2x2GB RAM sticks and gfx card, won't boot. But take either the gfx or 1 RAM out, and no bother. Ideas?

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Macdonaldm2

Macdonaldm2

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Jul 14, 2013
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Okay so here's my issue.
My system will boot past the BIOS splash screen and load into windows with 2 sticks of 2GB RAM and using the motherboards onboard graphics, but will not boot past the BIOS with the dedicated card in. AND if I remove 1 RAM stick at random and boot with the dedicated card installed, the system boots past the BIOS with no issue, and then the system is left with a severe lack of RAM. Below is a list of the systems specs without the graphics card installed:

Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.130505-1534)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Acer
System Model: ASM1610/VTM261
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5700 @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3072MB RAM
Page File: 1433MB used, 4705MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

And the graphics card I am trying to install just to bring the machines graphics slightly more up to date is:

GeForce GT520 1G

http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=01g-p3-1521-kr

Any help would be appreciatted. I have attempted all troubleshooting processes that I can think of (from reseating everything, trying one component at a time, updating all the drivers, cleaning all the contacts, etc) and nothing seems to work. Endless Google searches turn up loads of RAM specific fixes or Graphic specific fixes, but I have yet to come across anyone having the same issues that I am having. Any help?
 
Solution
Macdonaldm2
Resolved. Turns out the CPU was struggling with a corrupt video driver for the graphics card the second after the POST had resolved. So the high DPC was preventing the memory from initialising properly. I used latencymon to troubleshoot this issue, and it worked an absolute charm. I would totally recommend it for anyone having unknown issues with seemingly working hardware or software.
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Macdonaldm2

Macdonaldm2

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Jul 14, 2013
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The system runs fine on both 32-64 bit windows 7, however running the 64 bit version currently is not an option as it takes twice as much of the limited resources available to it until such times as I can get all the components running together.

The power supply I'm using is a 550w, but despite changing it out for another 550w and also originally trying a lower wattage (230-250) it still made no difference.

The BIOs is as up to date as possible, the manufacturer and other sources all site the same BIOS version as the most current and the system is running it, as I updated it long before there were any issues. The RAM limit on the board has worked with 4gb installed running 64-bit windows and registering the full 4GB and had full access to all of it, as stated above, currently running 32-bit due to the lack of system resources currently available to the computer.
 
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Maxime506

Maxime506

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Apr 22, 2013
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Going worse, probably the mobo won't support both RAMs and a discrete gfx putting together. Maybe a bug of your mobo.
 
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Macdonaldm2

Macdonaldm2

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Jul 14, 2013
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The motherboard does support all 2 RAM sticks and the dedicated graphics card. I had them running previously on the system fine, with an early gfx card. I bought a dual core upgrade for it and it worked fine also, for a time. And then I started having issues. I cross checked that the processor, motherboard, ram and gfx card were all compatible and had it on good authority that there should be absolutely no conflicts of any kind. Changing out the gfx card to the older one doesn't work anymore either, but again it does if there is only 1 stick of RAM in the dimm slots. I'm genuinely at my wits end with this one. All of the standard troubleshooting for hardware and software literally turn up nothing. I would sooner not right the system off, as it's still got a couple of years life left in it, plus I would rather not have to fork out a few hundred pounds for a replacement system all together.
 
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ur6beersaway

ur6beersaway

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Apr 18, 2013
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Thank you, Sounds like a defective slot. 1X4gb stick?
 
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Macdonaldm2

Macdonaldm2

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Jul 14, 2013
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The slots work perfectly well. The RAM sticks cna be interchanged or used independently in each slot without issue. Also the motherboard will not support anything over 2GB per stick, per dimm slot. Otherwise I would have already used that method, unfortunately it's not a choice.

Just noticed something actually. When the gfx card is installed and there is only 1 RAM stick in, I would expect the system to struggle a bit while running. But I know it's not normal for the system to suddenly tell me that the CPU is idling at 50-60% when not in use...
 
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Macdonaldm2

Macdonaldm2

Honorable
Jul 14, 2013
5
0
10,520
Resolved. Turns out the CPU was struggling with a corrupt video driver for the graphics card the second after the POST had resolved. So the high DPC was preventing the memory from initialising properly. I used latencymon to troubleshoot this issue, and it worked an absolute charm. I would totally recommend it for anyone having unknown issues with seemingly working hardware or software.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
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