Did installing too much RAM stop my PC reading HDDs?

[SAVVYSCLUTTER]

I put 8+2 GB RAM in my Toshiba T130-11H. I removed the HDD, turned it on and got a black screen. I found out it only supports 2+2 GB so I put back the original RAM and HDD and it got stuck at POST. I restarted and it booted, worked for about 30 minutes and gave a BSOD. I restarted and got 'Check cable connection! Operating System not found'. Is this a coincidence?

It gives the same error with the HDD from my other laptop. My other laptop works with the HDD from my Toshiba. The SATA connector doesn't look damaged.

 

[siliconbeaver]

there may be a shortcut. but standard hardware debugging procedure is

1. remove both RAM and HDD. boot, if POST ok, then next.
2. add RAM on 1st slot. boot, if POST ok, then next.
3. add RAM on 2nd slot. boot, if POST ok, then next.
4. add HDD. boot, if POST ok, then start PC.

If each step takes 10-min, then the debugging can be done in 30-60 min. it indeed saves time, much better than random test.

also, better try an SSD, even a SATA SSD, it will improve your laptop performance significantly. i.e. a better solution than increasing RAM.

 

[SAVVYSCLUTTER]

there may be a shortcut. but standard hardware debugging procedure is

1. remove both RAM and HDD. boot, if POST ok, then next.
2. add RAM on 1st slot. boot, if POST ok, then next.
3. add RAM on 2nd slot. boot, if POST ok, then next.
4. add HDD. boot, if POST ok, then start PC.

If each step takes 10-min, then the debugging can be done in 30-60 min. it indeed saves time, much better than random test.

also, better try an SSD, even a SATA SSD, it will improve your laptop performance significantly. i.e. a better solution than increasing RAM.

Step 1 gives a black screen. Step 2/3/4 gives 'Check cable connection! Operating System not found'.

 

[siliconbeaver]

Within Step 2/3, could it show the correct RAM size? i.e. 2 GB? or 8 GB? or 10 GB?
don't merge them into one step.

also, in my practice, Step 1. when booting, computer should be beeping. I'm NOT sure you did this step.

 

[SAVVYSCLUTTER]

Within Step 2/3, could it show the correct RAM size? i.e. 2 GB? or 8 GB? or 10 GB?
don't merge them into one step.

also, in my practice, Step 1. when booting, computer should be beeping. I'm NOT sure you did this step.

The correct RAM size is 2+2 GB, which worked before and after I installed too much. I did all 4 steps. It didn't beep in 1 and gave the error in 2 and 3.