CPU freezes at startup after new RAM install

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woody3250

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Oct 14, 2012
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I'm trying to upgrade the RAM in my Dell XPS 8100. Here's a link to my cup-z specs: https://www.dropbox.com/s/d11l2yswn7j1fdj/Doc1.pdf
There were originally 4 sticks of 2mb RAM, but whoever refurbished this CPU for dell installed one of the RAM slots with 1333mhz 2gb Kingston ram. Surprisingly it worked well, but I took out the 4th stick for stability.
Heres a link to the RAM I purchased: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231308. I installed 4 sticks for a total of 16gb RAM.

From everything I can tell the new RAM matches the old RAM in every aspect except 4gb vs 2gb per stick. From what I read the motherboard will support 16gb RAM with 64-bit system, and I am running 64 bit version of Win7 Home Premium.

The cpu freezes at the same spot on the startup screen every time. It freezes before I can even access the setup or boot menus. Additionally, from what I can tell, my bios is locked because I have been unable to find any adjustment options for speed, timing, voltage within the bios. I have tried reseating the RAM a couple different times, and a couple different ways of rebooting the computer. I have tried booting the sticks one by one, and a single stick boots, but to a blue screen error. Any more than 1 stick and it doesn't boot at all. My old RAM still boots fine, however.

Any suggestions on what I'm doing wrong or what I can do differently to find/fix my problem? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

BTW I'm posting this from an iPad so I apologize if the links don't work. Let me know and I can try to fix.
 
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Chicano
From several google searches I made, most say such a problem is usually caused by peripherals currently connected to the computer... they can be USB devices or drives, CD drives, Ethernet cable, etc.. even an internal Hard drive... they suggest removing every device that's connected to the motherboard, drives and hard drive, USB connections, ethernet cable, even the keyboard and mouse... leave only the monitor connected. You won't need the keyboard and mouse for the few seconds you need to test the motherboard. Only leave the monitor connected and switch it on. This will remove any possible hardware that may be causing the problem. If there is still no change, the cause may be bad RAM... but test it again without hardware to be...
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woody3250

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Thanks for the quick response. My current BIOS is the most up to date listed (a05). Unfortunately resetting the CMOS didn't work. Just to be clear, after resetting it with the jumper I'm supposed to install the new ram before rebooting (what I did) or do I need to reboot with the old ram once?
 
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Chicano

Chicano

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No, you did it correctly... the BIOS has to recognize the new RAM right from the power up... so if you can see the BIOS post, it does recognize it... but why it doesn't go beyond the boot menu is where the mistery comes in.... Have you checked the BIOS and does it identify the complete RAM size and speed?. Have you tried different RAM speed settings?. You could also try the different BIOS failproof and optimized defaults.

Also resetting the BIOS with the battery removed for 5 to 10 minutes, and doing a hard reset with the power cable removed and holding the power button pressed for a full minute to discharge capacitors and mobo components that may hold residual power. If still no solution, or you can't check/modify the RAM settings as adviced the BIOS limitations blocked functions may be the issue, and maybe consulting with Dell you'll find the solution.

I would also try updating the BIOS with the new RAM in place even with the same BIOS version may help.. the idea is that the BIOS software makes a recount of all the hardware installed including the new RAM.. it would be like deleting the old BIOS software with all it's blockage and forcing the new software to take the new RAM in.

RAM installation may also be the cause... if you have different speed RAM modules, install the faster and larger modules in the 1 and 2 slots, and he slower and smaller modules in the 3 and 4 slots. Also make sure you know which are 1 and 2 and which 3 and 4 slots.

In case it's not a RAM issue but a OS boot issue, try repairing the boot from the Windows disk...
 
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Chicano

Chicano

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One confusing detail is you mentioned it freezes at the startup screen? is that the Dell logo screen?... I took it for the boot menu screen, so if you meant the Dell logo, forget most of my suggestions. The way you distributed the modules on the slots may hold the answer. One example is an issue I had... I had two 2 GB Modules of DDR3 on my PC and I bought two 4GB modules to upgrade to 8GB and use the older RAM on another PC, but in the meantime I decided to use all 4 modules for a total of 12GB. So, I left the older smaller modules in slots 1 and 2... (physically the 2nd and 4th slots), and added the 2x4 modules to slots 3 and 4 (physically 1 and 3) and it did not boot, it sent a RAM error and beeps... so I switched the modules in the slots and problem solved.
It used to be that older mobos were not that picky about ram modules but nowadays you have to consider every small detail to make sure it works.
 
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woody3250

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My apologies for not being clearer. I neglected to mention I purchased 4 sticks of the 4gb G Skill I linked in my original post. So all slots are being used, and they are all exactly the same. When booting the computer freezes early at the Dell logo screen, and it won't even let me enter the BIOS menu. I tried your suggestions regarding the hard reset and removing mobo battery. Still no go. Thanks again
 
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Chicano

Chicano

Judicious
Aug 29, 2011
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From several google searches I made, most say such a problem is usually caused by peripherals currently connected to the computer... they can be USB devices or drives, CD drives, Ethernet cable, etc.. even an internal Hard drive... they suggest removing every device that's connected to the motherboard, drives and hard drive, USB connections, ethernet cable, even the keyboard and mouse... leave only the monitor connected. You won't need the keyboard and mouse for the few seconds you need to test the motherboard. Only leave the monitor connected and switch it on. This will remove any possible hardware that may be causing the problem. If there is still no change, the cause may be bad RAM... but test it again without hardware to be absolutely sure nothing else but the RAM can be the cause.

A few examples that coincide on computer freezing at the Logon screen or BIOS not posting.

PC can't boot pass the Dell Splash Screen? [Solved]
http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-500128-pc-can-t-boot-pass-the-dell-splash-screen

Frozen at the Dell logo no Boot Troubleshooting in 99 Seconds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt5dMMiTggQ

Desktop Computer Will Not Complete Power On Self Test (POST)
http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?docid=577305

My pc will not boot up past the 1st dell page
http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-609997-my-pc-will-not-boot-up-past-the-1st-dell-page
http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-500128-pc-can-t-boot-pass-the-dell-splash-screen

Video (English Only) - What to do When Your Laptop won't Turn On
http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=us&l=en&s=dfh&docid=266435
 
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Robbie1975

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Dec 13, 2014
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Hi Woody,

I am currently facing the exact same issue with the Dell XPS 8100. I am also trying to upgrade 4x 2GB to 4x 4GB, identical to your initial query. I face exactly the same symptoms you described. I have just trial-and-errored it and I found out that plugging up to 8GB will work in the setup. Every time I plug in over 8GB in any composition it freezes at the Dell start op screen, regardless the module you put in.

Have you been able to solve it now?

Thanks!

Rob
 
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Chicano

Chicano

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Aug 29, 2011
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Rob,... Since you're having the same problem as Woody, It's possible that the motherboard model doesn't support more than 8GB of RAM. Sounds impossible because all the hardware would support much more than 8GB but the coincidence suggests something of the sort. I'd suggest looking for detailed information on the computer and motherboard's maximum RAM capacity. You can search in the Dell website by Product Specifications for Motherboard model, and user manual... Search for Computer model (Dell XPS 8100) \ Support \ Downloads \ user_manual.pdf
 
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