PQI RAM not working with eMachines computer

[Sharkman]

My friend's computer only has 128 MB of RAM, so we tried upgrade it to 512 (Its max). We got the PC133 RAM (2x256MB), however, when the computer was turned on, all we got was a series of beeps.

p = pause

1 p 3 p 3 p 1

So, is PQI memory incompatible with an eMachines T1220?

[zekrahminator]

I wouldn't be surprised...see if you can RMA it or sell it to someone who wants it. And then I suggest you follow the wizzard here (http://www.crucial.com/store/listmfgr.asp?cat=RAM) and get something that is gauranteed compatible. Just shows you that custom computers ARE alot better then things you buy in a box at Wal-Mart :).

[Sharkman]

I did a crucial scan, and that's how I found out what type it was an everything. The stuff they suggest was almost $50 for 256 though. So he bought $25 PQI RAM. So you think he's going to have to shell out $50-$100 to get 512 in there? Because he doesn't want to get a whole new computer, since he doesn't use it that much.

[zekrahminator]

Well, there are other system scanners, let me see if I can find them for you :). Edit: I think that the memory here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820153101) would do just fine. If you can't afford it, I reccomend mix-and match, like what I did with Darth Flatulence. One stick of stock Micron, one 256MB stick of Kingston, and one stick of 128MB PQI.

[Sharkman]

I was told by tech support that the mother board only supports 2x256, so that was why they said the original 512 (I tried PQI 512 before this) didn't work. Also, the mobo only has 2 slots. So you think adding 256 that crucial recommended to the already 128 he has would work? And would there be a noticable different between 384 and 512 MB RAM?

Note: this computer is SLOW. It takes 15-20 minutes from startup to where you can do anything.

Crucial recommends this (http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/viewscanbyid.asp?id=3763872D31D926C3&tabid=AM#ram).

[zekrahminator]

Yes, that would be very nice. What are the specs of his computer? RAM isn't the only thing that makes a computer slow, maybe we can help make his computer fast :D.

[Sharkman]

Right here. (http://emachines.com/support/product_support.html?cat=Desktops&subcat=T-Series&model=T1220#)

He has a bunch of Spyware and Anti Virus stuff on there, I'm sure that slows it down. (That stuff alone takes several minutes for all the popups to leave after he logs on)

[zekrahminator]

Before you buy any more RAM, be advised that the i810E chipset CANNOT SUPPORT PC133 SDRAM! You need to get a PC100 kit. Now lets see, you need to tell your friend to be less paranoid :laugh:. To increase performance, only run one or two spyware scanners, run them intermittently, and disable their "resident protection". You also only need one Anti Virus protector, so find the best one, delete the rest, and check the "resident protection" settings. You probably won't see any viruses unless you're looking for them or do stupid things.

[Sharkman]

Someone told us that, but it alread has PC133 RAM in it, and that works. :wtf: And crucial said 133, so that's what we got. (And before we get anymore, he's gonna return the stuff we have.) So why does this 133 work and other stuff doesn't?

And I'll suggest getting rid of one of the anti virus things he has. It's not like he uses the computer a lot anyway.

[zekrahminator]

PC133 works...strange. I just remember seeing i810 and an incompatibility with PC133, so I might have been thinking of another board. PC100 would be SAFER, but if Crucial says it'll work, then it probably will. Big companies have nerds like me to do that kind of research, except those nerds get paid well and are fired if they're wrong :laugh:.

[Sharkman]

Alright, he's gonna return the ram he has now, and once that's tekn care of we'll see what we're gonna do from there.