Computer powering off and can't use 2 RAM sticks at once

Blue Iguana Pc · 03-15-2008, 04:21 PM

I'm having EXACTLY the same problem with one of my customers' computers. Running a Compaq Presario desktop, AMD Athalon 1.03 GH. Originally, her computer was running one stick of non name brand ram, 256mb pc2100. I've replaced this with two Kingston 512mb pc2100 sticks.
The pc will start, attempt to boot windows, then restart in an endless cycle. I've tried kingston stick one in slot one and two, I've tried kingston stick two in slot one and two, I've tried the value ram in both slots. It does not matter what combination of ram i use and in what slots, if there is one stick present, it always works. If there is more than one stick, it will not start into windows.
In the intrest of convenience, kingston will be "k", slot will be "s", and value ram will be "v".
I've used these combinations:
k1-s1 k2-s2 / k2-s1 k1-s2 / v-s1 k1-s2 / v-s1 k2-s2 / k1-s1 v-s2 / k2-s1 v-s2
NONE of these combinations work.
I've also attempted to change the frequencies both on the motherboard and in the bios. I've checked all these ram sticks in my own machines, they all work fine in any combination. There seems to be no solution, maybe you guys can give me an idea what to try next. (also, i'm pretty certain the ram works fine, so i'm not inclined to do a 4 hour ram test to check for errors. I feel the error lies with the computer, either OS or hardware.)

dai · 03-15-2008, 06:28 PM

what op.system is on the computer

**speedster123** · 03-16-2008, 06:16 AM

you might need to up the voltage 1 notch if the bios permits.

Blue Iguana Pc · 04-29-2008, 02:58 AM

I can give this a try the next time i'm over there.

03-15-2008, 04:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
Blue Iguana Pc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2 OS: Windows XP SP2	Computer powering off and can't use 2 RAM sticks at once I'm having EXACTLY the same problem with one of my customers' computers. Running a Compaq Presario desktop, AMD Athalon 1.03 GH. Originally, her computer was running one stick of non name brand ram, 256mb pc2100. I've replaced this with two Kingston 512mb pc2100 sticks. The pc will start, attempt to boot windows, then restart in an endless cycle. I've tried kingston stick one in slot one and two, I've tried kingston stick two in slot one and two, I've tried the value ram in both slots. It does not matter what combination of ram i use and in what slots, if there is one stick present, it always works. If there is more than one stick, it will not start into windows. In the intrest of convenience, kingston will be "k", slot will be "s", and value ram will be "v". I've used these combinations: k1-s1 k2-s2 / k2-s1 k1-s2 / v-s1 k1-s2 / v-s1 k2-s2 / k1-s1 v-s2 / k2-s1 v-s2 NONE of these combinations work. I've also attempted to change the frequencies both on the motherboard and in the bios. I've checked all these ram sticks in my own machines, they all work fine in any combination. There seems to be no solution, maybe you guys can give me an idea what to try next. (also, i'm pretty certain the ram works fine, so i'm not inclined to do a 4 hour ram test to check for errors. I feel the error lies with the computer, either OS or hardware.) Last edited by Blue Iguana Pc; 03-15-2008 at 04:23 PM.

03-15-2008, 06:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,614 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Computer powering off and can't use 2 RAM sticks at once what op.system is on the computer __________________

03-16-2008, 06:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York-Long Island Posts: 5,223 OS: xp pro SP3	Re: Computer powering off and can't use 2 RAM sticks at once you might need to up the voltage 1 notch if the bios permits. __________________

04-29-2008, 02:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
Blue Iguana Pc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Computer powering off and can't use 2 RAM sticks at once I can give this a try the next time i'm over there.