System doesn't want to take 8GB or ram

louieyazon said:

Me and my dad set up a new rig about a month ago, with the intention of using it for video editing. As such, we tried to get the best specs we could afford within our budget. We set it up with windows7 64-bit from the start as we planned on using 8gb ram on it, because it was suggested that one have a ram heavy computer for video editing. Here are the rough specs, will add details if you guys think there's anything missing

MSI P45-8d Mobo
Intel Quad Core 9400(not sure about the number)
MSI 4770 vid card
8BG DDR3 1666 RAM (4 sticks of 2, Kingston brand)
2 500GB SATA2 Hard disks on a RAID 0 Array for a boot drive

Anyway, we have been having problems installing the 8GB of ram. We checked all four sticks on two different memory testing apps (built in and 3rd party) and they both checked out. We also ran the computer for whole weeks on combinations of 2 sticks and things went well as well. BUT! whenever we install all 4 sticks of ram, the computer just randomly restarts. We ran the built in memory test for a whole day with all 4 ram sticks installed and it passed all 16 passes, but the system always resets on its own when we start to use the computer normally. A friend suggested that I reformat and try vista 64 as there may be some issues with windows 7 64bit. Thoughts? Thanks in advance to whoever can help us, we hope we didn't waste money on the RAM we can't use.

First check to make sure the motherboard can take that much then make sure it is enabled in bios. BTW vista and win 7 are picky about raid drivers. if they dont fix it post and Ill work you thru it

Ken

may be time to see if there is an update for the BIOS/CMOS... some systems need an update to use anymore than 6GB properly...

I have the same problem- system will not boot with 8gb ram. works fine with 4 gb

bobj said:

I have the same problem- system will not boot with 8gb ram. works fine with 4 gb

Hi and welcome to SF Bob

Thanks for filling in your system specs. First thing that comes to mind is the flash bios to upgrade. Are you 32 or 64bit? clean install or upgrade?

Again welcome

Ken

We have updated the BIOS and the initial install was clean, we also arent using any overclocking. Checked the mobo and it is supposed to handle that kind of memory (It's a MSI P45-8P "Memory Lover" mobo) although it says 8GB DDR3 RAM support.
But, I read somewhere that there was something about that limit being shared between the mobo and the vid card. Does this apply here?

Here's a link to the mobo specs:
MSI Global – Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Mainboard, Graphics and more

louieyazon said:

We have updated the BIOS and the initial install was clean, we also arent using any overclocking. Checked the mobo and it is supposed to handle that kind of memory (It's a MSI P45-8P "Memory Lover" mobo) although it says 8GB DDR3 RAM support.
But, I read somewhere that there was something about that limit being shared between the mobo and the vid card. Does this apply here?

Here's a link to the mobo specs:
MSI Global – Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Mainboard, Graphics and more

Not sure is the vid card built in or not. Im not familiar with that model? still even if it was sharing video it would love having 8. Is there something in bios that says use number of processors, and use max memory?

K

Here is a link to my Vid Card Specs: MSI Global – Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Mainboard, Graphics and more

Ken, thanks for the reply and the welcome,

Yes latest bios updates, and after trying just increasing memory from 4 to 8gb, and re-booting (and crashing), I then attempted a full clean install. But even a new install would not complete with 8gb. When I went back down to 4gb, a new install worked again. Back to 8gb with Windows 7 64bit - would not install again. I have to agree with those that believe there is a bug in Windows 7. Vista with 8gb - yes it installs fine. The only variable is Windows 7.

I would be interested if anyone else has Windows7 64bit running with 8gb RAM an an ASUS M3A78-T with BIOS version 1001? Or any other ASUS motherboards?

bobj said:

Ken, thanks for the reply and the welcome,

Yes latest bios updates, and after trying just increasing memory from 4 to 8gb, and re-booting (and crashing), I then attempted a full clean install. But even a new install would not complete with 8gb. When I went back down to 4gb, a new install worked again. Back to 8gb with Windows 7 64bit - would not install again. I have to agree with those that believe there is a bug in Windows 7. Vista with 8gb - yes it installs fine. The only variable is Windows 7.

I would be interested if anyone else has Windows7 64bit running with 8gb RAM an an ASUS M3A78-T with BIOS version 1001? Or any other ASUS motherboards?

Have you searched google for your mobo and 8gigs?

Good luck

Ken

Also, I'm sure we are using the right slots on the mobo.