Increased RAM causes Win 7 to hang on boot

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  1. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #1

    Increased RAM causes Win 7 to hang on boot


    I recently upgraded my display to a larger monitor, and as a result my games have increased their load on my system memory. To compensate, I added an additional 4 GB of RAM to the 2 GB I already had. I discovered, however, that Win 7 32 bit still has the memory address limits, and the system only recognized 3 out of the 6 GB of RAM. Since I have a 64 bit processor, I decided to change over to 64 bit to take advantage of the new hardware.

    However, attempts to install Windows 7 with 6 GB of RAM failed; the system hung up during installation at about the "Completing installation" point, with a black screen. I removed the new memory and got past the installer errors. But now, whenever I run with the new chips (and I've changed them once already with the same result, so I doubt its hardware error) Windows hangs up during boot (the Windows logo stops waving). The repair facility from the disc doesn't correct the error, and about half the time causes the "BOOTMGR is missing" error on the following boot (I correct that by rebuilding the bcd, but the OS still hangs on the way in).

    Any suggestions?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,557
    XP, Seven, 2008R2
       #2

    what kind of RAM is it? did you set the memory timings correctly?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #3

    What are the specs on the old ram and the specs on the new ram?

    Ken
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    The first set was 2*2GB PC 6400 ram by PNY. The new set is 2*2GB PC6400 ram by Patriot. The settings for the RAM have been set automatically by my BIOS, and its worth noting that the new RAM worked flawlessly in 32 bit Win7 (aside from the fact that Windows saw it but couldn't really use it) with those settings.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 8,870
    Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
       #5

    cptdzastr said:
    The first set was 2*2GB PC 6400 ram by PNY. The new set is 2*2GB PC6400 ram by Patriot. The settings for the RAM have been set automatically by my BIOS, and its worth noting that the new RAM worked flawlessly in 32 bit Win7 (aside from the fact that Windows saw it but couldn't really use it) with those settings.
    Mixing Ram brands and types hardly ever works right. I strongly advise against it. You also should not need more than 4GB for gaming. You will be much better off running only the matched 4GB kit then setting the memory up,..timings, divider and voltages to manufacture specs in bios manually. If you keep getting the installation errors then clear the cmos and try again.

    The best way to handle higher resolutions with bigger screens is to go SLI assuming that your board supports it.

    Win7 32 bit probably worked because it can't even access more than 3GB of the 6GB that you installed.

    If you want to run more than 4GB there are a few 8GB kits that will work. I've been through this a million times at EVGA forums where I have 34 BR's for giving advice just like this. It may not be what you want to hear but it's the truth.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    chev65 said:
    Mixing Ram brands and types hardly ever works right. I strongly advise against it. You also should not need more than 4GB for gaming.

    I doubt the Ram settings are the same for both types of Ram that you have and I also doubt that the Auto settings in bios are getting it right.
    The error remains, even removing the original 2 GB and running with just the 4 GB chips. So it wouldn't appear to be an interaction or difference of settings error.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #7

    cptdzastr said:
    The error remains, even removing the original 2 GB and running with just the 4 GB chips. So it wouldn't appear to be an interaction or difference of settings error.
    CPT

    One thing you could try is occasionally ram needs a slight voltage tweak to work correctly. DO a search here for that and you will find the suggested values. My bios cant be adjusted.

    Thanks for the rep btw

    Ken
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 8,870
    Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
       #8

    cptdzastr said:
    The error remains, even removing the original 2 GB and running with just the 4 GB chips. So it wouldn't appear to be an interaction or difference of settings error.
    You will want to go into bios and set up the memory timings and memory voltage manually. The Auto settings hardly ever get it right. You will need to look up the specs for your Ram for this because I'm not sure what your exact type of Ram is.

    You will want to use the memory slot futhest from the CPU, then skip a space then install the other one.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 10
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    chev65 said:
    You will want to use the memory slot futhest from the CPU, then skip a space then install the other one.
    Mine appear to pair directly instead of staggering, but I'll give manually tweaking the voltage a shot and post back anything useful I find out.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 8,870
    Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
       #10

    cptdzastr said:
    Mine appear to pair directly instead of staggering, but I'll give manually tweaking the voltage a shot and post back anything useful I find out.
    You should always be skipping a slot when only installing 2. The last slot and the second one get the instructions from the CPU first so if only using two slots those should be the ones to use. I'm not sure what you mean by pair directly?

    You should be able to look up the specs for your 4GB Ram kit from the manufacture web site.
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 22:55.
Find Us