The technician I spoke with last night told me that "Intel motherboards are really picky about memory". I have never heard of any such thing. When I asked the technician what sort of memory I should use, he told me that I would have to try all kinds until I found something that worked.
I'm just trying to figure out what I should do: take the stuff back first, get a refund, and then send the letter; or send the letter and wait for Corporate to tell the store to give me a refund. Either way I think I'm sure to get the full purchase price back, one way or another.
If I just take it all back and say, "I don't care, I want my money back", I'll get back the purchase price less a restocking fee. Then when Corporate gets the letter, someone there will send me a check for the restocking fee.
If I take the stuff back and they refuse to give me a refund, then I will slightly re-word the letter before sending it....
* * *
Besides all that, there is the issue of the copy of Windows Vista Upgrade I now own. I can't take that back; no one gives refunds for opened software. I can't use it; I don't have a computer which is running either XP or 2000. *sigh* Perhaps I can sell it to someone.
* * *
However, the first order of business is to find some other memory in the hopes of getting something that will work. The Intel web site lists several kinds of memory which have been tested to Intel standards to work with this motherboard.
Interestingly enough, the memory which Fry's sold me misses the mark for several reasons:
* Latency is 4-5-4-15; board requires 5-5-5-?
* 1 GB modules with 16 chips per module; board requires 8 chips per module
So regardless of whether or not different memory fixes the issue, Fry's will give me a full refund for the memory they sold me. I've decided.
Fortunately I know that Best Buy sells Kingston memory, and there are several Kingston model numbers which will fill the bill.
And if not, the whole shebang is going to go back.