I have a gateway GT5228, with no ram in it will the gateway run on one stick of ram? 1 gig or no matter what I have to put 2 sticks in???

Sorry but your system will only upgrade to 2 gig of RAM
http://panam.gateway.com/s/PC/R/5293/5293sp3.shtml
but where your current memory is installed there are two locking levers on each socket one on top one on bottom press on those to release the memory and remove the current memory stick, now when installing the new memory make sure the little notch on the memory stick lines up with the one on the memory socket when your sure its correct just firmly press the new memory stick into the socket the two llever locks should lock automatically if not you can do it manually, take care not to put to much pressure on the memory stick. hope this helps

Here are the specifications of the Gateway 838GM: You will have to replace the existing memory with thesesettings only: The machine comes with: 512 MB = 256 MB (removable) + 256 MB PC3200DDR SDRAM DIMMs. Supports Dual Channel DDR Nowyou can only upgrade to 4.0 Gig total. I would recommend going to this link and order the correct memory foryour computer I use them quite a bit. http://www.memorystock.com/memory/Gateway838GM.html Rob

Your last results is running your comp OK because it is really only running on the 512 stick. When putting 2 different sizes together it will only run on the smallest, with this said here is a website http://www.4allmemory.com it will test your comp to exactly what type RAM you need . I buy for my clients all the time from this website. Very reliable,Try it..and remember about the 2 sizes

From what you've described, it sounds like you've got a bad DIMM slot, since it's not recognizing RAM that you know is good (because it works in the other DIMM slots).

Since it's the DIMM slot, which is part of the motherboard, your safest bet is to let Gateway repair it under warranty.

It's a bummer to go without a computer for two weeks, but at least you won't have to pay to fix it.

The specifications for your Aspire 3680 only supports a max. 2Gb.
see the details.

System memory1,2
512 MB of DDR2 533 MHz memory, upgradeable to 2 GB using two soDIMM modules (dual-channel support)

This is likely a memory timing incompatibility. You can go into the BIOS settings of many motherboards and set the timing specifically for each RAM slot, but without knowing exactly which piece of RAM you have I can't tell you what to set it at. You could use the utility CPU Z, install one stick, run the utility and write down all the memory information, then install the other stick and write it down too. Then go into your BIOS and see if you can set all of your specifications to match the memory.

Of course if you could find someone to swap sticks with that would be easier. Some motherboards are more picky than others about which sticks they work well with, name brand manufacturers are more picky than aftermarket in general.

The memory appears to be the right kind.

Try installing just one 1GB module, and run the diagnostics (press F12 at boot time and select diagnostics).

Good luck!

Switch sticks around in various combinations (2 gig in slot one, 1 gig in slot two, switch, try other stick, etc) and see if it is the memory or the motherboard.

This is most likely do to a bad stick of RAM.
Try taking out all but one stick of ram and try booting. If it still doesn't boot try changing the stick out with another one you pulled (might be the stick you left in that is the problem)

In the case that it is bad RAM go to your local computer shop and get some new RAM for the computer or check if Gateway will replace the RAM.

If there is any display that comes on the monitor such as a 2 digit code try searching that or posting here with the code.

Absolutely, 2 Gigs stick of RAM exist. Unfortunately your motherboard's maximum memory supported is 2GB. This site specifies very clearly 1 gig stick max per slot:
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=P5VD2-MX+SE

A.J.