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Pages: 1
Upgrading RAM
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Posted by: uh...ok
Alright... I'm trying to upgrade the computer at my parents' work...
Some guy built it for us (bad idea, but he did it very cheaply), but apparently he only included 32MB of RAM, which is okay for running the program we need... but we can't run PCAnywhere simultaneously with any other programs on it.
Anyway, to see what kind of RAM I needed for the upgrade, I opened the case up, and to my surprise, found 4 72-pin SIMM slots (2 filled) and 2 (or was it 3?) empty 168-pin DIMM slots.
My question is, is it possible to be using SIMMs and DIMMs simultaneously? Or should I just get 2 more 16MB SIMMs so I have 16s evened out across the board and leave the DIMM slots empty? [Or should I ask whether the DIMM slots WORK! LOL...]
And if I DO get SIMMs, should I get a 2 16s, or 1 32?
I also checked on SIMM prices... they're about 8 bucks for 16MB sticks and 20 bucks for 32MB sticks. (but then again, considering I got a 128MB-DIMM for 18 bucks that's not cheap).
-uh...ok
Posted by: Ion Silverbolt
Really it depends on the motherboard manufacturer. I used to have an old ASUS Socket 7 board that had both (TX97E) and it was capable of running both.
If the manual says nothing about it or says don't use both, then don't try using both as there could be somekind of voltage conflict. Especially if there's a switching jumper for RAM voltage.
I would trade the SIMMS in for one or 2 nice sized DIMMS. Besides the fact that DIMMS can hold more RAM, they are also a lot faster than SIMMS. If you use both, your memory will run at the speed of the SIMMS which is a lot slower. (Although still a lot faster than hard drives).
Memory is dirt cheap. Grab a cheap 128 meg stick or more and let it fly. You don't need fancy RAM if you're not going to be running your memory above 66Mhz anyways.
Posted by: Chako
It is generally not a good idea to mix SIMM and DIMM on the same motherboard. It can cause all sorts of problems, and Ion is quite correct on that aspect. It might work, but there is no gain. I concur with his assessment. Trade in the old SIMMs and go with DIMMs all the way. You will not get very much for them, and you will probably be giving them away anyhow, but at least memory is dirt cheap right now. DIMMs are cheaper to buy then SIMMs due to supply and demand.
Posted by: Kdr Kane
I'm in agreement. Get new DIMMS. Look up the motherboard manufacturer's manual first. Make sure you are not buying more than the board can use. And to make sure what you get is compatible.
Posted by: uh...ok
See that's the problem, I'd use the manual if the computer came with one!!!
All I see are 4 SIMMs and 2 DIMMs... I was thinking that the board may not support 32MB sticks for the DIMM slots (hey, it may be THAT old)...
But the computer runs a 200+ MHz processor, so it probably should support 32MB DIMMs, shouldn't it?
Cause right now I need the computer to have 64MB... it only has 32 MB right now from 2 sticks of 16MB SIMMs.
-uh...ok
Posted by: uh...ok
Oh and if I really were to switch to DIMMs, since it's running on SIMMs right now, would I have to mess with a jumper cable to make sure the board does not fry?
-uh...ok
Posted by: Canis Lupus
I once fixed a neighbor's old computer which had a combination of SIMMs and DIMMs in their mobo ... I added two DIMM memory to it and it worked without any issues.
And I don't think I ever heard of a mobo being fried just coz of memory sticks 
With memory being as cheap as it is right now, I'd recommend just buying two 32MB sticks and trying them on for size and see if the mobo can take it ... besides, if they don't work, you can always return them the next day...
p.s. Hey UO, did you get the shirt yet? 
Posted by: Ion Silverbolt
It depends on the motherboard manufacturer really. If it is an ASUS board, it probably can support both. However, some boards with both memory types contain a shared voltage jumper which needs to be set to one or the other. Since DIMMS run at 3.3Volts and SIMMS run at 5 volts, having it set to one or the other wrong could result in some cooked memory, or just plain instability. The DIMM(s) will probably fry if your motherboard sets the voltage to 5 volts. Which some older boards do by default.
Some boards may only operate one type over the other. For example, the DIMMS may show up but the SIMMS won't. It really is a gamble unless you can find a motherboard model number to do a search for on the Internet.
Odds are they probably will work together as the later Socket 7 boards were made to handle both at the same time. But the best route here IMO is to sell the slow 60ns SIMMS for some 10ns DIMMS. 
Posted by: Chako
Uh Ok….what chipset does your board use? Is it LX, BX, etc….that will determine how much memory you can use. Now, you said you do not have a manual for it…have you identified the motherboard? If not….take a look at the board and see if there is a name or some numbers silk-screened on it somewhere. Pay special attention on the edges or between the ISA/PCI slots. Even better, you can find your motherboard BIOS string ID.
Go HERE for instructions on finding it on this computer. Once you have it, go HERE to use it to id your motherboard if at all possible. If you find a part number, you can also use this link to identify your board also. Once armed with the proper ID, you can go visit their web site to see if they have downloadable manuals or scour the web for something useful elsewhere. Hope this helps you any!
Posted by: uh...ok
Hehe, who would buy SIMMs nowadays? 
And Chako, I do know how to look into the chipset... guess I shoulda done that when I was checking to see how many pins the board had for RAM huh? Doh! I'll do it sometime heh... thanks for the pointer.
And Laggy... RAM is quite expensive at the stores near where I live... so no one-day test kinda things...  I get all my RAM via online ordering... I probably COULD try a half-hour drive [someone driving] to some small shops in a few SF districts, but those places are scary. 
-uh...ok
P.S. Yes I got the shirt, but it's so big! Had to let it into the washer and hope it comes out a bit smaller for the right fit. Should work out perfect though, cause my All-Your-Base shirt was also CafePress and XL size...
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