Added New Memory, CPU is Now Tanking?

[CountryGuy]

1. Overview of the problem
   Added new memory, CPU is now tanking
   
   
2. Full description of the problem and symptoms
   Hello all. I started earlier today with the following working system:
   MSI P6N SLI Platinum LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI motherboard
   Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 processor
   Patriot Extreme Performance 2 x 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel memory
   Running Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit
   
   I decided to add some additional memory, so I purchased 2 G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel chips due to their rating on NewEgg, and due to the price. I installed the chips, the BIOS recognizes 4GB of RAM... And that's where the good times end.
   
   Once I go to boot into Windows, the process now takes FOREVER (5 minutes), and once I am in Windows everything is running slower as the CPU is pegged (for a number of different processes: Sometimes its Windows Explorer, sometimes its something else). The memory is recognized in Windows (listed as 4GB).
   
   I'm running a memory check now (since that's the only change I made), but any ideas what would cause the CPU to tank like this?

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Incompatibilities or a bad stick are the only things I can think of, you ar going about it the right way by running a mem test first off.

 

[CountryGuy]

Memory test (Extended, 2 passes) came back with no issues.

My next thought is the BIOS -- I'm still running v1.0 of my BIOS (there have been about 6 updates since then via MSI).

I'll probably pull the memory real quick to confirm its definitely the memory (i.e. take it out and see if the performance problems stop). Do you think it could be software related (i.e. Vista itself, maybe reformatting would help?)

Beyond that, I'll have to probably contact MSI.

UPDATE: OK, took the memory out, and everything went back to normal (so I didn't unleash a static charge on my mobo or CPU -- While I took precautions I have to admit it was in the back of my mind!). Vista started trying to re-find drivers and such for hardware, which was weird -- But brings up a possible second cause other than the BIOS).

So, my question now is, do I start first by re-installing Vista (I have all of my files backed up, so no biggie other than time), or updating the BIOS (like I said, I have the original from MSI, they've released 6 versions since then), or something else?

Thanks again for the help, its appreciated!

 

[CountryGuy]

Oh, and Radicl -- That quote is your sig is absolutely hysterical, and sadly probably true ;-)

 

[CountryGuy]

Just wanted to let you know the resolution: Turns out it was my BIOS after all. After buying an external floppy drive (didn't think I'd ever need one of those again) and updating the BIOS, the memory is working fine.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Nice, glad you found the issue.