New DDR not Working

I'm hoping for some guidance...

I'm running a P4 3.4Ghz system with an Asus Dual Channel MoBo.

It's been happily running for the last 4 years with 2x 512MB Geil pc3200 DDR RAM (Dual channel Kit)

With the drop in memory prices over the years, I decided a few months ago to treat myself to some new RAM.
I bought 2x 1GB Samsung pc3200 DDR RAM...

When installed the system just won't boot, suggesting I've bought the wrong kit... any advice?

Before you ask, I've checked the new memory is;
400Mhz
Non-ECC (I think - as only 16 chips on each board not 18)
184 PIN
Installed in the correct DIMM slots


I've now left this too long to return the stuff to the shop I bought it from. I suspect it may be a density issue, but was hoping someone here might help me shed more light on the problem.

What's the motherboard model number?

What voltage did your old sticks run at?

What voltage do your new sticks run at?

That would be one of the first things I would check, if the newer sticks run at a higher voltage, up the vdimm (Memory voltage), then install the new sticks.

Asus P5GD1 Pro

The manual for the P5GD1 says that double sided x16 modules are not supported. This might mean a stick that has 16 chips, or maybe 16 in one bank? Unfortunately the words bank and side are used interchangeably when they do mean different things, technically.. Anyway..

There is a BIOS that apparently improves memory compatibility, so flashing to the newest one would be a good start if you're not using it already. Also, what happens with just the new sticks in? How about if you clear the CMOS?

I'm fairly sure that the Geil memory I'm already using is double sided (8 chips on each side), hard to tell under the shielding, but it looks that way.

I had seen the updates and had thought about trying that also; but I'm fairly sure I've updated the BIOS since that compatibility update - but I'll give that another crack.

I've tried all the combinations with the new sticks... all with the same dead result :-(

First up I'll try the latest BIOS and check on the voltages (as suggested earlier) - I'll report back later.

Thanks for all the help...

After having flashed my BIOS to the latest version, I thought I'd try the sticks again.

The new BIOS had some effect... the machine began to boot, but then very swiftly went straight to BSOD!!!

I have spent all weekend trying to recover my XP install and failing - so am now part way through re-installing everything!

Needless to say the sticks are now on eBay, and up to quite a healthy price already.

Thanks for trying to help... the computer need a good clean out, anyway...