Software

Ask something
Question Locked

Computer wont boot after Installing new Ram

0 helpful
12 replies

by timdixon

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

I have just bought 2GB of new ram for my computer because i am upgrading to vista. I decided to try the ram with XP to see if it works but after i install it the computer wont boot???? If i remove the new ram the computer works fine though. What am i doing wrong???
Computer specs:
Asus M2N32 WS Professional Motherboard

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ (3GHz)Processor

BFG NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS OC 320MB PCIe

2GB Ram Old http://www.memoryc.com/products/description/2Gb_OCZ_DDR2_PC2_6400_CL4_ATI_CrossFire_Dual_Channel_kit/index.html

2GB Ram New http://www.ebuyer.com/product/128018/show_product_specifications

Please help.

12 replies

by seanferd

They are different between the old and new memory.

by timdixon

Sorry even though i am good with computers and setting ip hardware hardware i am a bit scared of the BIOS. How do i actually check/change latency timings so it will work??

by seanferd

If you are worried about screwing up something, the failsafe is to exit without saving changes. The BIOS will make this option obvious.

I don't know how to walk you through Asus BIOS setup, but it will be under "Memory" or "RAM" or similar.

by oh smeg

The system will not Boot or will not Post?

If it will not post I have seen this previously where the RAM isn't suitable for the M'Board. In those cases the M'Board doesn't like using 4 sticks of RAM but will happily use 2 X 2 GIG Sticks and not 4 X 1 GIG Sticks. If you go to higher speed RAM on all the RAM that you use with the Intel P43-P45 Chipsets at least you can then populate all 4 RAM Sockets but those M'Boards do not work with more than 2 X Slower RAM fitted. Not sure if the same applies to NVidia Chip Sets but the symptoms are very similar.

In the past when I've needed to install more than 2 RAM Sticks I have gone to the Highest Speed Possible and then fitted 4 of those without a problem. Unfortunately ASUS doesn't list any Compatible RAM on their Web Site so there is no guide to use when looking at what you can fit.

Download the Qualified Vendors List {Memory} from here

http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=mBDSvKdwaNonTlOn&content=specifications

And follow their reconditions as to which RAM to use in the configuration that you want to use. But previously the Owners have opted to go with 2 X 2 GIG Sticks as this has worked out cheaper for them.

Col

by timdixon

What i meant by that was that when i turn the computer on it all whirrs up but the sreen just stays blank.
One of my mates is using 4x1GB of RAM in his computer and he has the same Mobo as me and a similar setup.

by tardcart

Of POST beeps are you getting? A number of Asus boards have a 7seg LED or two on the board for diagnostics. Does this board have that? If so what is displayed?

by tardcart

I love Asus boards, but they can be incredibly picky when it comes to RAM. My Sys Admin and I had built identical systems a while back based on Asus boards and Athlon 64 X2s. We spent the extra dough and sprung for the Corsair XMS Dual Channel matched pair 2x1GB sets. His RAM worked, but mine didn't. So we swapped. My RAM worked in his rig and his worked in mine so we left it alone. I've seen Asus boards reject perfectly good OCZ and Kingston as well so it might take some trial and error to find a couple of sticks that make it happy.

by timdixon

There is absolutely nothing displayed on the screen and no other sound besides the fans whirring up.

by oh smeg

While your friend may have 4 sticks of RAM in his computer what are the RAM Specifications?

As I said above if you use the High Speed Ram in all sockets it tends to work but if you use slower speed RAM in the third & fourth the System fails to start at all. As this is what you are describing here I would say that you have RAM that is too slow for this M'Board fitted and while your Friend may have bought Faster RAM it may work for him that doesn't mean that different RAM will work for you.

If you buy 4 new Sticks of the Fastest RAM Possible that suits this Memory Type it may very well work but here the aim is to increase the amount of RAM Loaded as cheaply as possible I assume so I would advise to return the New RAM and get 2 X 2 GIG Sticks in a Matched Pair and remove the 2 X 1 GIG Sticks that you already have.

If you like you can sell these on a place like E Bay to recover some money.

Col

by timdixon

So having ram modules one set with Memory timings 4-4-4-12 and one set 4-4-4-15 will not work in the computer??
If so i will return the new ram and get 2x2GB sticks. I did not do that to start with because i did not want to waste the old ones but oh well!!!
I thought i was so carefull when choosing the new ram but i obviously missed the bit about memory timings!!!

Thanks so much for your help.

by oh smeg

The speed of the Old RAM here. Previously I have had systems working perfectly with what was fitted but when you try to add more it just prevents the unit from even starting.

It's not so much the New Ram that you bought this time but the original RAM that you used here. Some M'Boards will work perfectly well with Slower RAM if only 2 Sticks are used but refuse to work with 4 sticks of that Speed RAM, they will however work with 4 Sticks of Faster RAM without any problems.

When people first build systems they use what works now and do not install RAM for what they may need in the future so I think that is where your problem started. However having Matched RAM has never hurt anyone and it always works better without any possibility of Timing Issues sneaking in to cause problems latter.

Col

This discussion is closed to new replies.