Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and structure for implementing a 64/8 ECC algorithm on a SIMM using a computer which has a 32-bit bus and is configured with a 36-bit wide memory. This is accomplished by writing two successive 4 byte words from the system to latches, to form an 8 byte quad word, and writing 8 check bits utilizing the entire 64 bits of the quad word. One-half of the quad word (i.e., 32 bits) together with 4 of the 8 check bits for a total of 36 bits is stored at one address location in memory, and the remaining 32 bits of the quad word, together with the remaining 4 check bits, are stored at another, preferably the successive 36 bit, address location in memory. When the quad word and check bits are read from the memory, they are read serially, i.e.