Boot Issues

[imported_B]

Specs:
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300
MB: Intel DG965WH
RAM: 2 GIGS Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800
Video Card: 7600GT
1 DVD Rom
1 HD
1 Sound Blaster Audigy
Power Supply: Antec Smart Blue 350 watt

Problem: Computer has booted perfectly for the last year. Computer no longer boots reliably, i.e. it the windows loading screen appears for a few seconds, and then the machine shuts down. In order to get into Windows I often have to go into the bios and change the RAM settings from 800 to 667, or back. Once in windows computer is stable and runs just fine.

The problem started occurring after I added an additional 2 gigs of Crucial Ballistix Tracers (ddr2 800) for a total of 4gigs of ram. I removed these extra two sticks of ram and problem still occurs.

Other notes: this motherboard is particular with ram, but the Intel website says the ram is supported. Also, note that computer is not overclocked, as Intel motherboards do not include these options in bios.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

 

[cozumel]

Hi B and welcome to the forum.

The first thing I would try as it started after the new RAM would be to give the internals a good clean with a compressed air can and blow out any dust that may have got into the RAM slots or elsewhere.

 

[imported_B]

Good idea. I will give that a shot and reply back. Thank you!

 

[ITloser]

B,
Wow, they allow one character aliases? Well anyway...sometimes memory doesn't work as idealistically as we'd like. Perhaps you are having issues with using 4 sticks of memory as some users report with various boards/chipsets. The only solution that generally helps is to lower the clock speed (as you indicated) - dunno about 965 chipset support for this ideal feature.

FYI - 2 things - you don't list the other memory in your system. Sometimes the timings vary when you separate the purchases as you did. That can impact reliability I believe. Also, no OS details are provided but all 32-bit Windows only actually support about 3.2GB of memory. Not sure but that might be a problem for your mobo or hw.

Make sure you dust the memory slots themselves. Can't say that I've seen it, but dust in a slot could certainly cause issues.

Finally, try ONLY the new memory.

And let it air for a few minutes before dropping it all together and powering it on again. A little condensation from those air cans and you created a new problem.

 

[imported_B]

Update: I have blown out the ram slots and the ram contacts. Further, now the older and dependable RAM is now acting the same as the new RAM. In other words, with either set of RAM the computer will no longer dependably boot. Any other ideas?

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Clear CMOS with PSU turned OFF. Manually adjust RAM voltage and timing per specs.

Get a new PSU. Antec Earthwatts 380 is on sale @ NewEgg for $20 AR. See hot deals forum.

 

[imported_B]

Thank you for the response. I will try clearing the CMOS with PSU unplugged and adjust timings accordingly. If that does not work I will try a new PSU. Thanks for the tip on the hot deals forum!

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: B
Thank you for the response. I will try clearing the CMOS with PSU unplugged and adjust timings accordingly. If that does not work I will try a new PSU. Thanks for the tip on the hot deals forum!

It's an excellent PSU, even @ $30. Good luck with the troubleshooting.

 

[imported_B]

Well, my problem is still persisting. I took your recommendations and ordered the Antec Earthwatts 380 PSU from Newegg - hope it is a good unit.

Should be here next week and I will report back once it is instally.

Its seems logical enough that my powersupply is on its way out. I have had it for 6 years.

 

[imported_B]

Well it appears my problem is solved.

I installed a new Antec EarthWatts power supply, which I purchased for $20 after MIR from Newegg. The computer is running with all 4gigs of RAM. The new RAM was not the culprit; rather, I think it was the proverbial straw that broke the camels back, straining my old power supply to its very limits.

As mentioned in one of my previous posts, the power supply I replaced was about six years old. Out of curiosity I opened it up to have a look inside. Many of the capacitors had leaked - it was a complete mess. It?s a wonder it worked at all. If anyone can explain how it was able to function in that state of disrepair you get bonus points.

Thank you to all for your assistance and the warm welcome. I would not have diagnosed the problem without your help, nor would I have received such a great deal on the replacement power supply.