The following memory module was already in the system:

US        BZABW72029   200303

The BIOS memory information was as follows:

I installed the following PNY memory module in the second of the two memory slots in the system.

PNY 512MB
DDR
PC2700
333MHz / 266 MHz
OPTIMA&trade Memory

The following information was on a sticker on the module:

  ASSY. IN TAIWAN

The package had "MD0512SD1-333-BB" on it above the UPC. The UPC was 7 51492 34983 1.

When I booted into Windows and ran winver, it showed "Physical memory available to Windows: 784,176KB".

I ran a 30 minute test of the memory with Windows Memory Diagnostic Beta. No errors were found in the 3 passes of the diagnostic program that were run.

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I also needed to install a sound card, since the on-board audio stopped working. I changed the BIOS settings for the on-board audio support from "enabled" to "disabled". The option is listed under Advanced then Peripheral Configuration in the BIOS Setup Utility.

I checked the Crucial Memory site for information on the memory that the system will support.

The Crucial Memory site providded the following information at Computer memory upgrades for Gateway E-2300 Series (4 DIMM Slots)

Although the memory can be installed one module at a time, the best performance comes from using matched pairs of modules.

Each memory slot can hold DDR PC3200, DDR PC2700 with a maximum of 1 GB per slot.^*

*Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory.

The Crucial Memory site also had the following series of questions and answers regarding memory for the system:

Q: Will my system recognize the maximum upgrade?

A: Possibly

How much memory your Windows OS will recognize depends on which version of Windows you are running. 32-bit versions of Windows will see (and utilize) only 3GB or 3.5GB. To utilize more memory, install a 64-bit version of your OS. More information about OS memory maximums can be found at http://www.crucial.com/kb/answer.aspx?qid=4251.

Q: What memory goes into my computer, and will a faster speed be backward-compatible?

A: DDR memory with support for DDR PC3200,DDR PC2700 speeds.

Because DDR memory is backward-compatible, you can safely upgrade your system with any of the guaranteed-compatible DDR speeds listed below, even if your manual calls for PC1600 or PC2100 speeds. [DDR PC3200 and DDR PC2700 modules were listed below the statement]

Q: How much memory can my computer handle?

A: 4096MB

Adding the maximum amount of memory will improve performance and help extend the useful life of your system as you run increasingly demanding software applications in the future.

Q: Do I have to install matching pairs?

A: Yes

Your system requires that you install memory in pairs.

The system had a 256 MB memory module in Channel A DIMM0. That module had the following information on a sticker on it.:

I put the following memory in the system:

Kingston Technology
Value RAM
KVR333/1GR

The module had a sticker on it with the following information:

The Crucial Memory site indicated that memory must be installed in matching pairs, but I wasn't sure if that applied just to modules inserted in the same channel, i.e., I wasn't sure if I could install the 1 GB module in Channel B, since the 256 MB module was in channel A. I put the new module in Channel B DIMM0. When I powered on the system, I saw "1264MB System RAM" but then received the error message "Dual-channel operation requires identical paired DIMMs installed across both memory channels." I then tried the new 1 GB module in Channel A DIMM1. Again I saw "1264MB System RAM" and the same error message, so I removed the 256 MB module and moved the 1 GB module to Channel A DIMM0. This time when I powered on the system I saw "1008 System RAM" followed by "Keyboard Error" and then "Memory Size Decrease". I powered the system off and on and didn't see the keyboard or "memory size decrease" messages again, though the system did display "1008 System RAM" again.

When I checked the BIOS configuration, I saw the following:

When I selected the Advancecd tab in the BIOS Setup Utility and then chose Video Configuration, I saw the following:

Presumably, the remaining 16 MB of the 1024 MB module is being allocated to the frame buffer, which is why the system is reporting 1,008 MB during the Power-on Self-test (POST) process.

When I booted into Windows and ran winver, I saw "Physical memory available to Windows: 1,030,896 KB".

I had also installed a Dynex model DX-SC51 sound card in PCI slot 1 at the same time I installed the memory. When I checked on the sound card, Windows Media Player reported "Windows Media Player cannot play the file because there is a problem with your sound device. There might not be a sound device installed on your computer, it might be in use by another program, or it might not be functioning properly."

Under the Device Manager, I saw "Unknown device" listed under display adapters, but no new audio device listed. When I tried to install the Dynex driver, I saw the warning message "Undetermine Card! Please do not click cancel on device manager!" Clicking on OK there produced another warning message "OS not support!"

I opened the case and checked the sound card. I found it wasn't seated fully in its slot. I reseated the card. When I rebooted and logged in as the adminsitrator, the Found New Hardware Wizard appeared. I inserted the CD that came with the sound card. The wizard indicated it found a Multimedia Audio Controller, an Envy24 Family Audio Controller WDM. After the sotware was installed, I was able to play music files on the system and hear sound from the speakers.

I ran a memory test on the new memory module with Windows Memory Diagnostic Beta. I let the test run for an hour and 30 minutes. The diagnostic program completed 22 passes with no errors found.

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I sometimes encounter a problem where I can't see the taskbar at the bottom of the Windows display or the bottom of windows displayed on the remote Windows system due to differences in the resolution for the screen on the Linux/Unix system and the resolution of the Windows system. The problem can be resolved by specifying the -f option when starting rdesktop, so that you get a full screen display., e.g. rdesktop -0 -f -u jsmith 192.168.0.44. But what do you do when you wish to put the remote session in a window rather than have it occupy the full screen without disconnecting? You can hit the Ctrl-Alt-Enter keys simultaneously to switch to a windowed view. You can also use Ctrl-Alt-Enter to switch to a full-screen view, if you didn't start redesktop with the -f option.

References:

1. Rdesktop
   Rdesktop.Org
2. Controlling a Windows System from a Linux System
   January 12, 2006
   MoonPoint Support

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