[wkw427]

My old machine supports up to 512mb of memory, and I have previously had one 256 stick and one 128 stick in. I got another 256 stick off of ebay for $6, and when I try to use both sticks in, windows will not boot.

The computer pasts post, and I've run memtest off a floppy for around 4 hours. The computer will boot with either of the memory sticks, in either of its two memory slots, but windows won't boot when both of them are in. The bios detects that there is 512mb of ram, but windows just won't boot!

I think that this is the error log? I get this after I disable automatic restart on system failure.. The problem I am getting is that it will loop on the "windows has encountered an error, safemode/last known good configuration/start normally"

 

[Coolfreak]

Re: Added new memory, windows won't boot

Have you ran memtest with only the 'new' stick of RAM installed? Sounds like there might be issues with the 'new' stick of RAM.

Are you sure the RAM you bought is fully compatible with your computer? What is the make and model of your computer?

Are you able to start in Safe-Mode at all?

 

[wkw427]

Re: Added new memory, windows won't boot

This is my computer
eMachines etower 800 PC Desktop - Product details and features - DealTime

No, I have not run memtest on the new ram stick, I'll do that now.
I'm not able to boot into safe mode. I'll try to boot again and tell you what *.sys it fails at, then run memtest on the new memory.

When booting into safe mode, it stops at Mup.sys and then restarts.

There is also a BSOD that comes up when I disable automatic rebooting that says something about going to hardware-update.com and updating my bios because my computer isn't APCP* compliant

*I'm not 100% sure if this is what it was, but it was a four letter acronym.

 

[Coolfreak]

Re: Added new memory, windows won't boot

Max supported RAM is 256MB. That would be your problem :smile:

Are you sure that is your computer? Every site says the E800 only supports 256MB RAM.

 

[wkw427]

Re: Added new memory, windows won't boot

Well, I have first hand expierence of using 382mb in it :\

 

[wkw427]

Re: Added new memory, windows won't boot

I remembered what the BSOD said.. Something about not meeting ACPI standards or something.

 

[Coolfreak]

Re: Added new memory, windows won't boot

If the motherboard is noted at max RAM - 256MB - I have no idea what is going on.

How do you know the RAM you bought is compatible with your computer? I can't find any kind of listings for RAM for that computer on ebay.

If you are positive that you are running 382MB with no problems, then I am willing to bet it's the 'new' stick of RAM that is the issue.

 

[wkw427]

Re: Added new memory, windows won't boot

The bios lists the correct amount of memory, which would be 512 when I have both in.
I've tried one of the 256 sticks in either of the slots, and BOTH of them work well.
Chip A can be in either slot 0 or 1, by itself or with a lower module, and it will work.
Chip B can be in either slot 0 or 1, by itself or with a lower module, and it will work.
Its when I use A and B together is there trouble.

I'm thinking that for some reason XP is just messed up, and I might just reinstall it. The only things I'd need to back up would be my firefox bookmarks, as I only use the machine as a RDC host to chat on msn and irc from school..

Not only that, but this isn't the first time I've had this problem. One day, out of the blue it started happening.. so I rotated the current modules I had (256+128) and it worked.

 

[Coolfreak]

Re: Added new memory, windows won't boot

Very weird problem. With the information you have given me, the only theory I can come up with is that the Windows XP installation is just having some small problems because of the old system.

Your system originally shipped with Windows ME - long before XP was released.

You could try a reinstall of XP - but I don't think it will help - but it definitely wouldn't hurt.

Let me know what you decide to do and keep me updated - I'm interested :smile:

 

[wkw427]

Re: Added new memory, windows won't boot

I'm going to be doing spring cleaning, so I'll defiantly reinstall XP.. I'll post back on Saturday or Sunday, whenever I finish with it.

 

[Coolfreak]

Re: Added new memory, windows won't boot

Sounds good. Let me know if you need any help with it :smile:

-Coolfreak

 

[wkw427]

Re: Added new memory, windows won't boot

"Stop 0x000000A5" Error When You Are Installing Windows XP

Thats the problem, same error message if I try to boot with both 256 sticks in, and if I let the xp installation CD keep copying files.
I've press F7... Didn't seem to of done anything, and its copying files again. Takes about 15 minutes.. So slow

It loaded windows setup.. Well, a heck of a lot faster. Now I'm reformatting, and reinstalling.
Fingers crossed that the cd drive doesn't fail on me now. Just seeing 512mb under system properties will make my day.

 

[wkw427]

Re: Added new memory, windows won't boot

Everything is working now! Now I just need to get around to reinstalling my usb wireless driver and copy back all 8gb of stuff back onto it. USB 1.0 is so slow.. it took 3 hours to backup all my stuff
But it works, windows recognizes all 512mb of memory.

 

[Coolfreak]

Re: Added new memory, windows won't boot

That's great news! I knew Windows would recognize all the memory - I am just surprised the motherboard allowed it.

With that old of a system - it might be time to consider upgrading :grin:. USB 3.0 is soon to be in all systems and that computer is still utilizing USB 1.0! !

Glad everything is working correctly!!

-Coolfreak