Memory Compatability

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This problem is on a HP A367C computer with Windows XP Home OS.

I have an old graphics program, iGrafx Picture Publisher 9, that I have been using since the days of Windows 95. iGrafx sold the program to Corel years ago and it is no longer supported by either company. It is the best program for my purposes and I want to keep it rather than jump to something like Corel Draw or Adobe Photoshop.

My computer came with two sticks of 256 MB memory, totaling 512 MB. It maxes out at 2 GB. HP recommends using matched pairs of ram. I installed what was supposed to be a matched set of 512 MB ram, which gave me a total of 1.5 GB. My system shows it does have the 1.5, and performance improved.

Everything seemed to be working fine and I was happy as a clam – until I tried to use Picture Publisher. It fails as soon as I try to open a picture, or paste anything into a blank picture.

I examined the new memory sticks and discovered that they are not a “matched pair”. One stick has chips on only one side of the board, while the other has chips on both sides. They have the same Centon part number.

Experimentation revealed that Picture Publisher runs fine with either one of the new 512 MB Sticks, but fails if I put both of the new 512 MB sticks in. It also works if I use the 512 MB stick with chips on both sides and one of the original 128MB sticks. If I install any other combination of the four memory sticks, Picture Publisher fails. I have tried moving the memory sticks around from slot to slot on the motherboard. The system correctly reports what ever I have installed.

Can you make any sense of this? I don’t want to have to decide between the additional memory and Picture Publisher. I want it all! Please help me. I am in way over my head.

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It may be a problem with having more than 1GB of memory, not the memory itself. You can test it by installing the program on a computer with more RAM, or trying different memory.

cheers, Paul

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This problem is on a HP A367C computer with Windows XP Home OS.

I have an old graphics program, iGrafx Picture Publisher 9, that I have been using since the days of Windows 95.

I examined the new memory sticks and discovered that they are not a “matched pair”.
Can you make any sense of this? I don’t want to have to decide between the additional memory and Picture Publisher. I want it all! Please help me. I am in way over my head.

First, I’d consider getting a newer graphix program. As you know, the memory modules do need to be matched. Yours supports a DIMM(dual in line memory module) as opposed to a SIMM(single in line memory module). Sounds like you have one of each…I’d email Centon. It’s pointless to get into why some things work with mismatched memory and other things don’t. The size and speed of the memory you need is here http://www.memorysto…ca367cbRAM.html, or at http://www.crucial.com
And be sure to ground yourself before handling those sticks or working inside the case! Static electricity (ESD) can fry the sticks or your motherboard! I hope this helps you.

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First, I’d consider getting a newer graphix program.

Yeah, well. That would be the easy way out

As stated, I am very fond of the program, I have tried Photoshop, and see no advantage to it. I tried going through the tutoriaal 3 times, and each time became disgusted with the non intuitive way it works.

If I must choose, I will choose in favor of the program, not the memory.

But thanks for the reply; you and all the others. I suspect mismatch, but I would have to sink more money in the diagnosis, and because it is not compatable with my other computers, it might be like throwing good money after bad — wait, our government is doing that.

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Yeah, well. That would be the easy way out

I only say that because if it’s that old the day will come, probably sooner rather than later with the way things are progressing, where it’s just not going to work for you anymore and you’ll be forced into a different program. I know what you mean about having a program that you just don’t want to do without, though. It was very difficult for me to migrate to Windows from DOS for that very reason! Good luck!

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Yours supports a DIMM(dual in line memory module) as opposed to a SIMM(single in line memory module). Sounds like you have one of each…I’d email Centon. It’s pointless to get into why some things work with mismatched memory and other things don’t.
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I got all the info from Crucial for the memory sticks I can use before I bought them. I have never experimented with mixing DIMM and SIMM, but I suspect the computer would not boot. Anyway, I have two sticks with the same manufacturer’s part number. Everything except Picture Publisher plays nice with the entire 1.5 GB memory, and I do have this computer heavily loaded with programs.

The other part of your reply rocked me back on my heels. Is it fairly common for programs to fault because of memory problems, even when the OS tolerates it? Just because I haven’t heard of it dosen’t mean it isn’t so.

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Is it fairly common for programs to fault because of memory problems, even when the OS tolerates it?

Short answer…yes…memory problems can cause all sorts of problems with your applications, regardless of wether or not the OS recognizes it. This could very well be you’re problem. It could also be what Paul said in his post…an addressing issue. The fact is that its an older application written for an older OS…much older than what you’re running it on. That in itself is potentially problematic. Throw possibly mismatched memory into the mix and you have a recipe for disaster! Just my opinion.

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Grounding yourself to protect against static does not work if the computer is not also grounded. The best method is to hold onto a metal part on the outside of your computer before putting anything inside the computer. This makes you and the computer the same voltage and touching anything inside the computer will not cause static damage.
To add things to the computer, keep one hand on the computer and reach for an outside metal part of the component. If it’s memory, leave it in it’s anti static bag until you have it inside the computer.

cheers, Paul

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Grounding yourself to protect against static does not work if the computer is not also grounded. The best method is to hold onto a metal part on the outside of your computer before putting anything inside the computer.

Thanks for pointing that out Paul. My fingers aren’t always in sync with my brain! Personally, I always wear a wrist strap when inside a case.

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Thanks to all who replied to my post.

I tried the program on two different computers with more than 760 MB ram. I am now satisfied that the problem results from having too much memory. I don’t know the logic behind writing a program that way, but I have encountered Flash Movies that check for old versions of Flash Player, which can no longer be found for download, and stubornly hang, because they were written in such a way that they won”t accept a newer version.

I also have one program that refuses to run with my normal settings, because it was written to check for 256 colors.

I fall back on the Chinese Proverb – “Expect nothing, then you will not be dissappointed”.

Again, thanks to all.

UT

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I tried the program on two different computers with more than 760 MB ram. I am now satisfied that the problem results from having too much memory.
UT

I going to jump in here just to say that, “too much memory” would not be your problem.
Mismatched or improper type, a definite yes, but too much???

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Wowsers, Viking. 6209 posts! You been busy, hu?

Yeah, I was dubious, too. But it is unlikely that with the several computers used, every one of them had mismatched or faulty memory.

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If you are going to change programs I’d look at the free and good GIMP. It’s a bit like PS, but a lot cheaper. ;-))

cheers, Paul

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You might also try Faststone Image viewer: http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm

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