Tom's Hardware > Forum > Motherboards & Memory > Memory > Problem with upgrading RAM
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jonphoenix86   04-02-2009 at 11:07:27 AM

I wanted to upgrade my computer from 2 x DDR PC2-5200 @ 512MB to 2 DDR PC2-5200 x @ 2GB. When both new RAM pieces were put into my computer, I got a "There's been a serious error, please restart message". I managed to get it to boot in safe mode and it registered that there were about 4GB RAM there, but when I tried booting up again normally, it gave the same error.
I tried each piece separately in each of the two slots to make sure that there was no problem with either RAM piece or RAM slot.
I tried looking at the BIOS, but I wasn't really sure what I could alter to try to get around this.
I was assured by a shop assistant that my computer would be able to support this upgrade and that all I needed to do was plug & play...
Please could someone help me find a way to get both RAM pieces working at the same time?

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Bronze Motherboards badge badge   04-02-2009 at 11:19:25 AM
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Quote :

I wanted to upgrade my computer



What computer? List your computer's specifications.

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jonphoenix86   04-05-2009 at 06:45:19 PM
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System: XP
Make : Packard Bell Computer Intel
Processor: Pentium D CPU 2.80 GHz
Hard drive: 150 GB
Video: NVidea GeForce 7300 SE

Anything else?

Is it important to note that I can get the computer to recognise both RAMs are working together when in Safe Mode, but not on normal XP boot?

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Bronze Motherboards badge badge   04-05-2009 at 08:05:15 PM
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The 4 GB RAM would require more voltage than the 2 x 512MB. The system does not have adequate voltage regulators or adjustment of voltage in BIOS to power 2 x 2GB, thus the system error message. You can boot into Safe Mode because the system is not running any software. As soon as your try and run software (Windows OS) the RAM is underpowered and fails. You may contact some of the RAM companies email support and ask which DIMMs they guarantee will work in your Packard Bell system. I doubt 2 x 2 GB would be suggested. Maybe 2 x 1 GB. If you know the exact model of your Packard Bell, try the RAM configurator for 'guaranteed to be compatible' RAM to purchase.

http://crucial.com/

http://kingston.com/

http://www.corsairmemory.com/configurator/default.aspx

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