Comments for Why does my computer crash after adding RAM?

Comment from Tony on 2009-11-08

2009-11-08T11:20:09Z

Just to add my piece-
IBM T20 ThinkPad, stable but too much use of the swapfile with 2x 128Mb modules.
Changed them for 2x 256Mb modules, Windows crashed after a while.
Supplier changed the modules, Windows still crashed, even after full re-install.
Ran Microsoft's memory checker for 48 hours continuous, not one error.
Back to the 2x 128, stable again.
more info-
One 128 module is IBM (Hyundai chips) & the other 128 module is Corsair (Micron Technology chips).
First pair of 256 modules had Samsung chips, second pair are Buffalo chips.

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A comment on: Why does my computer crash after adding RAM?

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Comment from steve on 2009-08-30

2009-08-31T06:54:37Z

my computer was absolutely buggered crashing and screen not coming on about everything tht cud go wrong did then i took a ram chip out and it worked perfect. I got a hold of another and added tht it worked fine then one day it decided to act up again so i took the ram out, and tho very slow worked fine again, when i tried to put in new ram just a minute ago it loaded onto windows then frooze at desktop i had to turn off at wall as button wouldnt respond then take ram out now so is it a problem with my ram ports, bios, chips, or is my computer just a pile of crap with a very tyred hamster running in its wheel trying to get my comp going. When I got this pc the only prob was it had no ram the processors 2.8 ghz good mother board average video card etc so why cant it handle sum decent ram?

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A comment on: Why does my computer crash after adding RAM?

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Comment from Mark on 2009-07-01

2009-07-02T03:36:43Z

On another note, if you are reasonably sure that it is bad ram and you bought it new, be sure to look into warranties (always save the packaging). I had a similar issue with some Kingston ram. One of the two chips I bought didn't work. I called customer service and they replaced the bad chip for free with minimal hassle. It pays to check on that before you go out and buy another chip.

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A comment on: Why does my computer crash after adding RAM?

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Comment from Calvin on 2009-07-01

2009-07-01T10:42:25Z

Don't depend totally on Crucial. I have had it give me incorrect information on compatible memory before.

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A comment on: Why does my computer crash after adding RAM?

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Comment from Lynn Paterson on 2009-06-30

2009-07-01T06:59:36Z

I had the same problem. I Took the new 512 stick out & no problems. I Have now brought a new stick & all is going fine.

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A comment on: Why does my computer crash after adding RAM?

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Comment from richard on 2009-06-30

2009-07-01T01:38:45Z

I tried upgrading my friends DaeWoo CT6560-cady1 with 2 x 256MB RAM and with one or the other in either slot the machine works but put both in and windows XP freaks out with a STOP: 0x00000005 error, telling me to do this and that and to press "F7" while installing windows, I'm not installing windows, it's been installed for over 5 years now, the RAM isn't bad I've tested both one at a time in both slots but only one at a time will allow windows to boot, put 2 in and it hangs take either one out and it starts up

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A comment on: Why does my computer crash after adding RAM?

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Comment from JH on 2009-06-30

2009-06-30T21:12:52Z

It is more or less true Windows will only recognise 3GB, if it is 32 bit it can address 2^32 ie 4GB RAM but some is taken up for other uses aside from graphics. For example, I have a 256MB card and 4GB RAM and Windows only reports 3327MB. However, if you use matched memory modules they can operate in dual channel mode which is faster.

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A comment on: Why does my computer crash after adding RAM?

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Comment from ron on 2009-06-30

2009-06-30T20:27:34Z

Similar problem: I bought two 2G sticks for Lenovo box. They will not work together, but work flawlessly alone or with a 1G stick. The MB has only two slots, so the maximum I can get to work is 3G. I got a video card with 1G memory. Is it true that 32 bit Vista, with a 4G max, would only recognize 3G RAM anyway, with a 1G video card?

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A comment on: Why does my computer crash after adding RAM?

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Comment from Wilf on 2009-06-30

2009-06-30T19:33:04Z

I had memory problems after building a PC but when I emailed the company they told me the voltage in my bios had to be change. Once changed no problems.

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A comment on: Why does my computer crash after adding RAM?

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Comment from Dennis Jackson on 2009-06-30

2009-06-30T16:46:02Z

You might want to check the BIOS FSB and memory timing settings. How adjustable these are depends on the particular BIOS, but the BIOS of many machines allows the user to set processor, FSB and memory speed for overclocking. The problem may be that memory is overclocked (can even come that way from the manufacturer), and the new memory chip can't handle it. Usually, a BIOS has a "safe mode" option, which sets BIOS timing values so that there shouldn't be issues - you might want to try that first to see if this fixes the problem. Otherwise, go with MEMTEST86+, as previously mentioned, and do the test one chip at a time to isolate the bad memory chip.

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A comment on: Why does my computer crash after adding RAM?

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Comment from Al Simons on 2009-06-29

2009-06-29T20:13:28Z

Leo, I think you mean you WOULDN'T expect a reinstall to have any effect on this type of problem, right?

Whoops. Very true - corrected in the article. Thanks for catching that.

- Leo
30-Jun-2009

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A comment on: Why does my computer crash after adding RAM?

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