PC reboots due to RAM

lechevarria89 · 05-28-2009, 09:48 PM

About a month ago I purchased two 2GB kits of RAM. Each kit came with two 1GB (PC4200 DDR2 533 PC2-4200) low density chips. Once I recieved the two 2GB kits, I installed them into my computer. After installing the RAM, I turned on my PC and my OS began to start up.

Once Windows Vista started up, I went to Control Panel then to System to make sure I had the right amount of memory (4GB in total); I checked and noticed that only 3GB was showing. At first, I didn't understand why there was only 3GB rather than 4GB. So, I shutdown my computer and took out all of the chips then put them back in. I turned on my computer and checked once more but there was still only 3GB showing. I was confused.

I tried once more. I shutdown my computer, took out all of the chips but this time when trying to install the RAM, I struggled a bit. I managed to get them in; however, when I turned on my computer, instead of getting the Dell boot screen as I usually do before Windows starts up, I got a black screen with white letters and numbers on the top left corner. I can't remember exactly what it said but I remember seeing DDR2 some where inbetween. Everytime I try pressing Enter or any other key on my keyboard nothing happens.

I turned off the computer and powered it back on but got the same message. I turned off my computer again then took out the RAM once more to check if there were any visible scratches or cracks on any of the chips; but nothing. This time, instead of putting all of the chips back into the computer I decided to put just one set (2GB) of RAM. After putting the 2GB of RAM I turned on the computer and got the same black screen. At that point, I was convinced that the RAM was damaged due to my struggling when trying to install it.

I took out the first set of RAM then tried the second. This time the computer booted up and Windows Vista began to start. I went to Control Panel then to System to see how much RAM was showing up; it showed 2GB. I said to myself, "Okay, then I must of just damaged the other set of chips." I accepted the fact that the other set of RAM was damaged.

A few minutes later, suddenly, the screen goes black then "The Blue Screen of Death", as they call it, pops up and my computer reboots. It does this every time I have the memory sticks installed into my computer. I'm left with no choice but to use the original RAM that came with my PC.

Why is this? Is my second set of RAM damaged as well? Or is there something that i have to do? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

tomanderson1991 · 05-28-2009, 10:18 PM

Okay, first when the computer was only displaying 3GB of RAM, I believe that is due to the 32Bit Edition of Windows, I may be wrong.

About the RAM Itself, things to rule out are Static charges, so which surface were you stood on, did you ground yourself first etc. Can you see any physical damage to your RAM slots, If the RAM is damaged or the slots are damaged then you are going to have to replace parts.

Riskyone101 · 05-30-2009, 03:03 AM

Hello and Welcome to TSF,

what are you running:

video card
cpu
m/board
ram
power supply
brand
wattage

check the listings in the bios for voltages and temperatures and post them

What kind of ram did you buy?...the specs

Smooth_CriminaL · 05-30-2009, 10:00 AM

You can also try testing out the ram with a good memory diagnostics utility called "memtest86". I would also say clear the cmos but I can't recall if the dell motherboards have the clear cmos jumpers, someone correct me if I am wrong thanks.

**Tyree** · 05-30-2009, 03:05 PM

A 32Bit OS will only "see" up to 3.25GB of RAM.
Filling all of the RAM slots is not a good idea. You would be better using matched pair2 X 2GB sticks.

05-28-2009, 09:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
lechevarria89 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 23 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium	PC reboots due to RAM About a month ago I purchased two 2GB kits of RAM. Each kit came with two 1GB (PC4200 DDR2 533 PC2-4200) low density chips. Once I recieved the two 2GB kits, I installed them into my computer. After installing the RAM, I turned on my PC and my OS began to start up. Once Windows Vista started up, I went to Control Panel then to System to make sure I had the right amount of memory (4GB in total); I checked and noticed that only 3GB was showing. At first, I didn't understand why there was only 3GB rather than 4GB. So, I shutdown my computer and took out all of the chips then put them back in. I turned on my computer and checked once more but there was still only 3GB showing. I was confused. I tried once more. I shutdown my computer, took out all of the chips but this time when trying to install the RAM, I struggled a bit. I managed to get them in; however, when I turned on my computer, instead of getting the Dell boot screen as I usually do before Windows starts up, I got a black screen with white letters and numbers on the top left corner. I can't remember exactly what it said but I remember seeing DDR2 some where inbetween. Everytime I try pressing Enter or any other key on my keyboard nothing happens. I turned off the computer and powered it back on but got the same message. I turned off my computer again then took out the RAM once more to check if there were any visible scratches or cracks on any of the chips; but nothing. This time, instead of putting all of the chips back into the computer I decided to put just one set (2GB) of RAM. After putting the 2GB of RAM I turned on the computer and got the same black screen. At that point, I was convinced that the RAM was damaged due to my struggling when trying to install it. I took out the first set of RAM then tried the second. This time the computer booted up and Windows Vista began to start. I went to Control Panel then to System to see how much RAM was showing up; it showed 2GB. I said to myself, "Okay, then I must of just damaged the other set of chips." I accepted the fact that the other set of RAM was damaged. A few minutes later, suddenly, the screen goes black then "The Blue Screen of Death", as they call it, pops up and my computer reboots. It does this every time I have the memory sticks installed into my computer. I'm left with no choice but to use the original RAM that came with my PC. Why is this? Is my second set of RAM damaged as well? Or is there something that i have to do? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

05-28-2009, 10:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
tomanderson1991 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 13 OS: Windows 7	Re: PC reboots due to RAM Okay, first when the computer was only displaying 3GB of RAM, I believe that is due to the 32Bit Edition of Windows, I may be wrong. About the RAM Itself, things to rule out are Static charges, so which surface were you stood on, did you ground yourself first etc. Can you see any physical damage to your RAM slots, If the RAM is damaged or the slots are damaged then you are going to have to replace parts.

05-30-2009, 03:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
Riskyone101 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago, IL. Posts: 3,748 OS: XP Pro SP3, MCE 2005 sp3, Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate My System	Re: PC reboots due to RAM Hello and Welcome to TSF, what are you running: video card cpu m/board ram power supply brand wattage check the listings in the bios for voltages and temperatures and post them What kind of ram did you buy?...the specs __________________

05-30-2009, 10:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
Smooth_CriminaL Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 24 OS: Windows XP Pro	Re: PC reboots due to RAM You can also try testing out the ram with a good memory diagnostics utility called "memtest86". I would also say clear the cmos but I can't recall if the dell motherboards have the clear cmos jumpers, someone correct me if I am wrong thanks.

05-30-2009, 03:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,686 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: PC reboots due to RAM A 32Bit OS will only "see" up to 3.25GB of RAM. Filling all of the RAM slots is not a good idea. You would be better using matched pair2 X 2GB sticks. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.