problems with ram, after cleaned computer?

Question

hi i recently cleaned out my computer with compressed air,and took out the ram to check it so can buy another 2x512mb of same 1for the orange slots. i also took out the graphics card to clean it

after putting it all back in, my computer started making beeping noises on boot up. i knew that meant the ram or graphics card wasn't put in correctly but sure i did, anyway after taking them out again both the card and ram. computer then booted up to my relief lol

but then after few hrs of using it the computer started making loud whirring sounds and then blue screen and crashed.
the unusual sound returned to normal i gather was the fan and may be to do with my cleaning it but not sure

for past week its been ok thankfully, but then done scan with crucial and few other diagnostic progs and its sayin i have 2 x 512mb now in slot 1 and 3 i have 4 slots 2 green and 2 orange. but the thing is i have 2 x 1gb pc2-5300 in these green slots and cant work out why its reading only 2 x 512mb

i right click my computer and it says 2.0 gig so thats fine, but not sure why crucial etc is giving me diffrent results. oh and just tried taking out ram and putting back in and got the beeping sound on boot up so took ram out and swapped them over and tried booting again but normal boot up wouldn't happen there was no beep sounds then tried again and its booted ok

but crucial and sisandra still says same

thanks ahead for any help
computer specs:
Mainboard
Manufacturer : MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
MPS Version : 1.40
Model : MS-7091
BIOS : 07/26/2005-Grantsdale-6A79DM4IC-00
Chipset : Intel 915G/GV (Grantsdale)

Answer 1

The crucial online scanner is usually accurate but not always. When i run a scan with my Laptop it says that i don't have any ram installed at all

{:-) but my other computers test accurately. I would believe what your computer tells you.



Sometimes after long periods of time the contacts in the empty memory slots become oxidized and won't make good contact with the ram modules. On used memory sometimes cleaning the contacts with a pencil eraser can help but there is no easy way to clean the slot contacts. Usually by installing and removing the memory a few times can accomplish that. It seems like that's what is happening with yours.



Be sure that it snaps in tightly and that the clips lock into it.

Answer 2

To benefit from the performance advantages offered by dual-channel systems, you should install memory in identical pairs. Installing a kitted pair is the best way to ensure that your modules are identical, right down to the chip count.



A kitted pair is recommended 2x 1GB. Populating all 4 memory slots isn't recommended, nor is mixing various memory modules.

Answer 3

Run your 1-3 slots with 1GB ; only. You are running a dual channel mobo and it requires all slots to be equal inorder to run all four positions.