Can't seem to run 4GB RAM

courtney4

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Jan 31, 2006
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Hello.

I just upgraded my motherboard/CPU/RAM and have been getting some wierd problems. I tried putting in 4 sticks of RAM and the install of vista would just keep freezing.

I have found that If i use only 2 RAM sticks and I run 2GB of RAM my PC seems to work fine, I could install and boot into vista and it appears as though the PC will work (it stayed on for about 20+ hours without any problems). With 3/4GB it crashes very often and I get a BSOD at the same place when trying to load Vista (error messages suggest memory problem for sure), If i try load into safe mode, I can get into vista fine whilst running 4GB RAM, but it can sometimes crash (note - it does show 4GB of RAM in system properties).

At first I thought it was bad RAM, however, I have tried many different combinations and have run memory tests. It appears as though all the RAM is working correctly as they all passed their own memory test. However, If i put them all in at once...I get errors on memory test.

I googled my problem and found that microsoft released a fix for a very related problem, but it didn't work. I also tried updating the BIOS without any luck.

specs:
Q6600
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L
OCZ DD2 - 1GB sticks

Any help appreciated, thank you.
 

rodney_ws

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Dec 29, 2005
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Well, if you failed MemTest86 you can eliminate Windows as your problem because that test loads without Windows. So I take it you have tested each stick of RAM individually? If not, that should be your first step.
 

courtney4

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Ok I shall try that, thanks

Just another quick question if i may. Is RAM supposed to get hot? I mean the metal heat thingy on the outside does get very hot. My old RAM never seemed to.
 

courtney4

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Interesting...I checked the current voltage and it was a 1.8v. According to OCZ, the RAM should have between 1.9 - 2.0V. I tried 1.9 without luck, but here I am on 2.0V and I booted into vista for the first time with 4GB RAM!

I think you hit the nail on the head! cheers