Windows won't start after upgrading RAM but BIOS recognises it

Sonofwar · May 20, 2014

I recently purchased Corsair Vengeance 8gb (2x4gb) ram clocked at 1600MHz for my PC but now windows goes to windows error recovery, windows failed to start, launch startup repair etc. When i click start windows normally, the pc just restarts and when i click startup repair, it blue screens. My motherboard is compatible with the ram and the ram modules are in the right slots for dual-channel. The BIOS recognises all 8gb of the ram so i don't know what the problem is.

My specs are:
i3 540
Msi P55-CD53
2x4gb corsair vengeance 1600mhz
HD radeon 7850
Windows 7 64bit

bwl · May 20, 2014

Try resetting the cmos memory, it should allow the computer to boot afterwords. If you don't know how to clear the cmos this video explains it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rdHH9KrceR0

Sonofwar · May 20, 2014

Didn't work, still getting the same problem

bwl · May 20, 2014

Sonofwar :

To my knowledge, the only other thing I can suggest is switching the slots. Other than that I'm not too sure, sorry...

Sonofwar · May 20, 2014

I've tried switching the slots, they're definitely in the right ones. I really don't know what the problem could be. Thanks anyway

bwl · May 20, 2014

It just came to my head, make sure that the ram is compatible with your system, if not then that'll be the issue.

I hope you get it sorted...

Tradesman1 · May 20, 2014

Tried w/ a single stick? If can get to BIOS can try raising the DRAM voltage + 0.05 or set it down to 1333 9-9-9-27...else may want to bench it, have a guide that might help here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1753671/bench-troubleshooting.html

Jakku · May 20, 2014

One of the sticks of RAM could be faulty, like someone else said, try booting with a single stick.

Sonofwar · May 20, 2014

Booting from 1 stick just gives the same problem. The bios registers all 8gb of the ram so they should be working fine

Sonofwar · May 22, 2014

Tradesman1 · May 22, 2014

Do you have the latest BIOS? Do the sticks work in a different computer? Do other sticks work in your rig?

Sonofwar · May 22, 2014

The BIOS is up to date. I don't have another pc to try it on. My pc boots with the original ram i had (4x1gb)

Jakku · May 22, 2014

Is the speed of the RAM compatable with your motherboard and can it support 8GB?

Tradesman1 · May 22, 2014

Should work, mobo can support up to 16GB in 4x4GB so these should be fine, should be seen at the mobos default, which I believe is 1066

Sonofwar · May 22, 2014

Yeah it supports 1600MHz, 4GB modules, dual channeling, up to 16GB, 1.5V modules. I've just tried booting Ubuntu, that doesn't work either so i don't think it's the OS

Tradesman1 · May 22, 2014

Might clean the contacts on the sticks and blow out the slots, could try loosening the CPU cooler then snug it back down not overly tight, CPU could be out of balance

Jakku · May 22, 2014

Tradesman1 :

The OP has bought RAM clocked at 1600mhz, unless I'm misunderstanding you, I'm thinking this could be the problem.

OP: From your motherboards manual:
"Memory Support
4 DDR3 DIMMs support DDR3 1600 *(OC)/ 1333/ 1066 DRAM (16GB Max)
Supports Dual-Channel mode
*(For more nformaton on compatble components, please vst
http://www.ms.com/ndex.php?func=testreport)"
The link in the manual does not work for me, and I cannot find out if your motherboard has some form of RAM troubleshooting utility like some ASUS motherboards do (MemOK!).

Depending on where you bought your RAM from, see if you can send it back and buy some lower clocked RAM.

Edit: Too slow

Edit 2: If you do send back your RAM, see if you can get some your motherboard has been tested with: http://www.msi.com/file/test_report/TR10_1845.pdf

Sonofwar · May 22, 2014

In that case, i'd rather just save up for a Haswell motherboard and processor since the cpu i have now is pretty old anyway. Thanks for the help

Tradesman1 · May 22, 2014

It shouldn't matter what the DRAM is spec'ed at clockwise - ANY time you put new DRAM in a mobo it whould go to the mobos default, here more than likely 1066 and should be able to run at that freq. It may however be that the lowest default for the DRAM in the SPD is 1333 and the BIOS can't set them up...See if you can get an older stick to try and might be able to set that up manually to add the new

Sonofwar · May 22, 2014

Changing the DRAM freq doesn't make a difference

Tradesman1 · May 22, 2014

Try 1333, 9-9-9-27 1.56

Sonofwar · May 22, 2014

Those settings still give the same problem

Tradesman1 · May 22, 2014

How about 1066 9-9-9-27, if it will boot there then prob just have a very weak MC (memory controller and CPU will need additional voltages

Sonofwar · May 22, 2014

Nope that's not working either

Tradesman1 · May 22, 2014

Don't know, really strange...

Windows won't start after upgrading RAM but BIOS recognises it

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