Computer memory question

[Ummon]

I have a 733mhz PIII (XP) with a 512mb stick of PC133 memory. I have another stick that's 128mb. If I put in both, only the 512mb stick registers. (I see it in the bios.) I tested all three memory slots with each stick. All slots are functional. I added a 256mb PC100 stick to the 128mb PC133. Both register together. But none will with the 512mb stick and in the bios it says 'not initialised' for the other two slots not being used. Does anyone know what to make of this? Is this processor worth fussing over?

[gonzo90017]

Well 512mb might be the limit of what the motherboard supports.

[DrumAnBass]

Yah I have an old Compaq iPac PIII that will only recognize 512mb, so my guess is that is the case here as well...

[Ummon]

Yah I have an old Compaq iPac PIII that will only recognize 512mb, so my guess is that is the case here as well...

Hmm. I don't know. I only have one 256mb PC100 stick, and several 128mb, so I can't test...although another PIII doesn't seem to like PC133 at all, nor the 256mb PC100 stick. I seem to recall some of them maxed out at 384?

[protokatie]

Hmm. I don't know. I only have one 256mb PC100 stick, and several 128mb, so I can't test...although another PIII doesn't seem to like PC133 at all, nor the 256mb PC100 stick. I seem to recall some of them maxed out at 384?

Remember, it is almost always the motherboard when it comes to this sort of thing. Try to find the number on the mobo and google it. Im sure there is a site that will have the info you need for it. If you are dealing with a 733 P3 and PC100/PC133 memory, am I to assume this is a computer from around 1998/1999? You may not even be able to go above 256 or 512 Megs on it, we too easily get used to the idea these days of throwing in 3.5 gigs of ram, back then the OS didnt even use 100 megs of ram (Win ME if memory serves only needed 32 megs to run)


EDIT: http://www.windowsreinstall.com/install/tips/winme/windowsmeminspecs.htm

WOW! Less than 7 years from WinME to Vista! And we only needed 32 megs ram back then, and a 150Mhz processor to run it. And not to sound too absurd, but WinME wasnt that much different than vista... Talk about bloatware....

[Ummon]

Yeah, as there was a Gateway serial number on the case, and the mobo didn't have any eye-catching numbers, I didn't get that far. I may just ditch it, it was only $16.