Re: Problems upgrading the RAM...

Kerry Brown wrote:
The 32 bit versions of Windows are limited to 4 GB. The motherboard uses some of this address space for itself. What you are seeing (other than the rebooting) is normal. If you want to use 4 GB of RAM you will have to switch to a 64 bit version of Windows. It's a very common question. It sometimes pays off to use a search engine for questions like this.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=windows+xp+4+gb&btnG=Google+Search&meta=


The rebooting indicates a problem with the RAM. The new RAM is either not compatible with your old RAM and/or the motherboard. It is possible changing some of the settings related to timing in the BIOS may fix the problem.


How much RAM shows up, when you boot the computer with a Memtest86+
test floppy ( a free download from www.memtest.org ) ?

Knowing the motherboard make and model number, the RAM make and model
number, might reveal more issues with the setup.

To verify the memory, you can use memtest86+ and test the new sticks
one at a time. Two complete passes error free, is enough for a first
test. There is a pass counter at the top of the screen. If all sticks
look good, then you can spend the extra time to test all four sticks
present in the machine at the same time. (It might take 8 hours or more
to test the full 4GB.) Due to memory bus loading, the test results will
be different with four sticks, versus one stick, so testing all four
is also an essential test.

But you can pop the memtest86+ floppy in the machine, while the four
sticks are in there, just to get a quick look at the memtest86+ screen.
Since the hard drives are not being used, you can pop the floppy and
press the reset or power button, whenever you want.

Paul
.