Retro: pc2700 and pc3200 in Presario

[Lethe]

A retro question:

 

I upgraded memory in another machine and took out a 512 DDR PC2700. So I wanted to stick it in a Presario I have with Athlon 3000+ processor running XP Pro. The Presario has existing 512 RAM, which turned out to be 512 PC3200. So I wanted to upgrade the Presario to 1 Gig.

 

Here's what happened:

1. Put the PC2700 in the empty slot. So the PC3200 is in one slot, the PC2700 in the other. Computer boots but doesn't see both, just one. Result: Says it has 480 (less than 512 because it has integral video) rather than 980+

2. Pulled both and put the PC 2700 in the slot the original PC3200 was in. Now it only has the 512 plus an the empty slot. Result: Computer boots and finds the PC2700.

3. Put the PC3200 in the empty slot. Result: Computer won't boot.

 

What is happening? Isn't the computer supposed to find both 512's and run at the slower speed of the PC2700?

 

Is there a way to get the computer to recognize both DDR's at the same time?

 

Thanks.

[Wired]

What is the part # of your memory? How To Read the Memory Label

 

Did you confirm it's compatible with the Corsair Compatibility Site?

[Lethe]

The Compatibility Site says PC2700. The memory in there was PC3200 and worked fine. The PC2700 in the machine now works fine. I have read that if you put one of each it should work but just use the slower speed. Is this not true? Or, Is there something I should do to make it work?

 

Thanks.

[Wired]

Without specifics, e.g. the part # and the specific Presario model #, there's no guarantee.

 

There's more to memory compatibility than just the speed. Assuming the sticks won't have issues w/ each other, yes, you should be able to run the PC3200 stick @ PC2700 speeds, but there's just too many variables to consider without more information.