Problems after installing new RAM

[Irisheyes]

Sorry for the long post I wanted to try and get all the details in.

I have a Dell Dimension 9150 which shipped with 1GB of RAM about 2 years ago. About a month back I bought an additional 2GB to install into the computer. The memory I bought came in the form of 2 of  Corsairs 1GB CL5 Dimm's for my DDR2 motherboard. The specifications of this memory were recommended to me by the memory advisor tool at Crucial.

I inserted the memory in alternate pairs alongside my original 2x 512mb cards that came with my computer giving me a total of 3GB of RAM. However when I attempted to boot up my computer with the new RAM installed it would start, detect the new RAM and continue through the Windows XP load screen but it would stop between the load screen and the Windows welcome screen. At this point both my monitors would go blank and that was that. The computer would load successfully in safe mode and the new RAM would be recognised in the general system properties while running safe mode. Also if I switched the computer off, removed the RAM and restarted the computer it would boot up fine as if nothing had ever gone wrong.

At this point I thought my outdated BIOS was causing the problem so I updated that to the latest version but there was no change. Then I proceeded to run the chkdsk application which seemed to fix the problem and I could now boot the computer as normal and the new RAM would be recognised in the general system properties.

However the problem was not fixed completely. The boot problem I described above now seems to occur approximately once every 5 or 6 boots on average rather than every single time I turned on the computer. I cannot recognise any pattern in the failed boot sequences, they seem to happen randomly sometimes twice in a row and sometimes I'll have 10 successful start-ups in a row. Currently I deal with the issue by frequently creating system restore points and whenever I have a failed boot sequence I perform a hard restart, enter safe mode and revert back to the most recently created restore point. The computer will then boot up normally a few more times before the cycle repeats.

Has anyone got any ideas about what could be causing this problem and what I can do to fix it? If anyone requires additional information please ask ITT and I'll do my best to get it.
Thank you.

Cliff notes: Experiencing failed boot sequences at random intervals after installing new RAM. What to do?

Appendix.
New RAM: Corsair TWIN2X 6400C5DHX DDR2, 2048MB Kit w/two CL5 1GB Dimm's, E.P.P and DHX
Motherboard Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
Motherboard Model: 0FJ030
BIOS Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
BIOS Version: A07

[drmsucks]

Very common to have problems when mixing RAM. Have you tried booting with just the new RAM? (Be sure that it is in the proper slots.) 1) If successful with just new RAM, forget about using the old RAM.

2) If not successful with new RAM, try to boot with just one new RAM module at a time - again, check to see what slot to use.

3) If boot with one module but not the other, you may have a bad module. Get memtest86, burn it to CD and boot from the CD. Run the test on each module separately for at least 2 hours; if ok on each module, run the test for at least 4 hours on both modules. http://memtest.org/

More than likely, your problem is a lack of compatibility between the old and new RAM.

[Irisheyes]

OK so I opened up the case and took out the old RAM modules and moved the new ones into DIMM slots 1 & 2. Booted up the computer and it started making a noise kind of like an alarm from a buzzer somewhere in the case. This 'alarm' sounded a few times and the computer continued to boot up but the screens remained blank. This a new problem that I haven't had before. I tried reverting back to the original RAM configuration but I get the same alarm no matter what I try now. What have I done!!?

[Irisheyes]

I don't really know how to describe the alarm it's something like:

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.......waaaa.waaaaa a...waaaa.waaaaaa...waaaa.waaaaaa...waa aa.waaaaaa..........

and then it's finished after a total of 11 beeps.

I thought it might be a power failure or temperature warning noise so I checked all the power connections and they seem ok. I can feel the case fan working. The computer sounds like it's booting up but my screens are never engaged.

[DeathV]

You could have gotten a defective Memory. I've got 2gigs for my Dell Dimension C521 also Corsair but had to return it because my computer wouldn't boot or something. Well one of them was defective.
Try using one by one Memory and see if one of them is defective. If the same thing happens when using either one of them then they are both bad. So and then just return it well just exchange.

[Irisheyes]

OK I just found the Dell BIOS beep codes and there is none which sound like what I'm hearing. Only one beep code has a total of 11 beeps in it but the beeps I hear do not occur in the same sequence as those described here. FWIW the beep code in that link with 11 beeps is for 'RAM failure on data bits xxx of low byte on memory bus' and the corrective action advised is to reseat the RAM modules. I tried this anyway to no avail. As far as I can tell everything is inserted correctly.

[Irisheyes]

You could have gotten a defective Memory. I've got 2gigs for my Dell Dimension C521 also Corsair but had to return it because my computer wouldn't boot or something. Well one of them was defective.
Try using one by one Memory and see if one of them is defective. If the same thing happens when using either one of them then they are both bad. So and then just return it well just exchange.

I was planning on trying this but I can't turn the thing on now! 

[h0w]

did u make sure that all the ram was inserted correctly, and didnt move around after putting them in? are you sure you bought the correct ram? if both answers are yes, then i would say that you have defective ram.

[Irisheyes]

did u make sure that all the ram was inserted correctly, and didnt move around after putting them in? are you sure you bought the correct ram? if both answers are yes, then i would say that you have defective ram.

Yes I have it in the correct slots and it is properly clipped down. Yes because I used the memory advisor program referenced in the OP, I think I also checked the dell website.

I actually have the new RAM removed completely now (reverted back to the memory that shipped with the PC) and I'm still hearing alarms and can't get a boot.

[drmsucks]

Very common to have problems when mixing RAM. Have you tried booting with just the new RAM? (Be sure that it is in the proper slots.) 1) If successful with just new RAM, forget about using the old RAM.

2) If not successful with new RAM, try to boot with just one new RAM module at a time - again, check to see what slot to use.

3) If boot with one module but not the other, you may have a bad module. Get memtest86, burn it to CD and boot from the CD. Run the test on each module separately for at least 2 hours; if ok on each module, run the test for at least 4 hours on both modules. http://memtest.org/

More than likely, your problem is a lack of compatibility between the old and new RAM.

I don't see that you have tried each of these steps. Have you tried to boot with one new RAM module?

You say that you used slots 1 & 2, is that the slots that the old RAM modules were in?

[Irisheyes]

Very common to have problems when mixing RAM. Have you tried booting with just the new RAM? (Be sure that it is in the proper slots.) 1) If successful with just new RAM, forget about using the old RAM.

2) If not successful with new RAM, try to boot with just one new RAM module at a time - again, check to see what slot to use.

3) If boot with one module but not the other, you may have a bad module. Get memtest86, burn it to CD and boot from the CD. Run the test on each module separately for at least 2 hours; if ok on each module, run the test for at least 4 hours on both modules. http://memtest.org/

More than likely, your problem is a lack of compatibility between the old and new RAM.

I don't see that you have tried each of these steps. Have you tried to boot with one new RAM module?

You say that you used slots 1 & 2, is that the slots that the old RAM modules were in?

Yep I know I'm going through various configurations as I continue to update the thread. So far I'm getting a boot with 1 old RAM module (I'll call this one old_1) but not with two. I'm also not getting a boot with new_1 and new_2 together. I've yet to try old_2, new_1 or new_2 on their own.

Yes I mean the slots that the old modules were in before I ever opened the case. They are marked DIMM_1 and DIMM_2 on the motherboard.

Just as an aside since you seem to know your stuff, would it be possible for my computer to recognise that I have 3GB of RAM installed in my computer (ie. it shous up under general properties) but for it to only utalise a part of this memory? Also is it true that if I mix modules of various speeds (say 2 4200Hz modules and 2 6400Hz modules) than all memory runs at the slower speed?

ty for your posts ITT.

[Irisheyes]

OK I just got a successful boot with old_2 on it's own. It's in slot DIMM_1 obviously.

[drmsucks]

Just as an aside since you seem to know your stuff, would it be possible for my computer to recognise that I have 3GB of RAM installed in my computer (ie. it shous up under general properties) but for it to only utalise a part of this memory? Also is it true that if I mix modules of various speeds (say 2 4200Hz modules and 2 6400Hz modules) than all memory runs at the slower speed?

ty for your posts ITT.

A 32 bit operating system will utilize up to a max of ≈3.5 GB of RAM. Your version of XP is a 32 bit OS so your computer would use all 3 GB.

Yes - the memory will all run at the lower speed; otherwise, there would be timing issues.

Keep updating as you try out the other combinations. And remember to keep grounding yourself!

[Irisheyes]

Cool ty, makes sense.

I now have a boot with old_2 in DIMM_1 and old_1 in DIMM_2.


I'm sure this makes for riveting viewing!!

[drmsucks]

Okay - at least you're back to the beginning!

[Irisheyes]

just swapped the module configuration from my last post and I'm still getting a boot. This is the exact configuration that was giving me alarms about a half hour ago. Nothing has changed, pretty weird.

[drmsucks]

How about 1 module of new RAM?

[Irisheyes]

Yep that was next... new_1 failed to boot and the alarms sounded again.

I replaced it with new_2 and that has booted successfully.

I'll try new_1 and new_2 together just for kicks and then I'll start running memtest86 on new_1 like you suggested.

[Irisheyes]

OK so weirdly enough the computer boots up with new_1 and new_2 together.

[Irisheyes]

And doesn't boot with all modules in together.

[drmsucks]

Leave new_1 and new_2 in and run memtest86 for at least 4 hours.

EDIT: I'm done for the night - good luck.

[Irisheyes]

OK last report, put both new_1 and new_2 in separately and this time they both booted with no problems. I just memtest it I guess and see whats up.

good night.

[Irisheyes]

I've just finished memtest after running the thing for 10 hours on the two new modules. It reported no errors in that time.

My computer is currently booted up with both the new modules inserted but I suspect that I will have the same problems that I had at the start of the thread. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

[drmsucks]

That's a good result from memtest86. Based on that result, I would not expect a memory problem from the new RAM. I would, however, expect that you will have problems if you add the old RAM.

May be time to stick the old memory into a drawer and enjoy the doubling of memory

My experience with XP in going from 1 GB to 2 GB was that I couldn't really notice any difference on day to day stuff. So, I would really question the incremental benefit of adding the old RAM to make 3 GB.

Do you notice any performance difference?

Let us know how the new RAM runs.

[Irisheyes]

So I'm back to the old problems anyway!

I left the new RAM in after memtest and it worked fine for 3 reboots before the same problem I described in my OP occurred again. I took the modules out and re-inserted them but it made no difference.

So I've given up on them and reverted back to the computers origional 2x 512mB configuration.

I'm all out of ideas again and looking for help please!!?

[drmsucks]

After new_1 failed to boot, I was surprised: a) that it worked with new_2 and b) that the combination 'passed' memtest86. (Interesting aside on memtest86, memory never really 'passes' completely because memtest86 can't test all possible memory combinations; so, a 'pass' is a probabilistic pass; but, a fail is a Fail!)

Anyway, I would RMA the RAM to Corsair. I think that you bought a matched set so return both modules. But, check with Corsair - simply tell them the system would not boot or run with the RAM. Get the RMA number and instructions before sending the RAM back.

Another thing to consider - I know that you originally contemplated having 3 GB of RAM (old + new). If that is still what you want, please purchase additional new RAM.

Please let us know how you make out.