Windows7 only accept 2 GB RAM

[Freekyzone]

Hello,

By some reason Win7 only wil run with 1 x 2 GB RAM.

First i couldn't install Win7 - i got BSOD wit somthing about VSMRAID.SYS and IRQL NOT EQUAL.
Then I try to remove som hardware, and when I removed one of my to 2 GB RAM, then Win7 was installing perfect.

Afterwods I tryed to inset the second 2 GB RAM again - but then BSoD came again.

What is wrong? Why do Win7 give BSoD?

Win XP was OK with 2 x 2 GB - Why is Win7 not?

RAM: 2 x 2 GB GEIL, PC2-6400, DDR2-800
Mainboard: MSI P45 Zilent/Platinum with the newest BIOS.

Please help me

 

[Venths]

Hi,

Welcome to 7 forums

In this regard, i guess the problem is with the 2 GB RAM or the RAM slot. The issue is not with Windows 7.

► Lets say RAM 1 works, RAM 2 caused the issue.

* To find if the defect is with that RAM or the slot, remove the working RAM 1 and place the RAM 2 in that same slot.

* If your Windows works fine, then the problem may be with the other RAM slot. If the RAM 2 causes BSOD now, then the issue is with the RAM. You may have to replace that RAM 2.

* Additionally, you can try interchanging the RAM slots and boot up !.

Hope this helps
*

 

[ickymay]

please can you post your minidump files for analysis ?

VSMRAID.SYS is a VIA raid driver so check that's up to date ?

and I also suggest you burn to CD and run from boot memtest86 for at least 3 passes, with one stick then with both, you won't need to boot into windows at all for this test.

please post results here ?

 

[Orpheous]

Sounds like it's most likely faulty RAM...
Download and burn to disc a copy of Memtest86 then run a test overnight.

 

[Freekyzone]

I will post the minidump - but first, what contain the minidump?

 

[ickymay]

I will post the minidump - but first, what contain the minidump?

drivers and crash details >>

> google< is your friend

 

[Freekyzone]

Thanks

First Venths: I have try to have one singel 2 GB RAM in every 4 slot on the mainboard - and Win7 is starting perfect. I have also tryed with the other 2 GB RAM with the same result.
So the RAM is working fine and mainboard too. Byt when have two RAM in 2 slots - then Win7 is crashing.

So the problem is something wit the to RAM in the slots together - nomater is it is in DUAL or not.

I'll find my minidump an post it here.

 

[Orpheous]

Have a look in the motherboard manual also, some boards will only like to have RAM in say slots 1 & 2, 1 & 3, 3 & 4 for example.

 

[Freekyzone]

Orpheous: I have already looked in my MSI p45 Zilent manual. If I will use DUAL for good performance the system is 1 and 3 or/and 2 and 4 - othervise I can place the RAM as I like.

 

[Freekyzone]

Here is my latest minidump - i hope you guys can help me

 

[chev65]

The extra Ram will no doubt require a bump in the NB voltage in bios to be stable. This is standard procedure with just about any enthusiast board. You may also need to set the memory voltage and timings to manufacture specs. You should also test the memory using Memtest.

 

[ickymay]

Here is my latest minidump - i hope you guys can help me

this latest minidump shows vsmraid.sys as the cause ?

this is your version

• vsmraid.sys vsmraid.sys+d6fd fffff880`015b3000 fffff880`015dd000 0x0002a000 0x4983a701 31/01/2009 01:18:57

can you check to see if your VIA raid drivers are the latest ?

 

[Freekyzone]

Here is my latest minidump - i hope you guys can help me

this latest minidump shows vsmraid.sys as the cause ?




this is your version

• vsmraid.sys vsmraid.sys+d6fd fffff880`015b3000 fffff880`015dd000 0x0002a000 0x4983a701 31/01/2009 01:18:57

can you check to see if your VIA raid drivers are the latest ?

I have found the newest driver, and Win7 was picking it without problems. But I don't understand how some VIA RAID drives have to do with the RAM... But they are updated now

 

[Freekyzone]

The extra Ram will no doubt require a bump in the NB voltage in bios to be stable. This is standard procedure with just about any enthusiast board. You may also need to set the memory voltage and timings to manufacture specs. You should also test the memory using Memtest.

I am not sure I understand you (please forgive me ).
What do you surgest I do now? "Bump in the NB voltage..." What is that?

 

[whest]

You said it worked in xp well there is no problems with your hardware, what it maybe is an incompatible setting in the bios. I would be checking my manual and working thru the bios settings - oK I downloaded your manual and had a bit of a look, and it looks as though Intel Robson under integrated peripherals maybe a problem, but Im only guessing - from your manual -
This item is turbo memory technology that can let the users to enable operation system without accessing hard disk frequently. This boot up way can promote 20% speed and promote the speed of the large application program two times that can speed up the enable time and reduce power consumption.

You could disable that in the bios, and see if you can boot with the 4gb of memory installed. At least you will have a starting point if it is the Intel Robson for further troubleshooting. I've been tossing this around in my head for a while and I cant figure why it works with 2gb and not the 4gb and not real sure I ve given you good advice, however, there's a possibility there, and unless someone else comes up with a better suggestion you havent got anything to loose by trying. Post back if it does make a difference if you try disabling the intel robson.

Driver page : MSI Global ? Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Mainboard, Graphics and more

You could check this post also - http://social.answers.microsoft.com.../thread/d688aa2d-2c38-4280-b18a-2bb091b762ef/

 

[Freekyzone]

You said it worked in xp well there is no problems with your hardware, what it maybe is an incompatible setting in the bios. I would be checking my manual and working thru the bios settings - oK I downloaded your manual and had a bit of a look, and it looks as though Intel Robson under integrated peripherals maybe a problem, but Im only guessing - from your manual -
This item is turbo memory technology that can let the users to enable operation system without accessing hard disk frequently. This boot up way can promote 20% speed and promote the speed of the large application program two times that can speed up the enable time and reduce power consumption.

You could disable that in the bios, and see if you can boot with the 4gb of memory installed. At least you will have a starting point if it is the Intel Robson for further troubleshooting. I've been tossing this around in my head for a while and I cant figure why it works with 2gb and not the 4gb and not real sure I ve given you good advice, however, there's a possibility there, and unless someone else comes up with a better suggestion you havent got anything to loose by trying. Post back if it does make a difference if you try disabling the intel robson.

Driver page : MSI Global ? Computer, Laptop, Notebook, Desktop, Mainboard, Graphics and more

You could check this post also - Blue screen after installing Windows 7

Thanks for your reply.
Unfortanly there is no "Robson" in my BIOS, and I will now try to run Memtest86, and return with the result.

I have been reading my MSI Manual for BIOS, and I can't see, there is any options I could make to get the RAM working :-(

I will now return with the result of the memtest86.

 

[Freekyzone]

Well, the Memtest86 didn't show any sign of problem.

So now i am sure that the problem is something with Win7.
So only if there is som settings in BIOS (that is not default), it is possible that it is the BIOS.

Any one who have an advice?

Regards FZ

 

[whest]

Here is the forum search results:
Windows 7 Forums the biggest Windows 7 discussion forum, friendly help and many Windows 7 tutorials that will help you get the most out of Microsofts new Windows 7 Operating System. - Search Results for VSMRAID.SYS

 

[whest]

Have you tried the MSI forums for a solution? Another question did you change from 32bitXP to a 64bit version of W7? Can you put up your system specs - Im pretty well out of suggestions I think its a bios setting - a 32bit w7 might solve it (if your running 64bit now) although you would be down to 3.2 gb of usable memory - also you might strike a good rep if you contact support on the MSI SITE - post back if you find a solution, its got me baffled.

 

[Freekyzone]

MSI am I already writing with - but they are (sorry) not very good - they are incompetent!
They are writing "yes" "no", "update bios", "try update bios again" - they are not reading my problems, so there is not much help to get there - unfortently.

So...
Yes, I had a 32bit XP before, and got a 64 bit Win7 to get a use of all my 4 GB ram.
BUT.. it is the same problem with 32 bit Win7 - i get BSoD if trying to install 32 bit with 2 ram in the slot on the mainboard.

So i am not sure that it is the 32 og 64 bit there does the different.