RAM recognised then Not recognised !!

piddo · 29 Dec 2011

I wonder if some kind soul can assist ....Recently my computer was taking an age to boot.... repeatedly had to press start. Upon checking the internet I found that a probable cause was linked to power supply....not spinning HD fast enough to boot so I uprated to 500W... and as the computer leads were all out I took the opportunity of putting in an extra 2 Gb RAM (New and checked with Crucial as being compatible)Total 4Gb RAM Install went well.... and boot up took a fraction of the time!

The extra RAM was recognised Total 4Gb, initially the Windows theme played.... then...... unable to start - blue screen re Graphics card - started in safe mode... download drivers.... Then graphics OK.... but No Audio - download new driver for Gigabyte MB..... checked Graphics card in Device Manager - Not working Code 32! I thought there must be an issue with the graphics card so I purchased and installed another. I also removed the extra 2Gb of RAM. I performed a clean install of Windows 7.... Graphics card working and drivers downloaded.... Brilliant ! Then I re installed the 2Gb RAM.... switched on nothing but a long beeeeeep foloowed by another.... followed by another

.... I turned off the power, removed the 2Gb RAM and the computer booted fine!
So I can deduce that the graphics card works OK (the old one probably did too!) and the 4Gb RAM is OK.... just that the 4Gb of RAM and the Graphics card do not like to work together

I cannot help but think there should be a solution to this conflict!
Can anyone assist?
Thanks

Qdos · 29 Dec 2011

I know when I fiddle with RAM on my motherboard I need to let the BIOS complete the pre-POST "beeping cycle" three times before expecting a clean boot, have you tried leaving it be during this time and seeing whether or not it will actually boot cleanly after allowing it to do this?

Golden · 29 Dec 2011

Hi Piddo,

Can you give us more detail about the RAM? Are they 4 x 1GB sticks, or 2 x 2GB sticks? Are they exactly the same type (make, frequency & timing)? Please give us as much detail about the RAM as you can - perhaps a reference to it online?

I recommend testing your RAM and motherboard RAM slots as follows:

1. Download MemTest86+ and burn it to either a DVD or bootable USB.
2. Insert only your new RAM stick/sticks into the motherboard
3. Boot your PC from either the DVD or USB with the MemTest86+ on it.
4. Run MemTest86+ for a minimum of 6 passes, or until any errors appear.
5. If, after 6 passes, no errors appear, move the same RAM stick/sticks into the next RAM slots on the motherboard, and then repeat step 3 & 4.
6. If you still do not get any errors, then insert all the RAM and re-run steps 3 & 4.

This way, we can determine if its:

1. Faulty RAM, and/or
2. Faulty RAM slots on the motherboard

Regards,
Golden

Sardonicus · 29 Dec 2011

Had you changed the RAM default settings on the first 2Gb (overclocking)?
If so, try loading the default settings in the BIOS.