DDR/SDRAM???

> As for the 200 GB harddrive, if you are intending to put it in this
> computer
> I doubt, based on the speed of RAM used, that the motherboard's BIOS can
> recognize any harddrive larger than 137 GB. It is undoubtedly an older
> BIOS.

how can i check if the MOBO's bios supports drives larger than 137 Gb?

can this limitation be fixed by loading in the latest BIOS version?
 >> Stay informed about: DDR/SDRAM??? 

On Wed, 12 Oct 2005 13:30:49 -0400, "Zed Rafi" <dg DeleteThis @sf.net>
wrote:

>Hello NG,
>
>I'm confused.
>I want to buy an extra 512 Meg of RAM for my girlfriend's computer.
>
>I ran AIDA32 to check whicg type of RAM compatible with the MOBO. It tells
>me that i have PC2100 DDR SDRAM. It also seems that memory speed is 266MHz.
>If anyone would please like to double-check this info, the MOBO is a
>Gigabyte GA-7VM400M.

Forget about what AIDA tells you, your board chipset
dictates what it can use and for that board you should get
PC3200 memory, even if your memory bus speed is currently
lower than 200MHz/DDR400, because PC3200 is not just
"backwards compatible", it is actually the same memory as
lesser PCxxxx grades except guaranteed to be able to run
faster too, giving it more stability margin and more
potential to reuse it later. It also doesn't hurt that it's
about the same price as lesser memory.


>Also, if the mobo takes various types of RAM, can i install different types
>of RAM in the computer or is it preferable to stick to same type of RAM?

You can mix n match and even if you tried to buy *same*
memory you had, after time has passed you'd still
essentially be mixing and matching memory because (by any
reasonable odds) it wouldn't have the same lot of chips on
it as your current one does. If the memory isn't stable
it's same situation as always, return it to reseller or try
to make bios memory timing adjustments.
Run memtest86+ to check stability before ever booting
windows or other operating system after any memory changes.


>
>what do you guys think of "Generic RAM"? Must i absolutely avoid it? What's
>a reliable brand for value RAM?

yes it's best to avoid generic, the gamble is hardly worth
the minor price difference between generic and on-sale
value-grade name brand memory. Plus, if you had a dozen
systems and the generic didn't work in one there might be a
chance to swap some memory around so all systems are happy,
but when targeting one system alone it is more prudent to
have greatest odds of success, since the merely cost or time
of returning a product can easily exceed a price difference.

>
>Also, i want to buy a 200 gig IDE hard drive. Any brands you think i should
>avoid? I've had a bad experience with Maxtor drives (back in the days when a
>16 Gig hard drive was considered to be super slick)

There is no reason to avoid current makes or models based on
failure of a different model. All manufacturers have minor
issue from time to time, and random failures. What
happened to a 16GB drive would have no bearing on today's
maxtors. Even so, without reason to choose a specific drive
you might consider a Seagate as their 5 year warranty on
their basic drives is longer than other similar brand
offerings.
 >> Stay informed about: DDR/SDRAM???