XP 64 won't boot after adding more RAM

crabbypatty · 01-03-2008, 08:01 AM

Hi, I'm new here and I sure hope someone can help me out with this.
I've been running the same system now for about a year and a half, which
is a 64 bit with Intel Pentium D dual core 2.8 ghz, MSI RC410M board, and
originally only two 512 mb sticks of "Advanced Module" RAM. It seemed
lately over the last couple of months things were getting sluggish so I
grabbed Microsoft's diagnostic memory tool and the RAM failed five out of
six tests! After purchasing two 1 gb sticks of Kingston RAM, I popped them in only to have the message come up that NTLDR is missing or corrupt, the
system cannot boot OR that ntoskrnl.exe was missing or corrupt.
So I bought two more 1 gb sticks of Spectek and tried them - same thing.
If I try to boot off of any of the three XP 64 install discs I have, as soon
as it starts to try and load files it says it cannot copy ntoskrnl.exe, setup
cannot continue, the error code is 4.
The machine will run just fine with only one gig in either of the two slots,
but as soon as I try and utilize both sticks of RAM it's a no go. Maximum
memory on this board is only two gigs by the way.
Also, I have replaced both NTLDR and ntoskrnl.exe files off of the Windows
disc and tried it - no difference.
If anyone's got any ideas then I'd like to hear what you think.

crabbypatty · 01-10-2008, 06:36 AM

Thanks for all the help.

**speedster123** · 01-10-2008, 10:20 AM

you did this?
Insert the Windows XP bootable CD into the computer. Configure bios to boot from the CD.
When prompted to press any key to boot from the CD, press any key.
Once in the Windows XP setup menu press the "R" key to repair Windows.
Log into your Windows installation by pressing the "1" key and pressing enter.
You will then be prompted for your administrator password, enter that password.
Copy the below two files to the root directory of the primary hard disk. In the below example we are copying these files from the CD-ROM drive letter "E". This letter may be different on your computer.

copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\
copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\

Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the CD from the computer and reboot.

crabbypatty · 01-10-2008, 11:00 AM

Thanks, but I scoured every source of info that I could before I came
here asking.
I've indeed already done that - didn't help.

01-03-2008, 08:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
crabbypatty Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP 64	XP 64 won't boot after adding more RAM Hi, I'm new here and I sure hope someone can help me out with this. I've been running the same system now for about a year and a half, which is a 64 bit with Intel Pentium D dual core 2.8 ghz, MSI RC410M board, and originally only two 512 mb sticks of "Advanced Module" RAM. It seemed lately over the last couple of months things were getting sluggish so I grabbed Microsoft's diagnostic memory tool and the RAM failed five out of six tests! After purchasing two 1 gb sticks of Kingston RAM, I popped them in only to have the message come up that NTLDR is missing or corrupt, the system cannot boot OR that ntoskrnl.exe was missing or corrupt. So I bought two more 1 gb sticks of Spectek and tried them - same thing. If I try to boot off of any of the three XP 64 install discs I have, as soon as it starts to try and load files it says it cannot copy ntoskrnl.exe, setup cannot continue, the error code is 4. The machine will run just fine with only one gig in either of the two slots, but as soon as I try and utilize both sticks of RAM it's a no go. Maximum memory on this board is only two gigs by the way. Also, I have replaced both NTLDR and ntoskrnl.exe files off of the Windows disc and tried it - no difference. If anyone's got any ideas then I'd like to hear what you think.

01-10-2008, 06:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
crabbypatty Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP 64	Re: XP 64 won't boot after adding more RAM Thanks for all the help.

01-10-2008, 10:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York Posts: 3,866 OS: xp pro My System	Re: XP 64 won't boot after adding more RAM you did this? Insert the Windows XP bootable CD into the computer. Configure bios to boot from the CD. When prompted to press any key to boot from the CD, press any key. Once in the Windows XP setup menu press the "R" key to repair Windows. Log into your Windows installation by pressing the "1" key and pressing enter. You will then be prompted for your administrator password, enter that password. Copy the below two files to the root directory of the primary hard disk. In the below example we are copying these files from the CD-ROM drive letter "E". This letter may be different on your computer. copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\ copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\ Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the CD from the computer and reboot. __________________ Infection Detection and Removal Thermal Grease Instructions Bench Test

01-10-2008, 11:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
crabbypatty Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP 64	Re: XP 64 won't boot after adding more RAM Thanks, but I scoured every source of info that I could before I came here asking. I've indeed already done that - didn't help.