Kitz Forum
Computers & Hardware => PC Hardware => Topic started by: 22over7 on February 04, 2018, 11:05:00 AM
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I am trying to rehabilitate an elderly PC for an elderly lady who retains most of her marbles, but is house-bound. Digs email, photos, etc.
An issue arises, about PC3200 vs PC2700 memory.
Her computer has two 184pin DIMM slots, ond one actual DIMM, labelled PC3200U-30331-C1 (DDR, 400, CL3). It runs (XP, I'm afraid) like a comatose snail.
A label on the back of her computer identifies it as a Packard Bell iMedia 3034. Numbers on the motherboard suggest it is a Gigabyte D33006.
Many people claim to offer compatible memory for this model: eg Crucial http://uk.crucial.com/gbr/en/imedia-3034/CT408426 (http://uk.crucial.com/gbr/en/imedia-3034/CT408426), offering 184-pin 1GB modules: DDR PC2700 • CL=2.5 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR333 • 2.5V • 128Meg x 64 . I'm contemplating, worriedly, putting in 2 such 1GB PC2700 DIMMs. Is this unsafe or inadvisable?
Googling (eg. http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=339089 (http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=339089)
leads me to think that the PC2700 DIMM's will be a bit slower (333 vs 400), but safe, and worthwhile.
Any advice would be much appreciated. (Further topics: SSDs, how to inveigle old ladies onto windows 10, etc)
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Hi 22over7
Personally I would not advise anyone to spend any money on an old pc and go straight to a supported computer
Your going back though to times of old, and in distant past memory, most M/B were backward compatible with only a few exceptions
Many thanks
John
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@d2d4j
Of course I agree with the general principle of going straight to a supported computer.
In this case though, for reasons I don't want to go into, I have to pretend it's cost me nothing.
As it is, I noticed someone reputable selling two "used" 1GB PC3200 DIMMs via amazon,
like the 256Mb DIMM she has, for £6.98. I can't even buy two pints of drinkable beer for that!
If they work, well, I hardly have to pretend. If not, I'll gladly shell out £30-ish more on new PC2700 DIMMs.
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By sheer coincidence I have just scrapped an old PC and removed the memory sticks. I have 2 PC3200U-30330 512MB DDR 400Mhz CL3 that you are welcome to have if they are of use to you.
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That's very nice of you @licquorice.
I might contact you midweek-ish, should the sticks I've just ordered turn out not to work.
If I don't, thanks anyway for the kind offer.
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The memory sticks I ordered from Amazon (DrMemory Kingston 2GB (2x1GB) DDR-400 PC3200 Non-ECC Desktop PC (DIMM) Memory RAM 184-pin)
worked fine.
Kitz member @liquorice very kindly sent me, paying postage himself, 2 PC3200U-30330 512MB DDR 400Mhz CL3, and
2 sticks that appear to be 1GB, and entirely suitable (16 86U808 512Mb chips on a 184 PCB board) -- I didn't try them. I also have
the original stick (PC3200U-30331-C1 256MB, DDR, 400, CL3). If any of these are useful to anyone, contact
me by PM, and I'll post them, passing on liquorice's generosity.
P