Unstable computer after installing RAM

CatlinPM · 12-13-2006, 11:38 AM

I'm running windows XP, motherboard is and ABIT V17 and I had 512 DDR Ram already installed on the computer. I bought another 512 of DDR Ram both Kingston brand and installed it in my system. When the computer is turned on with both 512 of RAM it becomes very unstable. It will start and load but than when I try to start any programs or the internet I get and error message stating that this program must be closed and am forced to exit from the program. Sometimes I don't get an error message, instead the computer just restarts. I also added a new video card about a week earlier, an ATI Radeon 9250 PCI 256MB DDR which I've also updated the drivers on. Just so you know as well at the same time that I upgraded the video card I had swapped out a 256ddr ram for the 512ddr and the computer had no problems with this. This was the same time that I had updated the BIOS as well. The only time it started to give me problems was when I added the second 512 ddr ram. Sorry to keep rambling like this but I am about ready to pull my hair out... Thank you for any help

xarglaph · 12-13-2006, 11:54 AM

The RAM could be defective. Are you sure they're both the right bus speed? The VI7 only supports DDR400 I think...

**linderman** · 12-13-2006, 11:57 AM

sounds like a good ole plain jane ram incompatibility to me, thats why the ram makers have memory selectors on their websites

you need to check your motherboard model then purchase ram sticks by that model number which is "approved" and guaranteed.

check Corsair, Crucial, OCZ they are top shelf.

you can sell off your existing sticks on ebay

12-13-2006, 11:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
CatlinPM Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 9 OS: XP	Unstable computer after installing RAM I'm running windows XP, motherboard is and ABIT V17 and I had 512 DDR Ram already installed on the computer. I bought another 512 of DDR Ram both Kingston brand and installed it in my system. When the computer is turned on with both 512 of RAM it becomes very unstable. It will start and load but than when I try to start any programs or the internet I get and error message stating that this program must be closed and am forced to exit from the program. Sometimes I don't get an error message, instead the computer just restarts. I also added a new video card about a week earlier, an ATI Radeon 9250 PCI 256MB DDR which I've also updated the drivers on. Just so you know as well at the same time that I upgraded the video card I had swapped out a 256ddr ram for the 512ddr and the computer had no problems with this. This was the same time that I had updated the BIOS as well. The only time it started to give me problems was when I added the second 512 ddr ram. Sorry to keep rambling like this but I am about ready to pull my hair out... Thank you for any help

12-13-2006, 11:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
xarglaph Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern CA, US Posts: 88 OS: Windows XP SP2 My System	The RAM could be defective. Are you sure they're both the right bus speed? The VI7 only supports DDR400 I think... Last edited by xarglaph : 12-13-2006 at 12:12 PM.

12-13-2006, 11:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,571 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	sounds like a good ole plain jane ram incompatibility to me, thats why the ram makers have memory selectors on their websites you need to check your motherboard model then purchase ram sticks by that model number which is "approved" and guaranteed. check Corsair, Crucial, OCZ they are top shelf. you can sell off your existing sticks on ebay __________________ IF YOUR HARD DRIVE DIED RIGHT NOW; WOULD YOU CRY ??? ASK US FOR HELP DEVELOPING A DATA BACK-UP METHOD