[ILUG] {OT} Can't mix memories?

[Baldwin_James at emc.com]

Lo John...

1st) Your memory.  
BX boards are probably the most compatible and easy-going of all Intel
chipsets. Did you check the DIMMS? Any chance of you mixing ECC(denoted by 3
extra small chips under memory modules) with non-ECC? Or possibly 8-chip
modules with 9-chip modules?  Also, some 4-Chip 64meg modules(be it single
or double-sided) will plainly not work with 8/9 chips S or D-sided modules.
My advise is, if it dont work, dont use the 2x64's...from 640 to 512mb on a
desktop? Negegable difference in performance/etc...how often will you
utilise even 512mb of ram? (without using Ramdrives/High-end graphics work
and the likes)

Mobo
2nd) You didnt mention what motherboard you are running so, download the
latest BIOS version and see if this improves the max multiplier factor in
your softmenu(if you have one). AFAIK, on average the max multiplier was 8.
Which can give you a PIII 800mhz.  You are right...trying to find a Slot1
Processor will be tough.  You could try secondhand as many guys are jumping
onto the Socket bandwagon, so yo may be able to pick up one cheap(try
boards.ie and wanted section)
If you cant find a Slot1 proc, then you can buy a S1->S370 Slocket
Adapter(notably the best one of these is the Abit Slotkey adapter which has
Voltage and FSB jumper banks).  It will be hard IMHO to find a Socket370
PIII 800mhz in the 100mhz FSB variety.  Check out the approved vendors list
on linux.ie and if they dont have it, then you may need to go to UK
retailers :( ......

Maybe someone on this list may have an unwanted PIII that suits your needs?

HTH,
James.

-----Original Message-----
From: John Gay [mailto:johngay at eircom.net]
I just installed my Valentines Pressie, 2 X 256M DIMM's. As I had 4 X 64M in

before I thought I'd leave 2 X 64M and 2 X 256M for a total of 640M of 
memory. Unfortunately, when I booted tha machine, it booted slower than a
Z80 
trying to run WindowsXP?!? I didn't realise that you could not mix DIMM 
sizes? This seems strange to me. All the DIMM's are 100 speed and I'm
running 
100M FSB on my system. Is this a hardware incompatibility or some kind of 
strange Linux kernel problem I've never heard of?
The next stage to upgrade my system is replace the PII's for PIII's. My M/B 
is a 440BX so it can run PIII's, but it's slot 1 and they are getting hard
to 
find. I need to check the manual for the clock speeds, so I can keep the FSB

at 100M but I know the top speed for my M/B is 667M. Any ideas were to get 
these would be appreciated. And yes, I did check Peat's, PCWorld, Maplins
and 
the usual.