Where can I find help for Windows XP Pro?

[Sub Zero55]

I have a HP M1070N Desktop Media Center. 10 years old. I decided to upgrade my RAM. It had 4x 256 installed. I went to Crucial.com, and used the RAM scanner. After, it found what was installed, it showed how much more RAM I could add. A total of 4 GB. So, I ordered two 1GB sticks. After the new RAM arrived, I installed the 2 new 1 GB sticks. The slots were two different colors. Two were blue and two were black. I removed both old 256 sticks from the blue colored slots. Then, replaced with the 2 new 1 GB sticks. I started the computer and it started to go into windows, but then the screen went black. A message appeared.

Here's what it reads:

"Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press any key."

I restarted the computer again... same thing. With another restart, I tapped F1 to enter BIOS setup. There I checked the boot order. The first boot device is the HDD. I have only one HDD.

Since it's an HP build, I suspect the system is locking me out from making any hardware changes. But, I don't know for sure.

The only software I have is the HP recovery 2 CD set. I do not have a retail copy of Windows XP Pro Media Center 2002.

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks, in advance!

Sub Zero

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Look in your manual and see what it says about RAM slot color.

I would have guessed your method would work because slots of the same color are usually a particular channel; and the other color is for the other channel.

But I don't think that is universally true.

All you can do is experiment otherwise, such as:

Pull all RAM and try one new stick in a given slot. If you can boot, put the other new stick in the same color slot. If you can't boot, try one new stick in some other slot.

Etc etc, by process of elimination until you have tried all possible combinations. Since you know the old RAM works, I would concentrate on the new RAM to try to confirm if it is good or bad. It is possible it is bad or incompatible, although the Crucial configurator is highly reliable.

After you get 1 or 2 of the new RAM sticks working, then add in the old ones, one at a time.

That PC is 10 years old, so anything is possible. It may want the same size stick in all 4 slots, which the Crucial tool may not have made clear?

It is also possible that a BIOS upgrade might be required to use more than a certain amount of RAM. I'd go to HP's web site and pray I could find some support info or downloads. Considering the age, you may not have any luck.

 

[seavixen32]

As this is a Windows 7 forum you're likely to get better support from specialist Windows XP forums that are around and Google is always a good start.

Off the top of my head you could try setting the BIOS to its default settings and you could contact HP to see if there are any BIOS updates for your computer.

You haven't said whether your version of Windows XP is the 32-bit or 64-bit version, but in any event you probably would have been better off with the full 4GB comprising of 4x1GB RAM modules for matching purposes, but you do need to find out whether your motherboard can handle that amount bearing in mind the age of the computer.

What was the exact configuration that Crucial suggested?

Also, did you ensure the RAM was properly seated?

 

[Sub Zero55]

OK, I understand. I will remove all Ram sticks, old and new. I will first try installing one new stick. Then start the computer. If it does'nt work I will remove it and try the other new stick. This computer is very hard to work on. The Ram is buried under an internal personal drive housing which the HDD is attached to it's underside. I can't figure how to remove it without taking the whole machine appart. So, what I did was remove one power connector from the main power board. And pulled the harness out of the way, as best I could. It will take some time to get in there. But, I'm going to try right now. Thank you, for you help! I will post back once I have completed this RAM stick shuffle.

 

[Sub Zero55]

As this is a Windows 7 forum you're likely to get better support from specialist Windows XP forums that are around and Google is always a good start.

Off the top of my head you could try setting the BIOS to its default settings and you could contact HP to see if there are any BIOS updates for your computer.

You haven't said whether your version of Windows XP is the 32-bit or 64-bit version, but in any event you probably would have been better off with the full 4GB comprising of 4x1GB RAM modules for matching purposes, but you do need to find out whether your motherboard can handle that amount bearing in mind the age of the computer.

What was the exact configuration that Crucial suggested?

Also, did you ensure the RAM was properly seated?

I did try Windows XP Forums.com After I signed in there I found I was the only member there! LOL

Coming here I found plenty of life! So, thought if you guys were not to busy with windows 7 questions, you could help me a little bit with my old computer.

The system is a 32 bit. I'll try to set BIOS to default, as well.

The amount of RAM Crucial suggested to add was either two sticks of the same size or all four to the 4 GB max amount. 1 GB x 4= 4GB.

I made sure the RAM sticks were properly seated. Had to push really hard and heard a snap. The little white locks, at the ends of the sticks, swung into the stick where it is notched. Confirming the sticks were locked in.

 

[marsmimar]

CAUTION - Due to the amount of possible configurations, some motherboards might not be able to properly configure memory if the array of DIMMs contains a DIMM that is not from the same manufacturer, has a different CAS latency value, or has a density value (high and low used together). Make sure all DIMMs meet the requirements of for the motherboard (the information listed in product specificaitons), have the same part number, and from the same manufacturer and meet the basic memory requirements for your motherboard. If not, make sure that you can return the memory if it is not recognized by the system after you install the new memory.

Upgrading Memory (RAM) HP Media Center m1070n Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

 

[Sub Zero55]

Ok, just finished up. Pulled out all Ram sticks and added one new stick. Turned on the computer and it worked! Next, I added the another new stick and again it continued to run Windows. So, finally, I decided two add the two old sticks back in, and started the computer. It works! Checking My computer, properties, I now have a total of 2.5 GB., seems to run faster, now! Is there anything else I could do to that old computer to make it a little faster. Within reason, of course. Would going to 4GB make it faster? It would cost another $53.00 delivered.

I have another question if you guys don't mind. My video card is an analog type, I'd like to change it to a digital card. Because my new monitor is digital. But, not spend very much for the change. Any idea's there? The card in there now is a 128 MB Radeon x300 series. Is there a way to find out if it will run a 256 MB card? And what would be a good replacement?


The main board is an ASUS Puffer. It does not have a PCI Express slot, only the regular PCI slot.

 

[strollin]

Glad you got it working. Even if you found an active XP forum, it wouldn't have made much of a difference since it was a hardware issue and didn't have anything to do with the OS.

 

[Sub Zero55]

Glad you got it working. Even if you found an active XP forum, it wouldn't have made much of a difference since it was a hardware issue and didn't have anything to do with the OS.

Your obsolutely correct. maybe I should'nt of said anything about the OS I have. LOL

Thanks, to all of you who helped!!!

I guess something did'nt properly seat or I left something unplugged.

But, it's working now!

 

[seavixen32]

Pleased to hear it.

You could try adding more RAM, but be aware that your 32-bit operating system will only recognise 3.25 GB max.

 

[Sub Zero55]

Pleased to hear it.

You could try adding more RAM, but be aware that your 32-bit operating system will only recognise 3.25 GB max.

Another $53.00 just to get 1.25 more Ram would that be worth the investment?

Thanks, for you comments!

Sub Zero

 

[PaulSoebekti]

It would help when you open several programs simultaneously. Don't expect doubling of speed though ...
I would invest in memory rather than digital graphics card, if it was my system.

Paul

 

[Sub Zero55]

It would help when you open several programs simultaneously. Don't expect doubling of speed though ...
I would invest in memory rather than digital graphics card, if it was my system.

Paul

With a Digital Graphics Card, would'nt that give me a better picture? Or is it just a watse or money?

Even though my PC is ten years old, it's still runs great. The only part I've had to replace is the Power supply about 4 years ago. I only use it to surf the Internet, and play music.

The TV card is analog, so it does'nt work anymore since TVs went digital. And I don't use the modem card, either. Should I remove them? Would that help the system run better?

Thanks, for your help!

 

[PaulSoebekti]

Yes, digital graphics card would improve contrast and therefore sharpness - a plus, if picture quality is important (such as photo editing etc.). I have two computers still running XP Pro with no complaints.

Removing the TV card and modem would help the system (it doesn't have to keep checking if it's in 'ready' mode. Keeps the inside compartment cool too!).

Paul

 

[F5ing]

Might be helpful to check the BIOS to see if RAM is being shared with video. A new graphics card with onboard RAM may not only give you a better display, but also free up RAM for the CPU.

 

[strollin]

For your stated purposes of "surf the Internet, and play music" I doubt you would see any difference with a new video card. More memory wouldn't be much help in those activities either.

If it was my money, I'd save the $53 towards my next system.

 

[Sub Zero55]

Thanks, for all the advice!

I pulled out the modem and analog TV cards, as suggested.

Staying with the amount of memory I have, as suggested.

Still considering buying a digital graphics card for my new monitor.