Windows stops booting when new RAM is installed

[Elliot B.]

Currently have 1x 4 GB chip.

Trying to install a second 4 GB chip.

Without the new RAM, it boots fine but with the new RAM (in different slots), Windows reboots when it says "Starting Windows" (the animation doesn't even appear).

It also reboots before Startup Repair or Safe mode get properly started.

PC boots fine if I take out the RAM.

The RAM is 100% compatible with the PC.

Any ideas?

EDIT: Tried taking out the older chip and only put the new one in. Same problems. Faulty RAM?

[jnelsoninjax]

Ensure that the BIOS is set to automatic for the RAM timings, see if that helps.

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

w/o further info, it's hard to diagnose. are the two sticks identical in specs? some motherboards require that the RAM be placed in certain slots. are they installed correctly? can you run the single, new stick w/o the old stick installed?

[Elliot B.]

Ensure that the BIOS is set to automatic for the RAM timings, see if that helps.

I see nothing like that in the BIOS.

Nothing related to RAM, even.

[deactivated_]

I actually had the similar behavior, and the fix was to actually uncheck 'automatic' from the RAM timing and set manually to the rated specs of the RAM. Took me FOREVER to figure that one out...

Also, if you remove your original RAM and use only the new RAM does it still boot? It seems you've only confirmed that it still boots correctly if you remove the new RAM.

[Elliot B.]

w/o further info, it's hard to diagnose. are the two sticks identical in specs? some motherboards require that the RAM be placed in certain slots. are they installed correctly? can you run the single, new stick w/o the old stick installed?

As I said, the RAM is 100% compatible with the PC.

Only using the new chip causes the same problems.

[jnelsoninjax]

^It could be located in some advanced chipset or advanced BIOS features

[trag3dy]

I don't really see a need to even guess. Just take it back to where you bought it say it wouldn't boot when it was in. They should replace it without argument. Most ram has lifetime warranty on it if it's a name brand.

[Elliot B.]

I don't really see a need to even guess. Just take it back to where you bought it say it wouldn't boot when it was in. They should replace it without argument.

I bought it originally from Ebuyer. It didn't work (random BSODs after a few hours) so I RMA'd it to Corsair. This new chip is the RMA replacement chip and now the PC won't even boot :/

[trag3dy]

I bought it originally from Ebuyer. It didn't work (random BSODs after a few hours) so I RMA'd it to Corsair. This new chip is the RMA replacement chip and now the PC won't even boot :/

Okie doke, continue looking through the bios for the memory timing options then. :rofl:

Although there is still the outside chance that you're just unlucky and got 2 bad sticks in a row.

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

As I said, the RAM is 100% compatible with the PC.

Only using the new chip causes the same problems.

but you didnt answer my questions.

1. are the sticks identical in specs?

2. some motherboards require that the RAM be placed in certain slots. are they installed correctly?

3. can you run the single, new stick w/o the old stick installed?

[Elliot B.]

Okie doke, continue looking through the bios for the memory timing options then. :rofl:

<snip>

Within Advanced, I see:

• CPU Configuration
  
• Chipset
  
• Onboard Devices Configuration
  
• USB Configuration
  
• PCIPnP
  
• Intel VT-d Configuration

but you didnt answer my questions.

1. are the sticks identical in specs?

2. some motherboards require that the RAM be placed in certain slots. are they installed correctly?

3. can you run the single, new stick w/o the old stick installed?

1. Yes. As I said, I know the RAM is fully compatible with the PC.

2. I've tried various slots.

3. Read my original post edit. The edit was made literally 10 seconds after I first made the topic.

[coth]

Name both modules you are using.

And as said above - ensure RAM timing is set to auto.

If you don't know how to use it, then it should looks like this.

[xendrome]

As others have asked, lets try this.

What is the make/model of the memory, what is the make/model of the system or motherboard?

Help us, help you...

[Elliot B.]

Name both modules you are using.

And as said above - ensure RAM timing is set to auto.

If you don't know how to use it, then it should looks like this.

<image snipped>

As I've said, I see nothing like that in the BIOS. It's a very basic motherboard.

I see no way to adjust RAM timings and even if I could, I would never have touched them.

As others have asked, lets try this.

What is the make/model of the memory, what is the make/model of the system or motherboard?

Help us, help you...

It's a custom built PC. The motherboard information is in my signature, the Asus P7H55-M SI.

Both RAM chips are 4 GB DDR3-1333.

[simplezz]

1. Try Linux (Ubuntu etc) just in case it's Windows that's the problem

2. Set bios defaults

3. Memtest x86

[patseguin Global Moderator]

I've found out the hard way that mobo's are extremely sensitive on RAM. If you're using different brands, that could be causing problems. If you're using a brand and model not even listed by the moobo manufacturer that could be your cuplrit too. I built an i3 HTPC and had stability problems. A fellow Neowinian pointed out the list of compatible RAM with my mobo and I bought it and haven't had a single problem since. From now on when I build, I'm going to the mobo site and making sure I buy RAM listed as approved. That's the biggest lesson I've learned in years.

[Jason S. Global Moderator]

does this help you at all? i pulled this information about the BIOS from the motherboard's manual

Also, you can check in the BIOS whether or not the BIOS even detects both sticks. It'll be under the Sys Info section.

[darth_vader]

If nothing works, do a hard reset on your bios with jumper/button/battery, sometimes it does wonders.

[Elliot B.]

does this help you at all? i pulled this information about the BIOS from the motherboard's manual

The only BIOS screen I can find related to RAM is this one, and it's all set to Auto:

I will try resetting the BIOS defaults in 30 minutes when I get home, although I can't see it helping unfortunately.

[Descartes]

2. Set bios defaults

3. Memtest x86

I'm surprised this hadn't been suggested earlier. This is the first thing I do in case of a similar event.

Should memtest86+ return any errors, the customer service will replace the memory without blinking.

[darth_vader]

I recommend resetting the bios with the jumper and not using restore default settings within bios, it is not the same thing, It happened to me many times and the only way it worked was with hard reset.

[theyarecomingforyou]

I've found out the hard way that mobo's are extremely sensitive on RAM. If you're using different brands, that could be causing problems. If you're using a brand and model not even listed by the moobo manufacturer that could be your cuplrit too.

Actually, I haven't found that to be the case at all. I have two pairs of memory installed, each with a different size, different brand, different speed rating and different timings - the RAM works perfectly in dual-channel and my system is 100% stable (Prime95; Intel Burnt Test). However, when I first installed the RAM my computer wouldn't boot because I had the timings set to manual. It corrected itself though as my motherboard has automatic memory configuration.

Have you got another computer you can test the memory in? If you reset the BIOS and use just the new chip it should theoretically work; if not it would seem it's either faulty or incompatible with your motherboard.

The RAM is 100% compatible with the PC.

How did you determine this? Is the manufacturer specifically listed in the motherboard's manual and/or website or are you referring to the speed rating? Although all RAM should be compatible with all motherboards with the same memory rating the reality is that there are sometimes incompatibilities, which is why motherboard manufacturers usually list specifically compatible memory.

[Elliot B.]

I recommend resetting the bios with the jumper and not using restore default settings within bios, it is not the same thing, It happened to me many times and the only way it worked was with hard reset.

I took the battery out for 30 seconds, which reset the BIOS. Same issues occured.

I'm surprised this hadn't been suggested earlier. This is the first thing I do in case of a similar event.

Should memtest86+ return any errors, the customer service will replace the memory without blinking.

This is... different somehow mate. I just don't feel that is the issue.

Actually, I haven't found that to be the case at all. I have two pairs of memory installed, each with a different size, different brand, different speed rating and different timings - the RAM works perfectly in dual-channel and my system is 100% stable (Prime95; Intel Burnt Test). However, when I first installed the RAM my computer wouldn't boot because I had the timings set to manual. It corrected itself though as my motherboard has automatic memory configuration.

Have you got another computer you can test the memory in? If you reset the BIOS and use just the new chip it should theoretically work; if not it would seem it's either faulty or incompatible with your motherboard.

Unfortunately, I have no other PC to try it in.

How did you determine this? Is the manufacturer specifically listed in the motherboard's manual and/or website or are you referring to the speed rating? Although all RAM should be compatible with all motherboards with the same memory rating the reality is that there are sometimes incompatibilities, which is why motherboard manufacturers usually list specifically compatible memory.

It's Corsair CMV4GX3M1A1333C9.

The other chip (that works perfectly) is "PNY 4GB DIMM DDR3 PC3-10660 1333 MHz 240 PIN".

So they should both be compatible with the motherboard and with each other I presumed :s

[darth_vader]

You should have AI Tweaker in the bios, go to DRAM Frequency and set 1333 MHz, then go to DRAM timing control and set 9-9-9-24, then go to DRAM voltage and set 1.5V (Corsair, PNY).