Topic: Memory upgrade problem

[JK]

Hi
I have an Athlon based PC running windows ME.
The PC has 256M of PC2100 RAM. I purchased another memory module
of 256M to bring the PC upto 512M of memory. When starting the PC
the new memory size is recorded as 512M, but windows will not run. It keeps falling over with error messages saying that certain files are missing or corrupted. The PC will run with either of the modules in place, in any of the three slots available, but if both are inserted it will not run windows.I remember once seeing this problem in a PC magazine, when the
answer was down to the PC power supply. My PC supplier says
that my PC has an AMD approved power supply. Any help and assistance would be appreicated.

[Simon]

Firstly, without being funny, are you certain that the second memory stick is compatible with the first?  I'm no techie, but I think certain different types of memory can clash.

[Dack]

Thought that was more down to the windows ME 512M Limit.

ME (in fact all the 9X windows) have a bug with virtual memory allocation and the VCACHE process. This usually manifests itself anywhere from 512M upwards of installed memory (actual amount varies depending on a few other things like if you have an AGP graphics card).

Solution?

1. Limit the amount of memory that ME can use.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;253912&Product=winme
2. Change OS

[Adept]

2. Change OS

Funny how often that answer comes up.

(Isn't it Lona )

[agua-moose]

Hi
I have an Athlon based PC running windows ME.

there's your problem right there. XP pro will sort that out, assuming you have the correct memory installed.

[JK]

Hi
Thank you all for you advice.
SIMON my new memory is correct
DACK Tell me more about this 512M limit. My PC vendor says that this is incorrect and I should be able to run with 512M. The Microsoft database shows two error messages for this problem. My PC will not even load windows to show these messages. I do get
errors messages but they change on each reboot attempt.
ADEPT If I change my OS should it be windows? There is a regular
page in a PC magazine, with the author saying his XP system
falls over most days.

[Sandra]

I have heard of problems with having too much memory in 98 and ME JK but was surprised it happened as low as 512mbs, I thought it was that it wouldnt support 1 gig but the article Dack found suggests it can be problematical as low as 512mbs.
Have you tried the workaround from that article ?
It seems to negate the advantages of having the extra ram though if you are going to have to restrict the VM though  
I think that most people would say that XP is far more stable than 98 and much more so than ME, also XP doesnt have that same ram limitation until around 2 gig, if my memory is correct (no pun intended)  

[JK]

Hi Sandra
Thank you for your reply.
It's nice to visit a site where all the people help one another
My PC vendor says that I should be able use 1GB on my ME system.
The microsoft knowledge base says that you get low memory messages due to problems with VM. My problem is that windows will not run at all with 512M. Also I am unsure of how to do  the changes. I remember seeing a similar problem in a PC magazine
problem page. The answer was down to not enought power for the
extra RAM. Should I try to upgrade the power supply?. Do you know
anyone who would be able to exchange two 256M modules for one 512M one, that would answer the question. As you say windows XP is more stable than the earlier ones, but I have old hardware and suspect that there will be no new drivers available if I upgrade.
Thank you all.

[Sandra]

I think that the VM is in the same place on ME as XP but it may not be.
In XP its in Control Panel/System Properties/Advanced/Performance/Settings and on the Advanced tab in there.
If its not similar for ME let us know and I am sure someone will pinpoint it for you  

[Sandra]

Ignore the above for ME  

Its here :

To alter the virtual memory settings:
Right-click the My Computer icon on your desktop, and then click Properties.
Click the Performance tab.
Click Virtual Memory, and then click Let me specify my own virtual memory settings.
Click the hard disk that you want to use for virtual memory, and then select the minimum and maximum amounts of virtual memory.
Click OK, click OK, and then restart your computer.

  :doggie:  

[Dack]

Maybe worth you putting both chips in and testing with
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp#top

Its a memory test program from Microsoft to diagnose problems with memory chips. It runs from a floppy or CD.

Also worth checking the bios settings - try changing the CAS speed of the chips to 3 (it may simply be that you have different speed chips).

Alternatively to set the VCACHE etc. in ME you need to:

Run msconfig
Go to system.ini
Expand the [vcache] (there should just be an empty space below it)
Click the space below it then click the edit button
Type: maxfilecache=512000
Apply this & close down your PC
Install the extra memory & restart PC

The fix Sandra posted was to alter the amount of hard drive space used for virtual memory which is what is used AFTER the ram has been utilised.

[Lona]

ME is problematical over 512KB and in this you must also take account of memory in any graphics card. The workaround involves opening the system.ini file and adding a line under [vcache] that reads

MaxFileCache=523264. (less than 512K)

The link for additional information is as follows:-

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;253912
Hope this of help JK  

[JK]

Hi All
Thank you all very much for your very kind replies.
Will try out your suggestions.
Will let you know the outcome. I think the best outcome
was that I never purchased the extra ram module in the first place.Then I had no need to bother you all.

[Simon]

I think the best outcome was that I never purchased the extra ram module in the first place.  Then I had no need to bother you all.

Not at all, JK!  The best outcome is that you found us!