Rusch
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2 GB DDR2 + 1 GB DDR2 = RESTART ?
Hello, I am running a WinXP pro x32 system, and i recently bought another 2GBs of DDR2 RAM. So I removed the old GB, and inserted the new sticks (because I thought that my RAM was faulty). Later, I found that there was nothing wrong with my RAM, and stuck that one extra GB in there again. Now, when I start up my computer with the 3GBs of DDR2 RAM inserted, I come straight to the boot menu. So I choose to start windows normally, and the computer just reboots.. and ends up in that menu again, in an endless loop.
Anyone got any good ideas? Appreciate.. Thanks
Anyone got any good ideas? Appreciate.. Thanks
PUNKY
You should not mix both types of memory, it could cause a lot of issue.
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ASKER
It is the SAME type of RAM, even same brand.
Two 1024MB Modules Corsair DDR2 Twin2X Matched memory Pair (2 GB)
Two 512MB Modules Corsair DDR2 Memory Module Kit (1 GB)
Stand-Alone both work fine. But together I get the problem described above.
Thoughts anyone?
Two 1024MB Modules Corsair DDR2 Twin2X Matched memory Pair (2 GB)
Two 512MB Modules Corsair DDR2 Memory Module Kit (1 GB)
Stand-Alone both work fine. But together I get the problem described above.
Thoughts anyone?
ASKER
I have a very basic motherboard, MSI K9NU Neo-V (MS-7270).
Could you list what is your motherboard brand / model?
ASKER
K9NU Neo-V; Main Memory:
" Supports Dual DDR II 400/533/667/800
" 4 DDRII DIMMs (240pin / 1.8V)
" Supports a maximum memory size up to 8GB.
more info at: http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=261&maincat_no=1
" Supports Dual DDR II 400/533/667/800
" 4 DDRII DIMMs (240pin / 1.8V)
" Supports a maximum memory size up to 8GB.
more info at: http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=261&maincat_no=1
ASKER
You can do with four single-rank DIMMs, or two dual-rank DIMMs on this motherboard. And your system supports dual channel memory, then you might either have to have 4 ranks (single channel ram) or dual channel RAM on same color slots for each pair.
The way you setup is mix single and dual rank DIMMS, that will tend to reduce performance, or worst case, the chipset will not be able to uniformly distribute addresses.
The way you setup is mix single and dual rank DIMMS, that will tend to reduce performance, or worst case, the chipset will not be able to uniformly distribute addresses.
ASKER
Ok, maybe the terminology is messing with my head but im confused. You're saying i have to use either 4 stand-alone ram sticks (no 2x modules) OR i have to make sure that both the 2xmodulekits are on the same colord RAM slots. E.g. the two 1024MB sticks, should be together on green, and the two 512MB sticks should be together on orange? Cuz that is how I had it set up.
Different mobo's use the colors differently. You need to check the manual to see how your mobo does dual-channel, and make sure the matched sticks are in the correct slots.
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Hi rusch, a quick thing to check here is that you did NOT hibernate ur PC the last time before you inserted the extra memory? Simple reason, windows may somtimes not even prompt you to 'delete restoration data' when in reality thats whats goofing it up.
Check that the same size/type of ram chips are in the same coloured slots, thats how u should have them. Unfortunately, I have found MSI to be a very sensitive brand with memory in the olden days, to the point where I always prefer Gigabyte to MSI.
Check that the same size/type of ram chips are in the same coloured slots, thats how u should have them. Unfortunately, I have found MSI to be a very sensitive brand with memory in the olden days, to the point where I always prefer Gigabyte to MSI.
And yes, try to see what happens when loading in safe mode etc... same problem?
ASKER
Ok, feelin kinda stupid and confused now. But I changed slots for the RAM. Put the 2GB in the green slots, and the 1GB in the orange slots, and now it loaded without any problems. Seems retarded if you ask me. But it works, so I am happy. Thanks a lot for all of your help. Dont know how i'm gonna give the points for the solution here, but Im gonna try to give you all points if it is possible. Thanks again lot!
>> Seems retarded if you ask me. But it works...
LOL. Ain't hardware fun. : )
LOL. Ain't hardware fun. : )
Not as unusual as you might think. Note my earlier comment, "... you may have an issue whereby the motherboard is not correctly setting the speed via the SPD ..." ==> sometimes when you mix speeds the SPD's will only be correctly recognized if the relative speeds are in a specific order (which order depends on the BIOS's detection and polling algorithms for the SPD info). That's very likely what happened here.
Thanks for the points. Cheers