1GB fine, 2GB = Death

yomumafat · 01-05-2008, 12:26 AM

Well my computer was running fine. I had recently bought 2gb's of cheap OEM RAM and a brand spanking new 8800gt (overclocked) graphics card.

I was playing Crysis and was told that you can play it on extra high quality when your running vista.

So i decided it was time to go back to vista. I booted off my vista dvd and formated my drive, but at the end of the installation i got a blue screen of death.

I thought that was strange, i havnt changed any hardwear since it was working fine with xp. So I tried to put xp back on, with no luck, blue screen.

I i tried with vista age with no luck, i thought maybe it was a faulty hard drive, so i tried it with my other, which is only 2 weeks old, no luck..... So i bought a new harddrive (i wanted another anyways), still no luck.

So i pulled out my new video card and put in my older one (which is still in good nick) and tried, still a blue screen. So i pulled out my ram and put in my old ram, and bobs your uncle it worked.

So getting to the point of this post. Is my RAM stuffed, or did my computer just not like loading a operating system on it. I just seems strange for it to stop working when it was working fine 10 minutes ago.

Its still brand new, so if it is faulty i can just take it back, might get some propper brand name stuff. But theres no point if its fine,

Any ideas?

MadMack · 01-05-2008, 01:08 AM

I have a theory. Microsoft and some others scoff at me. The theory goes like this: When an operating system is being installed, the PC's hardware is used to nearly it's max, and any weakpoints are shown up, particularly the RAM, therefore the blue scream (screen). You have just backed my theory.

What I do if a customer does not want new RAM. I install the OS using new RAM, after installation remove the new RAM and put the old RAM back. 99.9% of the time the PC works fine, especially if it is only being used for spreadsheets, word processing or other light applications. If it gives problems, the customer must buy new RAM.

But, hey, you spent big $$$'s on the graphics card, get your self some decent RAM modules! Other gamers might suggest what brands. I use Corsair's gaming series.

crunchie · 01-05-2008, 02:04 AM

Download memtest from here and install the new mem. Run through memtest's tests and see if you get any errors.
Does the new ram you bought match the mobo/cpu? Post up all the relevant specs so that it is easier for others to diagnose. It just may be that the wrong ram was purchased.

**speedster123** · 01-05-2008, 05:52 AM

IMPORTANT! Before You Buy Memory
Vista is a bit hoggish when it comes to resources, even more than XP, so memory is a point as MadMack stated.
Use dban to clean your drive next time.

khader · 01-05-2008, 07:27 AM

is it possible to boot a computer without RAM

MadMack · 01-06-2008, 02:29 AM

Never!

yomumafat · 01-08-2008, 02:18 AM

Well i bought myself some new Kingston RAM. PC2 - 5300 CL5. 2x 1gb

Computer runs fine. When I pull out existing ram (2x 512mb) and install my new kingston ram, and reboot, all i get is a black screen and a buzzing noise like what beeps when the bios runs when u first boot ur computer.

when i pulled out 1 of the sticks, the computer boots up and runs fine, when i swapped it with the other, it still ran fine, but when i put both of them in at the same time it still doesnt want to play.

My motherboard is more then sufficient to hold 2gb of ram, can take up to 8gb. I am told that this ram should be compatible with the motherboard.

Can anyone shed some light on this mistery.

yomumafat · 01-08-2008, 02:20 AM

I just returned the ram, and got some good kingston stuff. But also having problems with the new stuff.

New thread here

1GB fine, 2GB = Death

EDIT: Threads merged

crunchie · 01-08-2008, 03:17 AM

Are there specific coloured (matched) slots to install them into? I have 4 slots on mine, two being yellow and the others being orange.
Have you tried shutting off the power, pulling the cmos battery and moving the cmos jumper, then reboot?
Is there an option in the BIOS to enable dual channel?

yomumafat · 01-08-2008, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crunchie

Are there specific coloured (matched) slots to install them into? I have 4 slots on mine, two being yellow and the others being orange.
Have you tried shutting off the power, pulling the cmos battery and moving the cmos jumper, then reboot?
Is there an option in the BIOS to enable dual channel?

I was running dual channel before, both in the blue slots, jut swapping it over. I was thinking about the cmos but wasnt game to try it without asking someone who knew first. Should maybe give it a go

crunchie · 01-08-2008, 03:51 AM

Once you do it, go into the BIOS and set the time/date again.
Be aware that depending on the board, clearing the cmos can vary greatly timewise. Usually just a couple of minutes should be fine though.

yomumafat · 01-08-2008, 03:56 AM

question, do i move the connector across then try to boot, or do i move it across, then back again before bootings?

crunchie · 01-08-2008, 04:18 AM

Power off at the wall, remove the battery then move the jumper. Give it a couple of minutes, then reverse the procedure. Then boot into the BIOS and adjust the time/date. Find in the BIOS the option to load the default settings and select it. You will probably be a given a 'Y'/'N' option then, (yes/no) so hit the 'Y' on the keyboard and hit 'Enter.' Save the settings (probably the F10 key) and boot into Windows.
It is not absolutely necessary to remove the battery if one uses the jumper, but on some mobo's it is recommended that one does so.

yomumafat · 01-08-2008, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crunchie

Power off at the wall, remove the battery then move the jumper. Give it a couple of minutes, then reverse the procedure. Then boot into the BIOS and adjust the time/date. Find in the BIOS the option to load the default settings and select it. You will probably be a given a 'Y'/'N' option then, (yes/no) so hit the 'Y' on the keyboard and hit 'Enter.' Save the settings (probably the F10 key) and boot into Windows.
It is not absolutely necessary to remove the battery if one uses the jumper, but on some mobo's it is recommended that one does so.

Tried this, but when i hit the power button i still just get a loud continuing beep. Bois doesnt even come up...

**speedster123** · 01-08-2008, 05:33 AM

go into bios and take the ram off of auto or spd, relax the timings..slow them down. save/exit and try to boot to windows.
what board and power supply do you have? a bios update might be in order.

yomumafat · 01-08-2008, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedster123

go into bios and take the ram off of auto or spd, relax the timings..slow them down. save/exit and try to boot to windows.
what board and power supply do you have? a bios update might be in order.

OK, well i cant get to the bois unless i take 1 ram card out, do i do this?
Also i cant see anything in the bois about spd, but i can see a memory timing section, there all on auto, and i have the option to change them from auto to 1-6. What do i change them to?

I have a Asus P5N32-E SLI, and a thermaltake 750watt psu.

**speedster123** · 01-08-2008, 05:45 AM

usually the higher the number, the slower the timing. keep trying it. does the menu show what the dimm voltage is? this might need a bump up.
http://www.motherboards.org/imagevie.../1704_p5_6.jpg

yomumafat · 01-08-2008, 05:48 AM

what u mean by keep trying this? should i start changing them and seeing if they work?

And its default is 1.9volts i believe

yomumafat · 01-08-2008, 05:54 AM

i upped the voltage... now it doesnt even want to boot on 1 stick

**speedster123** · 01-08-2008, 06:04 AM

ok back it down, and consider returning the sticks. are they listed in your motherboard qvl list for ram? did you relax the timings? i edited a post above that shows the menu to take the setting off of auto.
clear the cmos, pop the battery out for ten mins. after you unplug it, adjust the timings and try and boot.

you should refrain from opening 2 threads with basically the same problem

01-05-2008, 12:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
yomumafat Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia Posts: 36 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium x2 and Windows 7 x1	Ram Problem Well my computer was running fine. I had recently bought 2gb's of cheap OEM RAM and a brand spanking new 8800gt (overclocked) graphics card. I was playing Crysis and was told that you can play it on extra high quality when your running vista. So i decided it was time to go back to vista. I booted off my vista dvd and formated my drive, but at the end of the installation i got a blue screen of death. I thought that was strange, i havnt changed any hardwear since it was working fine with xp. So I tried to put xp back on, with no luck, blue screen. I i tried with vista age with no luck, i thought maybe it was a faulty hard drive, so i tried it with my other, which is only 2 weeks old, no luck..... So i bought a new harddrive (i wanted another anyways), still no luck. So i pulled out my new video card and put in my older one (which is still in good nick) and tried, still a blue screen. So i pulled out my ram and put in my old ram, and bobs your uncle it worked. So getting to the point of this post. Is my RAM stuffed, or did my computer just not like loading a operating system on it. I just seems strange for it to stop working when it was working fine 10 minutes ago. Its still brand new, so if it is faulty i can just take it back, might get some propper brand name stuff. But theres no point if its fine, Any ideas?

01-05-2008, 01:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
MadMack Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 89 OS: Windows Vista Business	Re: Ram Problem I have a theory. Microsoft and some others scoff at me. The theory goes like this: When an operating system is being installed, the PC's hardware is used to nearly it's max, and any weakpoints are shown up, particularly the RAM, therefore the blue scream (screen). You have just backed my theory. What I do if a customer does not want new RAM. I install the OS using new RAM, after installation remove the new RAM and put the old RAM back. 99.9% of the time the PC works fine, especially if it is only being used for spreadsheets, word processing or other light applications. If it gives problems, the customer must buy new RAM. But, hey, you spent big $$$'s on the graphics card, get your self some decent RAM modules! Other gamers might suggest what brands. I use Corsair's gaming series.

01-05-2008, 02:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
crunchie Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 23 OS: XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: Ram Problem Download memtest from here and install the new mem. Run through memtest's tests and see if you get any errors. Does the new ram you bought match the mobo/cpu? Post up all the relevant specs so that it is easier for others to diagnose. It just may be that the wrong ram was purchased.

01-05-2008, 05:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York-Long Island Posts: 5,223 OS: xp pro SP3	Re: Ram Problem IMPORTANT! Before You Buy Memory Vista is a bit hoggish when it comes to resources, even more than XP, so memory is a point as MadMack stated. Use dban to clean your drive next time. __________________

01-05-2008, 07:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
khader Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1 OS: xp-2	Re: Ram Problem is it possible to boot a computer without RAM

01-06-2008, 02:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
MadMack Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 89 OS: Windows Vista Business	Re: Ram Problem Never!

01-08-2008, 02:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
yomumafat Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia Posts: 36 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium x2 and Windows 7 x1	1GB fine, 2GB = Death Well i bought myself some new Kingston RAM. PC2 - 5300 CL5. 2x 1gb Computer runs fine. When I pull out existing ram (2x 512mb) and install my new kingston ram, and reboot, all i get is a black screen and a buzzing noise like what beeps when the bios runs when u first boot ur computer. when i pulled out 1 of the sticks, the computer boots up and runs fine, when i swapped it with the other, it still ran fine, but when i put both of them in at the same time it still doesnt want to play. My motherboard is more then sufficient to hold 2gb of ram, can take up to 8gb. I am told that this ram should be compatible with the motherboard. Can anyone shed some light on this mistery.

01-08-2008, 02:20 AM	#8 (permalink)
yomumafat Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia Posts: 36 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium x2 and Windows 7 x1	Re: Ram Problem I just returned the ram, and got some good kingston stuff. But also having problems with the new stuff. New thread here 1GB fine, 2GB = Death EDIT: Threads merged Last edited by koala; 01-08-2008 at 06:34 AM.

01-08-2008, 03:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
crunchie Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 23 OS: XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: 1GB fine, 2GB = Death Are there specific coloured (matched) slots to install them into? I have 4 slots on mine, two being yellow and the others being orange. Have you tried shutting off the power, pulling the cmos battery and moving the cmos jumper, then reboot? Is there an option in the BIOS to enable dual channel?

01-08-2008, 03:51 AM	#11 (permalink)
crunchie Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 23 OS: XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: 1GB fine, 2GB = Death Once you do it, go into the BIOS and set the time/date again. Be aware that depending on the board, clearing the cmos can vary greatly timewise. Usually just a couple of minutes should be fine though.

01-08-2008, 03:56 AM	#12 (permalink)
yomumafat Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia Posts: 36 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium x2 and Windows 7 x1	Re: 1GB fine, 2GB = Death question, do i move the connector across then try to boot, or do i move it across, then back again before bootings?

01-08-2008, 04:18 AM	#13 (permalink)
crunchie Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 23 OS: XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: 1GB fine, 2GB = Death Power off at the wall, remove the battery then move the jumper. Give it a couple of minutes, then reverse the procedure. Then boot into the BIOS and adjust the time/date. Find in the BIOS the option to load the default settings and select it. You will probably be a given a 'Y'/'N' option then, (yes/no) so hit the 'Y' on the keyboard and hit 'Enter.' Save the settings (probably the F10 key) and boot into Windows. It is not absolutely necessary to remove the battery if one uses the jumper, but on some mobo's it is recommended that one does so. Last edited by crunchie; 01-08-2008 at 04:21 AM.

01-08-2008, 05:33 AM	#15 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York-Long Island Posts: 5,223 OS: xp pro SP3	Re: 1GB fine, 2GB = Death go into bios and take the ram off of auto or spd, relax the timings..slow them down. save/exit and try to boot to windows. what board and power supply do you have? a bios update might be in order. __________________

01-08-2008, 05:45 AM	#17 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York-Long Island Posts: 5,223 OS: xp pro SP3	Re: 1GB fine, 2GB = Death usually the higher the number, the slower the timing. keep trying it. does the menu show what the dimm voltage is? this might need a bump up. http://www.motherboards.org/imagevie.../1704_p5_6.jpg __________________ Last edited by speedster123; 01-08-2008 at 06:01 AM.

01-08-2008, 05:48 AM	#18 (permalink)
yomumafat Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia Posts: 36 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium x2 and Windows 7 x1	Re: 1GB fine, 2GB = Death what u mean by keep trying this? should i start changing them and seeing if they work? And its default is 1.9volts i believe

01-08-2008, 05:54 AM	#19 (permalink)
yomumafat Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia Posts: 36 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium x2 and Windows 7 x1	Re: 1GB fine, 2GB = Death i upped the voltage... now it doesnt even want to boot on 1 stick

01-08-2008, 06:04 AM	#20 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York-Long Island Posts: 5,223 OS: xp pro SP3	Re: 1GB fine, 2GB = Death ok back it down, and consider returning the sticks. are they listed in your motherboard qvl list for ram? did you relax the timings? i edited a post above that shows the menu to take the setting off of auto. clear the cmos, pop the battery out for ten mins. after you unplug it, adjust the timings and try and boot. you should refrain from opening 2 threads with basically the same problem __________________ Last edited by speedster123; 01-08-2008 at 06:09 AM.