RAM problem with 939 chipset

trhis is strange..the computer will only start up if there are 3 ram sticks in the slots..wont work with one or 2
or 4...
does anyone know what the problem could be?
also when the comp does start up, it only reads 525 mb ram or something, while each stick is actually 512


any help?
ps..its an emergency (time wise)
!
thanks in advance

Test each stick individually. Make sure the stick goes into the right slot. Run memtest for at least 8 hours on each stick and see if you get errors.

might have to look into updating your bios with latest available! or as TomK said, test each stick individually...

i did test each stick individually. the system does not start up with only one stick
it starts up with 3 or 4 however
???
i know..
anyways im in a time rush regarding this, what do you suggest i do?
it starts up with 4, but only reads 512 mb ram
instead of 2gb

???
thanks

Are you 100% sure you're putting the RAM in the correct slot when you are inserting just one stick? Try inserting each stick in each slot individually. As was posted earlier, try updating your BIOS. If that doesn't work, contact your motherboard manufacturer.

By the way, could you please post your system specifications so we know exactly what we're dealing with.

chainttech 1689 motherboard
939 chipset....4 RAM slots
athlon 3000 1.8 ghz
radeon vid card 128 mb
ultra ada 80 gig
Serial ata 160 gig
e-mu soundcard

i have 4 - 512 mb ram chips...which i insert into all 4 slots
(if there is only one or 2 inserted, te comp wont turn on)
yes i tried ALL combinations
with sticks individually and all...only if there is three or four the system starts up
the problem is, it only reads 512 mb ram!
i will try to update the bios now but that shouldnt be the problem because i just got the product?

also, i installed windows, and setup everything even with that problem of only have the reading of 512 mb ram, but now i have an error, but can't reinstall windows because during the startup disk reading, it always finds missing files?

i know,,,,sounds like horrible bad luck..i guess it is
:S

thanks for any help

also, i just downloaded the new update for BIOS (that supports 4 gigram) this might fix the problem???
anyways, its a .bin
how would i execute this to update the BIOS?
thank you

The motherboard manufacturer should include instructions on updating the BIOS. Updating the BIOS on my DFI LanParty UT Ultra-D involved creating a boot disk and clearing the CMOS.