I've been trying to add RAM to my system. I add the stick, turn it on and an error message 0232: Extended RAM failure at 1A comes up. I go into the BIOS and it shows the RAM i've added. I exit BIOS and save. It then re-starts and comes up with an error message that I have a missing or corrupt file in System32\Drivers\NTFS.SYS. It then says I can repair the file using the Windows XP start up CD. I've tried that and i've not had any luck. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks for your help!!

First let me welcome you to the forums . Can you give me the motherboard name and the type of ram SDRAM, DDR, etc. And first thing I would try is to flash your BIOS you would be surprised how often that solves my problems. but only if you know how. I think most BIOS are recoverable these days but I'm not totally sure and I don't know what type of system you have. So if you know how to do this I would try it, but if you don't know how or have never done it read up on it first. Like I said most BIOS are recoverable these days I know mine is but if it isn't and something goes wrong it's a big problem I've messed up a motherboard or two that way . But if you would get me those spec I'll try and help out.

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If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker that came along would destroy civilization.

Yeah a little more info would be helpful. Have you tried removing the stick again & rebooting? How much memory have you got when it worked, and how much are you trying to put in? The BIOS may not be able to *use* all the memory, but it can *recognise* it.

Brand names will help tracking down hardware compatibility problems too.

Garht Farley

maybe your ram sticks are conflicting with each other, Maybe Brand X and Brand Y dont go together, Try chucking in a dfrnt brand ram..

Worth a try

Thanks for your reply, I don't know how to flash the BIOS but i'll do some reading and see if I want to try. My system is a Gateway. If it would be easier I can e-mail you my serial number and you can go to Gateway.com and see all of my systems stats. Here is what I know: It's an Essential 450SE. The motherboard is a Jabil BX Motherboard R0. It's upgradable to 384 MB RAM. I just finished a phone conversation with Gateway customer service and now i'm confused even more. He said it needs DIMM instead of SDRAM even though the 64 MB that came with it says its SDRAM in the BIOS. Well, thanks so much for your help and I hope you can find out some correct information for me. Jim

Thanks everyone for your help! I know it can be fixed. Have a great day> Jim

If I'm not mistaken there is SDRAM SIMM and SDRAM DIMM. Make sure that what you have is SDRAM DIMM. It should say it somewhere on the package that it came in. Someone please correct if I'm wrong its been some time since I messed with this type of ram.

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If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker that came along would destroy civilization.

I was looking around and found this on Gateways website maybe it will help. this type of memory should work with your system.

Here a link to the page.

Click Here

Let me know if this helps.

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If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker that came along would destroy civilization.

I really appreciate your help. I know enough to be dangerous and thats about it. Now if I can just find my reciepts for these SIMMS. I love the forum, i'll refer my friends with problems to you. Again, Thanks. I've spent way too much time on this and probably talked to 30 people trying to figure out the problem. You solved it in one day I'll come read the threads everyday that i'm home. Many thanks,

Jim

No problem if you ever need help just ask. I'm glad I was able help. If you need anything else just let someone here know.

Later

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If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker that came along would destroy civilization.