I just bought vista 64 bit, and installed it.
 
I also bought 2 sticks of 2gig ram to up to 4 gigs..
 
I have 2 ram slots.. and my system holds up to 8gigs..
 
with the 4gigs installed.. my sound hisses and doesn't work, and my video artifacts during normal functions. If i try to adjust either, the pc freezes and either BSODS or restarts.
 
I took out one of the sticks.. (it didn't matter which or which slot it was in) and the pc worked perfect.. sound and video.. no issues..
 
can't seem to get it running stable with all 4 gigs..  
 
I have a 500w power supply... any ideas?

There is an issue in Vista 64 with 4 gigs.  You have to download and install the fix from microsoft.  Windows update doesnt automatically update if you scan.
 
You need to only run with 2 gigs until the patch is installed.
 
I will try to find and give u the link...
 
 
Here u go:
 
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929777
 
 
Let us know if this doesnt fix it.  & let us know if it does...  

I tried this. it said that there were no updates available for my system.
 
I have a "trial" version of 64 bit vista installed with SP1, but no updates yet.. could that be why?
 
I am installing the dvd i bought today, and activating it.. so maybe that will allow me to update.

You went to the link I provided above, tried to install it and it said it wasnt available?  That doesnt make sense.
 
Maybe your problem is it being a trial OS.  As I said before, if your trying to scan for updates you wont get it.  You have to go to the link I provided above and manually install this update.

If you are using a "Trial Verison", I doubt they are going to give you access to upgrades or updates. Just get your wallet out and go buy the full version.

by the way, i have already bought it.. just didn't come in til today.
 
will install when i get home.
 
i don't think either of these are the issues however. I found a thread where users were experiencing the same issues I am.. when trying to use 4 gigs, in vista 64 bit with a board with a 690g chipset..
 
anyone else heard of this?

 
 
It does make sense - That KB is a patch to fix an issue concerning certain types of memory controller causing a blue screen on start up when use with 4GB+ of memory installed.   If he doesn't have that particular kind of controller, then that KB doesn't apply.
 
 
OP - Ensure you have the Latest Bios installed from yoru Mobo maker. Then manually set your memory timings and voltages.  Then use Memtest to check that you don't have bad modules.

I'm gonna try to update the BIOS when i get home. i already tested the ram.. its fine.  
 
here is the link to the thread where people are having the same problem..
 
http://forums.anandtech.com/messag [...] id=2106008
 
this is exactly what  I  am experiencing

Im all about trying to fix a problem but if updating the BIOS doesnt fix the issue and the patch I suggested is not a fix then I would say its about time to RMA.
 
Get another and try it or if its recent enough of a purchase I would return it and get a different motherboard altogether but thats me.

update:
 
Flashed the bios last night.
 
here I sit, no errors.. perfect sound, perfect video.. and 4 gigs of ram.. all being seen and used in Vista 64 bit.
 
thanks guys