[Southend]

I'm trying to fix my Brother-in-laws computer which he tells me went wrong during a Windows Update, to the point that it now won't boot up because it has a currupted XP Installation. So I first tried to do a Windows repair and after a while this crashed with a blue screen. So I did a Memtest86 and it found many errors, so I deduced the memory needed renewing and was probably the cause of the problems in the first place.
The problem now is I installed the new Memory and the computer just intermittently 'beeps', nothing would appear on screen at all. Tried both slots, still the same. So I then put the old 512Mb memory back, which got me back to where I am now, but I can't do a Windows repair as it will just crash.

Now what I suspect is that I have bought the wrong memory but the only thing looking at the spec that I may have got wrong is the one I bought is [/u]ECC Registered:

KVR266X72RC25/1GD 1GB 266MHz DDR ECC Registered CL2.5 DIMM Dual Rank, x8
http://www.valueram....mp;SUBMIT1=Find

Should I have a NON-ECC one?

I'm not sure what the make[u] his Motherboard is even though I found the pdf manual on-line 'L7VMM2' 462-pin.
http://www.ecsusa.co.../manual_l7.html
Never hears of ecsusa and can't find it in any 'compatibilty listing in Kingston'?

The Mobo spec. states: Supports DDR upto 200/266MHz DDR SDRAM Memory module. Accommodates 2 unbuffered 2.5v 184-pin slots. Each slot supports upto 1GB with a total maximum capacity of 2GB.

Any help would be much appreciated.

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http://www.memory-up...x?modelid=11100

Check that link out to verify the information is correct, but according to them it has to be NON-ECC RAM. I hope this helps.

By the way if the beeps you are hearing are one beep followed by 3 short beeps, then it is definitely memory.

Let me know how you make out.

Good Luck

[jaxisland]

http://www.memory-up...x?modelid=11100

Check that link out to verify the information is correct, but according to them it has to be NON-ECC RAM. I hope this helps.

By the way if the beeps you are hearing are one beep followed by 3 short beeps, then it is definitely memory.

Let me know how you make out.

Good Luck

[Southend]

Thanks jaxisland,

It is actually a 2 second beep then 2 second silence then 2 second beep etc, not loud. Anyway it looks like I should have bought the non-ECC one ~ bah. I now know what make the MoBo is 'ECS', thanks to your link. He must have an older model as it only has 2 slots and is PC2100, I don't think it goes to PC2700.

I don't suppose I'll get my money back on the one I bought now it's been opened and powered up :-(

An expensive learning curve!

Thanks once again.

[jaxisland]

A lesson most of have learned at one time or another. I hope it works out for you and let me know how it goes.

Good Luck!

[jaxisland]

http://www.pcguide.c...rrParity-c.html

That is a small overview of the difference between ECC RAM.

Have a godd day!

[Southend]

Thanks once again, I'll let you know how I get on, hopefully before we go on holiday.

[Southend]

I bought non-ECC memory from Maplin's today, installed and Memtest86 error free.

Unfortunately, Windows repair seems beyond repair had two half attempts now it just sits with the hour glass with a black screen behind. I think my only solution is a complete fresh install of XP, so bang go's any settings he had. I have copied the whole hard disk, so no data/photo's etc are lost, I've even copied to a DVD.

Such is life .

[Southend]

All back and working again now, a clean XP install was what it needed, probably got rid of all the dross as well.

Thanks for your help.