Hanging on boot

[opticalmace]

Hi I'm running an MSI K8N Neo plat with a 3000+ 64, and a 512 ddr400 stick, as well as a 1gb ddr400 stick.

i was given another 512 stick, which i put in....

after doing so, the system would hang upon the windows xp pro logo appearing (the time at which it should scroll through that little green bar below the logo).

i tried taking the new RAM out but it did the same thing.

i've tried each individual stick in each slot. with this new 512 stick, the system beeps every few seconds continuously, and it does nothing whatsoever.

with the other sticks, it'll just hang at the windows logo.

keep in mind however, that it will boot into safe mode no problem.



any ideas at all? thanks

 

[HPTech]

Hi!

Your RAM setup is non-standard, you should really try to keep the sizes and timings the same to avoid issues, although this is meant to be less important nowadays it does still create problems occasionally. Try this:

Put the 1GB stick in only in DIMM0
Reset your BIOS
Go to your memory timings BIOS page on boot and set your timings to 3-3-3-10 for testing.
Boot into windows.

If it's booting into windows fine here then I'd say it's the ram, they might have different SPD timings and the BIOS is having difficulty managing them correctly.

Try the above for the 2x512 sticks, manually set the timings as above.

If you can get into windows on the above timings then gradually tighten them as far as stability will allow.

HTH - report back
MikeHP

 

[opticalmace]

WOW it worked! thank you so much.

interestingly enough, the 1gb stick is the only one that works. the OCZ stick locks up the computer, and so does the new generic one!

i believe the 1gb one is samsung or some brand like that.

i am now looking for new ram. any recommendations? i'll be buying from www.ncix.com

thanks so much! now i can waste my life on World of Warcraft again!

 

[HPTech]

Always a good waste of time though WoW

I'm using OCZ GX PC3500 at the momemnt and couldn't recommend it enough

If you're not overclocking, Geil Value 2GB kits or Corsair Vaule kits are hard to beat in price/performance

Glad to help!
MikeHP