4GB RAM Issue w/ Video Card

[octopus41092]

Ok, so I just swapped my power supply out for a NeoPower 500w and now my computer no longer boots up and my monitor will get no signal. I also upgraded to 4GB of G.Skill RAM. I'm thinking that it might be my video card though because even without RAM it should show something on the monitor right? I've noticed that the two red lights on my HD4850 will flash once and then go away. I don't know if that means anything though... Does anyone know what might be causing this problem? I have checked all cables. I've plugged in the 24-pin and the 4-pin tightly. The only one that I don't have plugged in is the 8-pin which my motherboard does not have a slot for.

Any help would be appreciated.

EDIT:

Alright, so I figured out what the problem was. Turns out when I put in 4GB of RAM my video card's memory won't get detected or something and it won't even POST. Anyways, is there a way to make my computer detect this 4GB and still work? I always thought that it would just detect it as 3GB or whatever.. But anyways, how could I get this to work with the 4GB in without upgrading to XP 64-bit or Vista?

 

[mpilchfamily]

If there is no RAm the system won't get past the POST and won't display anything. The POST checks the CPU, then the RAM then the video card. If anything in that chain is missing the system gives a beep code and then stops everything.

Recheck all of the connections and make sure all of the parts are secure.

 

[octopus41092]

I figured out what the problem was. Turns out if I have 4GB of RAM in it won't detect the memory on the video card and it wont display anything. I thought that the OS would just detect 3GB of RAM or whatever and boot up fine. Is there any way to fix this or would I have to upgrade to a 64-bit OS?

 

[mpilchfamily]

It should be able to detect the RAM without a problem. Many boards need to have the RAM voltage bumped up a bit in order to handle a full 4GB of RAM. More dimms require a bit more power. So with only 2GB in gie the voltage a bump in the bios then try the full 4 gb. And yes the system will only be able to use about 3.5Gb of the RAM. If you want the full 4 then you will need a 64 bit OS. Vista 64 is the best option. There are still allot fo compatibility issues with XP 64.

 

[octopus41092]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
It should be able to detect the RAM without a problem. Many boards need to have the RAM voltage bumped up a bit in order to handle a full 4GB of RAM. More dimms require a bit more power. So with only 2GB in gie the voltage a bump in the bios then try the full 4 gb. And yes the system will only be able to use about 3.5Gb of the RAM. If you want the full 4 then you will need a 64 bit OS. Vista 64 is the best option. There are still allot fo compatibility issues with XP 64.

Well, this is the new G.Skill Pi Black ram and it requires only 1.8V-1.9V. Anyways, I went into my BIOS and set it to 1.95V and still no go. The only way I can get it to boot is with just one stick of 2GB. I'm also sure that its not the RAM that's broken since I tried it with each stick and they both work. Any thoughts?

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Bios updated?

 

[octopus41092]

Hrmm... it has been a while since I last updated the BIOS. I'll try that out later on and see if that helps and let you know.