Windows 7 installation Freezes

Orson101 · 02 Dec 2012

I really like to keep all of the RAM i have in each computer the same age, therefore i buy all RAM for each individual computer together at one time from the same distributor.
All 4 sticks are identical in age and spec.
AVANT 2GB DDR DIMM 800MHZ ROHS. PC2-6400

Same thing happens when I install 3 sticks in slots 0,1,2 - Windows hangs up on "Starting Windows" for a few seconds and then reboots, and continues in this loop with whatever combination of RAM sticks I have installed. and memtest receives lots of errors.

I may have made an Operator Error though, I do not see PC2-6400 RAM listed in the compatible RAM speeds for my mother board (DXP051). yet I can still run 4 gigs, Could that be the issue?
When I had Windows 32-bit installed on this particular computer, I had all 8 gigs (4 sticks) installed and I never got these errors, or freezing, Problems only began during my windows 7 installation. (and I realize that 32-bit OS's can only recognize about 3.5 MB of RAM, so i doubt that it would get any errors.)

gregrocker · 02 Dec 2012

It's most often caused by badly spec'd RAM when it won't run on all sticks after a Clean Install where RAM was removed to allow install to proceed - especially if it passes MemTest.

Orson101 · 02 Dec 2012

Thank you again for all the help Greg. I have googled all over the place and I get mixed reviews. Some say the Dell DXP051 top Memory speed is 667MHZ and can not support Sticks faster than that (This is Dell's max speed listed at the computer's launch, before 64-bit systems) while others say they run the same set up as me. (4x 2gig DDR2 800MHZ sticks in Windows 7 64bit on the DXP051 mobo). But I notice when I am in BIOS with 4 gigs installed, my memory speed is set at 667mhz. And I have been completely unsuccessful at finding a way to change my RAM speed or timing through BIOs.
I'm thinking I need to return these RAM sticks and get 667's instead, If that doesn't work then I am going to be very suspicious of the integrity of this motherboard. (It is apparently an 8-year-old board with a whole lot of miles on it. While ALL other hardware is within a year old.)

TVeblen · 02 Dec 2012

Check the voltage of the stock RAM for that Dell motherboard. There is nothing more important when replacing RAM than that the voltage match spec.

Does the Dell BIOS Settings have a line to adjust RAM voltage? Something like DRAM VOLTAGE or DRAM BUS VOLTAGE?

If so it is probably set to AUTO. See if you can change the voltage there. If the RAM is currently at, say, 1.5v then bump it up one notch to 1.55v then test to see if all 4 sticks will light up and pass Memtest.

If not bump it up another notch. I would not attempt anything more than +.15v from default in .05v increments though.

Also, in a different test, try setting the DRAM frequency as low as it will go (400MHz?). If all 4 sticks will run w/o errors at the lowest frequency then you may have defective or incompatible RAM.

James7679 · 02 Dec 2012

Also, be sure that ram is set to 2T. With 4 sticks, 1T can be unstable. Just a suggestion.

Dave76 · 03 Dec 2012

I doubt the Dell BIOS will let you make any RAM adjustments.
If you have 800MHz RAM, and your BIOS only runs it at 667MHz, it won't cause any problems. It's just running underclocked, which is fine and should be stable.
Did you just get this Rig recently?

Corsair and Crucial memory finders both come up with DDR2 800MHz, 5-5-5-18, 1.8V for the Dell XPS 410.
The manual says: dual-channel 533-, 667-, and 800-MHz DDR2

From your Dell XPS 410 Manual, counting from the CPU the RAM DIMM slots are numbered 1,3,2,4.

The recommended memory configurations are:
A pair of matched memory modules installed in connectors DIMM_1 and DIMM_2
or
A pair of matched memory modules installed in connectors DIMM_1 and DIMM_2 and another matched pair installed in connectors DIMM_3 and DIMM_4

If you install mixed pairs of DDR2 533-MHz (PC2-4300), DDR2 667-MHz (PC2-5300), and DDR2 800-MHz (PC2-6400) memory, the modules function at the slowest speed installed.

Be sure to install a single memory module in the DIMM_1 connector, the connector closest to the processor, before you install modules in the other connectors.

While installing memory modules, ensure that you do not mix ECC and non-ECC memory.

Can you download CPUZ and post a snip of the CPU, Mainboard, Memory, and SPD tabs.
For posting the information , enter 'Snipping tool' in the Start button > Search box, hit enter. Select the area you want to post and save to a convenient place.
How to Post a Screenshot in Seven Forums

Orson101 · 04 Dec 2012

AVF6456U61E6800FN-NYXP - 2GB Memory Module For XPS 600

This is the RAM I was given to put in it, And I'm more or less helping a friend to upgrade his machine.

Dave76 · 04 Dec 2012

Theoretically that RAM should work, the CPUZ tabs look fine.

Two possible issues, first, if the original PSU is still being used it may be on it's way out. OEMs are not known to put in good PSUs.
There is no guarantee that the RAM will work with a new PSU, best to borrow one to test with.
I just had to change out the PSU on my 4 year old Dell desktop, which I previously upgraded to a 64bit OS and 6GB RAM with no issues.

Second, besides your manual saying Max RAM is 4GB, this is usually due to the standard 32bit OS, the RAM may not be compatible. Your links don't mention the RAM voltage, which may be part of the problem. Should be 1.8v.
If it runs good with (2x2GB) 4GB RAM and crashes with 3x2GB, on a non-OEM BIOS you would just bump the DRAM voltage a little. Since this isn't possible, you may need to try different RAM.
Crucial and Corsair guarantees their RAM to run on OEMs and both are known to work well with Dells.
Crucial Memory Advisor™ Tool.
Corsair Memory Finder

Just did a quick search on the Dell User Forum, many XPS 410s running 8GB RAM, so should work if everything in the system is functioning properly.

TVeblen · 04 Dec 2012

It would also be interesting to see the CPU-Z specs on the other sticks of RAM.

You see that "Slot #1" drop down box in the 4th photo?
Drop that down and select Slot #2 (or #3) to see the specs of the second stick. To get a screenshot of all four sticks you may need to switch 2 out for 2 and do it again, since the PC won't start with all 4 in.