Windows Will Not Load With 8GB RAM Added

[sdlangford]

My 1st post to this forum in search of a bit of advice.

I have run my PC for 2 years with 2 sticks of standard DDR3 2GB RAM.

My system is W7 64 Bit Home Premium

I recently purchased a stick of Corsair XMS3 8GB and installed.

I removed the original 2 sticks of RAM.

But windows will not start.

Any ideas ?

Regards

Simon

 

[marsmimar]

Hello Simon and welcome to Seven Forums.

Without knowing your system specs, I'd guess that your motherboard doesn't support using a single 8GB memory module. Just as an example, let's say a motherboard has four memory slots. The board itself may support 8GB total RAM, but each individual slot may only support a maximum of 2GB. (4 slots x 2GB each = 8GB total memory.)

If you look at the top of any Forum page you'll see a link to "User CP". Click on that and in the left column click on "Edit System Spec". If you fill in your computer details it will help determine what your motherboard can handle. This tutorial can help you find out your system specs.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html

 

[bobkn]

Looks like the largest DIMMs that are compatible are 4GB.

Buy Memory RAM Upgrades for your Advent Desktop/Tower Centurion Ci 5231 | 100% Safe & Secure

The maximum RAM is 16GB, but as 4 X 4GB.

 

[sdlangford]

Thanks guys for your help, looks as though im off to replace my 8GB stick for 2 x 4GB sticks.

Many thanks

Simon

 

[marsmimar]

Sounds like a plan, Simon. I'm guessing you'll continue to use your original 2 x 2GB sticks and add the new 2 x 4GB sticks for a total of 12GB. You might want to look through your owner's manual to verify which two slots should have the larger memory sticks. Sometimes it makes a difference.

 

[sdlangford]

Hi Guys,

Well i got the 8GB stick of RAM replaced for 2 x 4GB sticks of RAM.

Corsair XMS3.

I put both sticks of new DDR3 memory in the number 1 and 2 slots.

We get a bit further this time, windows sign comes up but then, restart and blue screen !

Take one stick out, so back to 4GB RAM and the PC boots up fine.

I'm confused now, any ideas ?

Regards

Simon

 

[sdlangford]

Any i have updated my PC profile as requested by marsmimar.

Regards

Simon

 

[marsmimar]

Just to make sure I'm understanding things, the computer works fine with the original 2 x 2GB memory sticks. You added the two new sticks (2 x 4GB) plus the original 2 x 2GB and the machine gives the dreaded blue screen. Here's where I get a bit confused: "Take one stick out, so back to 4GB RAM and the PC boots up fine."

Are you saying you did not use the original 2 x 2GB but used just the two new 4GB sticks? If that's the case, try using one of the 4GB sticks at a time and test each slot. Starting with slot 1, put in one 4GB stick, reboot. Does computer work? If yes, shut down computer, and move the same stick to slot 2. Test all four slots. If all four slots work with this 4GB stick, test he second 4GB stick the same way. You may have a bad slot or you may find that one of the new 4GB sticks is bad.

 

[sdlangford]

Hi,

Okay i have tried each of the new stick and both work individually.

I then tried one of the new 4GB stick with both of my old 2GB stick = 8GB total and the PC will not start, windows logo comes up, restart and then blue screen.

So i removed 1 stick of the old 2GB = PC now has 6GB RAM and all is well.

I only get start up issues with 8GB RAM.

Puzzling....

 

[marsmimar]

Very puzzling to say the least. Are the original 2GB sticks a matched pair? Unless someone else on the Forum can suggest something else to check, you might want to submit an online support ticket to Foxconn and see if they have any answers.

Foxconn PRODUCT : Motherboard : Details

 

[Layback Bear]

Two suggestions.
1. Don't use mismatched ram.
2. Always I say again Always get a copy of the motherboard manual and install ram as per motherboard manual only.
----------
Example.
My motherboard has 6 ram slots. If I install 2, 3, 4, 6 ram modules their is a different patter of installation required. You don't always start with the slot closet to the cpu.

 

[sdlangford]

Thanks forth tips re checking the motherboard manual.

I seem to have everything as it should be but notice the RAM should be 1333mhz and my new RAM is 1600mhz.

But if this was an issue surely the one stickof 4GB RAM (1600mhz) would not fire up the PC?

Toconfirm again, if i add one stick of new RAM (1600mhz) and then add another 2 sticks of 2GB (1333mhz) RAM = 8GB RAM Total the PC will not boot.

If i only have 6GB RAM it runs fine.

I have read on the net that this maybe a W7 64 bit problem and i may need to update BIOS or up the voltage ?

If i cant get this resolved, i willhave to sell the other 4GB stickof corsairRAM which i do not want todo.

Regards

Simon

 

[bobkn]

Have you tried just the two new DIMMs, without the old?

 

[sdlangford]

Good afternoon,

Yes i have tried with just the 2 new RAM modules.

I did get the PC to file up today and recognise 7.25GB of RAM, but it was unstable and shut down when i started using a game or anything other than say word !

I am begining to think it is the 1600mhz speed thats causing the problem.

My motherboard states only use RAM upto 1333mhz, my mistake i know that now, but from other threads i believe it should still work just at the lower 1333mhz speed.

I am at al lost now, looks like ill be putting 2 sticks of brand new Corsair RAM on ebay tonight !

Regards

Simon

 

[sdlangford]

Anybody have any final thoughts on this topic ?

Regards

Simon

 

[pscowboy]

I have some.

Why can't you return them to Corsair? Have you talked to them via tech support email, or phone? I find them very accommodating.

Consider another manufacturer like Crucial, GSkill, OCZ. Not all supposed compatible ram works in all boards.

Make sure they're a "matched pair", and always let them figure what's best for that Foxconn mobo.

I would also try our Gaming site for advice, where they are experts in re-clocking ram; if you have those options in BIOS.

You have at least determined that all 4 slots work. But you have not definitively told us whether you indeed, acquired a "matched pair".

 

[sdlangford]

Thanks for your help and suggestions.

The RAM are not a matched pair.

Regards

Simon

 

[chev65]

Hi Guys,

Well i got the 8GB stick of RAM replaced for 2 x 4GB sticks of RAM.

Corsair XMS3.

I put both sticks of new DDR3 memory in the number 1 and 2 slots.

We get a bit further this time, windows sign comes up but then, restart and blue screen !

Take one stick out, so back to 4GB RAM and the PC boots up fine.

I'm confused now, any ideas ?

Regards

Simon

I see a problem here, when you mentioned putting the sticks into the 1 and 2 slots, this isn't typically how you would do that, you would normally use slots 1 and 3 or slots 2 and 4 for two sticks. Some boards have a preference here but it may not matter. You should try to use a matched pair in either case.

You should also check the memory specs and use either the manual memory settings to adjust the memory to specs, voltage, latency, speed etc. although sometimes the XMP memory profiles work pretty well.

 

[paulpicks21]

Anybody have any final thoughts on this topic ?

Regards

Simon

Have you been into the bios to check the timings, speed and voltage is set correctly to match the spec of the new ram?

Paul.

 

[sdlangford]

Thanks guys, i have tried the RAM in slots 1 and 3 (channel 0) and 2 and 4 (channel 1) and still nothing.

Re voltage, timing etc thats a bit above my PC experience so ill be taking the RAM and PC to a local expert tomorrow i think.

Thanks again

Simon