Windows will not boot after installing new ram

[DanDaMan315]

KV8 mobo, 64 3400+, the mobo has 3 DIMM slots and i just bought another 512 stick to make it 1.5gb. There are 512mb in each of the 3, its pc3200. For some reason it wont get past the windows loading screen (xp sp2), I have heard that 3 sticks may slow things down or it might need more voltage. I just dont know. Please help me.

 

[mechBgon]

Drop memory speed to 100MHz base speed (PC1600 speed) and ensure that you've got adequate memory voltage for the modules you're using.

 

[everman]

Have you confirmed that it will boot without the new ram? (take it out)
If so, will it boot with "only" the new ram? (possible conflict?)

 

[DanDaMan315]

well i believe the voltage is 2.5, stock settings, which is what my ram is recommended to run at.

 

[h2]

What kind of ram? What brand? Did you match your old ram exactly? Or did you go to fred's ram superstore and pickup a great deal for only $39.99?

Never try to save money with ram, and never mismatch ram, especially on very high speed systems. That's a great way to have what is happening to you happen. But I've also seen systems reject matched ram, then accept other ones. Check the mobo faqs, check the manual, did you use the ram they recommended? If you didn't, you may now know why they recommended brand x ory. The one you didn't get, that is.

 

[DanDaMan315]

well its working now at 2.9v, 200mhz. I dont want it to be this slow though, I'll try working it up to more speed. Its Centon memory, $40 for 512 at MicroCenter, funny thing is its a match with my existing ram.🙂
At least I think it is.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: DanDaMan315
well i believe the voltage is 2.5, stock settings, which is what my ram is recommended to run at.

Raise the voltage a little, to 2.6 volts for now. Drop the memory speed as I suggested. If this is an Abit KV8 then you may be able to bring it as high as DDR333 (166MHz base speed) with three modules, but if you're going for DDR400 on three modules... good luck.

 

[DanDaMan315]

I have it at 266mhz, with 2.8v. Why wont it go up to 400mhz, and if it can't is it really worth the extra 512 to slow down all my memory?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: DanDaMan315
I have it at 266mhz, with 2.8v. Why wont it go up to 400mhz, and if it can't is it really worth the extra 512 to slow down all my memory?

That's par for the course with Socket754 processors. Do some benchmarks in your favorite games or apps to see what the performance drop of DDR333 is, and ask yourself if you know what you need the extra 512MB for. If you routinely do heavy Photoshop work, Everquest 2, or other situations where you overrun 1GB of RAM, then the extra 512MB will probably be worth a slight penalty the rest of the time.

Again, this is pretty much normal & expected for a single-channel setup.

 

[DanDaMan315]

k thanks for your help, my friend is building a computer this weekend and I think I'll just sell him the stick. Cuz in reality I dont NEED the 512, it was just $40 so I had to buy it.

 

[h2]

Anyone toying with the idea of buying an Athlon64 system should exercise care with regard to the memory modules to be used. If possible, a right of return for the motherboard and/or the working memory should be agreed with the dealer when purchasing items - or alternatively a single, 1 GB DIMM should be bought.

The controversy surrounding the subject of memory will most probably die down now that the Socket 939 has been launched. All processors for this socket include the dual-channel memory interface, which became known through the Athlon64 FX. This then also works with non-registered DIMMs.

http://www6.tomshardware.com/m...memory_modules-26.html

by the way, what's up with no bb code, that's stupid. Don't make people learn non-standard stuff just to be able to post on a forum.

 

[mechBgon]

You're really close... change {quote} to {q} (with square brackets).