipset on your MOBO can only address a limited number of ranks of memory. You can watch the MEMORY BASICS presentation here for more helpful and technical info. What this means is that your current memory is all likely double sided (DS). Look in your manual and you will find that you can run a maximum of 2 DS DIMMs in that system. If you want more than 1gb of memory you would need to purchase 2 x 1gb DIMMs as they would consist of either 2 ranks if they are SS (single sided) or 4 ranks if DS. This would fill 2 DIMM slots and also place less load on your memory controller than any 3 DIMMs which would be a good thing.

 

Also, when you mix different types/specifications of memory they are likely built with different ICs. It is not a good idea as this can invite instability or even cause the system to not boot at all.

 

Mike.

[a.w.]

Thanks for the quick response. What do you recommend I do? Would it be best just to return the two-pack of memory and buy a single 1GB strip? It sounds like there is no way to make it work with 3 strips of memory.

[Yellowbeard]

Sorry, I edited my post during the time you replied. I listed the wrong info initially but the idea is the same. You cannot run the combination of memory you have. And, keep in mind that you "might" not be able to run a 1gb DIMM with your existing 512mb DIMM. It may simply not work and it is hit and miss. The "safest" route would be to buy a Value Select 2048mb kit of 2 x 1mb DIMMs. Then, you could keep your 512mb DIMM as a spare, find another use, or sell it. However, if you buy a single 1gb DIMM, you "might" get lucky.

 

Good luck, Mike.