Windows/RAM question

[sammm]

I'm trying to upgrade my HTPC from 2gb RAM to 4gb. The BIOS recognizes it (4 gb), but Windows won't start up. I'll get to the banner page, but it stops there.

I can boot off the new memory alone (2gb), no issues. I can boot off the old memory alone (2gb), no issues. Both sets are DDR2-6400 800mhz, but different brands.

All 4 of them are 1gb sticks.

I'm stumped.

[POS Racing]

[Majik]

Have you tried a different order for the ram? I might be remembering wrong, but I feel like I added some once and it mattered whether the new or old were in slots 1-2 or 3-4.

[sammm]

^I did try shuffling what slots they were in...even tried mixing 1-old, 1-new in a pair of slots.

What I don't understand is that BIOS recognizes 4gb, but it's Windows that has the issue.

[Vissi]

Do you know the motherboard model?

Can you get into safe mode?

Just because it shows in bios does not mean its stable, maybe try something like memtest86 to make sure that everything is bueno?

[sammm]

Here's the mobo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128056

I have not tried 1 of each, but will later.

EDIT - I did try 1 of each in both slots (Windows froze during init), but not 1 of each in 1 slot only.

[Vissi]

What brand/model is the new ram? It looks like they have not updated there supported ram list in foreevverr, but there is a chance that the old ram and new ram will not play nice. Although I have never seen any issues, they do not recommend mixing brands of ram.

http://ee.gigabyte.com/products/page...h_10/download/


Is the firmware all up to date? ( looks like the most recent is from 2009, bios version f7e)

What version of windows and is it 32 or 64bit?

[sammm]

New RAM is A-Tech, old is G-Skill (both have exact same specs). I built the HTPC back in 2007 (remember that Majik?).

I have not updated BIOS, and I'm running WIN7, 64-bit.

[Vissi]

I would update the firmware just to make sure you have the base covered, but I do not think that will fix the issue.

Maybe restore bios settings to default or disable dual channel for the ram?

Any luck with safe mode? Just mash on f8 while it is turning on.

[sammm]

Success! I cleared the CMOS, and was able to get it to boot with both sets of RAM installed. I did update the BIOS while I was as it (after it had already worked).

Thanks for the help guys!

[Vissi]

Anytime! Glad it worked, but no idea why exactly it did :p

[sammm]

Glad it worked, but no idea why exactly it did :p

That makes at least 2 of us!