It shows that you 64 MB of ram available.  That is because Windows and other running programs (Virus programs, games, etc.) are using 128 MB already.  You can free up extra Ram by opening the Task manager with ctrl+alt+delete and closing down some processes.  I know you have to leave the explorer.exe file open, and other files that could vary system to system.  When you shut one down and don't know exactly what it is, then play around with things like search the web, play a game, write a text document.  See if there is any problems incured by closing a process.  Worse case scenerio is you will have to restart the computer if something goes wrong.   Your 190 MB of RAM is there, just most of it is being used already.  If you have the mony, I'd at least replace the  64 MB chip with another 128.  Also, you can go to www.crucial.com and find out what the maximum your system can hold should you want to go even higher.

you don't have to "activate" the ram.  When it is installed, the computer automatically sees it, otherwise it would still show you only having 64 MB even after adding the 128 MB chip.   I just remembered something...What type ram did you use.  I'm assuming SDRAM because you said yours only had 64 MB new.  For the new RAM, was it PC-100, or PC-133?  If you had PC-133 and added a -100 chip to that, then I think the old chip will only run at the -100 speed (100 MHz).  The memory is only as fast as the slowest chip.

I'm not sure of the old/new types of ram other than SD was the old standard, and DDR is the current standard (Double Data Rate RAM- faster speed rating).  Maybe the computer shops were referring to this.  I'm not sure.  If it is  PC-133 SDRAM, you shouldn't have a problem with it.  How much did you pay for the ram, original price, i.e. paid $50, but with $30 mail in rebate type thing.  The reason I ask is that places like pricewatch have dirt cheap ram. 256 MB for less than $20 for example.  I guess those dirt cheap ram chips are usually high density which isn't as compatible with most systems, where as low density that runs around $40-50 will work on most everything.  There is also other factors that can play in to that, and the crucial website has a lot of good info on the different specs of a ram chip.  It could be that something in those chips you bought is not compatible with your computer even though it is supoosidly the sam type of ram.  At worst, you could have also been at the physical limit of the computer.  Mine will only handle up to 512 MB of SD ram, and yours could be lower.  Again, crucial might be able to show you.  I don't work for crucial, and I'm not saying to buy from there or not.  But I'm saying they have some good info on there to help steer you in the right direction.


P.S. How do you enter selective startup?  I've been wanting to go through that to see if I can free up any more of my measily 128MB of ram.

Thanks to both you guys, for your time and trouble.

First, to change startup go to "Start" and hit "Run", type in "msconfig" and select "startup". You will get a list of boxes to tick or un-tick for programs you want to have on automatically when the P.C. is turned on. I have only
"DXM6patch, CMEsys, and System tray activated as I'm told these have to be left on (do they?). Then restart.
I also have Virus off during Simming.

As for the RAM chip business. The P.C. was bought with a single 64mb strip. I then bought a 128mb strip and added it to the 2nd location (there are only 2). The P.C. immediately reconfigured itself to read 190mb in all the right places and it seemed I could play CFS2 all day long at medium settings without a problem (with the above "selective startup").
I noticed about 3 or 4 months ago CFS2 was getting slow and I was about to try CFS3 anyway so a couple of months ago I went to a different shop to get a 256mb or at least another 128mb to replace the original 64mb, and use with the 128mb I had already installed, so I would have 384mb or at least 256mb.
I got a 256mb SDRAM chip that looked exactly the same as the 128 (and 64) that I was using. I installed it expecting to get 384mb (128 + 256) but the system told me there was only 128mb. I tried the 256mb on it's own and it didn't work. I put the 64mb and original 128mb back in and it returned to 190mb (where does the 2mb go?). Anyway, I took it back and said it didn't work, so the bloke in the shop installed it in front of me into P.C. on display and it worked. He said there may be a RAM limit, so I got a 128 (so I could have at least 256mb). I installed that and it didn't work, even on it's own without the 64mb, so it wasn't a limit problem. (256mb was Aust$75 and the 128mb was $55).
I went back to the shop where I bought the original 128mb that I added 12 months before and he said that I was unlucky because Compaq, even in their newer packages (mine is not even 2 years old), they used "old style RAM" and the strips are not made anymore. He said I might get a 128mb (as high as old styles go) second hand. (So this means the most RAM I can ever have in this thing is 256mb if I can find one).
This is why I need to know what it's all about, so I know what to ask for and know what I'm buying to fit my P.C.

The P.C seems to have gotten even slower recently, so I think I need to take it to a repairer because I think something must be inherently wrong, regardless of the things I've mentioned above. Maybe that's when I'll find out what's going on, as a repairer should know about it and be able to explain it to me.

Now you know the whole story, the chips are both 133's, I have added chips of different and the same size (even single, they don't work), it's proven not to be a limit issue and the above indicates how it all came about.

Thanks for all your help. If I do learn what is going on (especially this "old and new" style RAM, I'll post about it so someone else will know. Thanks again. 

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I haven't a clue what any of them are. I have some of them in my list but not running.

The way my Selectice Startup came about was when I spoke to Compaq when the Mrs 1st bought the P.C.

CFS2 was too slow, so the Technician I spoke to said to delete or keep each one as I said it over the phone. It did give me more "available" RAM, but it wasn't enough, so that's when I originally added the 128mb chip to make it 192mb. That fixed the slow CFS2 problem. 

Check this page:

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

It will give you some idea what these startup progs do and which ones you can do without.

Yeah, I know Congo. It's been time to upgrade ever since the Mrs bought the bloody thing.
As soon as I started Simming, I found that out.
But, Alas, the funds are not there at this time. Maybe shortly.

One interesting thing though. You say I have a DX 6 patch in startup. I see it and don't have it on. I have DX 9 installed with the latest driver, so I don't know why it's there.
Where is this DX 6 thing located and how would I get rid of it? Thanks.   

I just spotted this long thread. I don't bother with selective startup. Try this little utility named EnditAll2.
http://home.ptd.net/~don5408/toolbox/enditall/
Run it before using the sim to safely shut down all unnecessary background applications. One click saves all that messing about. Very handy when installing new software too.

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Sorry congo, you're right, I did have it on but when I went to the site suggested by WebbPa, I disabled it as it didn't even show up in the list of "codes" that you could determine their function. Since it's been off there has been no trouble. Below is my system with DX9 installed. Do you ahve any idea why this DX6 patch is there (is it a remnant of what the syatem came with originally). I beleive my system was auto matically updated with DX8 when I installed CFS2 over a year ago.

So is there any way to get the DX6 patch out altogether.
I have done a system search and there are no folders or files that include DX6 or any variant spacing etc.   

Thanks

Thanks Mate!