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Freezing on Starting Windows Screen when adding RAM

SkyKast

SkyKast

Joined
Oct 26, 2008
Messages
2,119 (0.35/day)
Location
massachusetts
System Specs
System Name VAN
Processor Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz LGA 775 95W @ 3.0GHz
Motherboard ASUS P5Q Deluxe LGA 775 Intel P45 Intel Motherboard
Cooling Thermaltake SpinQ VT, front-rear-side 120mm, top-bottom 80mm
Memory Crucial Ballistix Tracer 8GB(4x2GB), DDR2, 800 MHz, 4-4-4-12, 2.0V, w/ Red LEDs
Video Card(s) AMD Radeon HD 6770 1GB
Storage Samsung 850 PRO 256SSD (OS) - WD 640GB 7200 RPM (files) - Seagate 1TB 7200 (backup)
Display(s) DUAL 19" Samsung, LG LCDs
Case NZXT Lexa Blackline
Audio Device(s) Realtek Onboard
Power Supply OCZ 600 Stealth-X-Stream 600W RT
Mouse Cyborg R.A.T. 9
Keyboard Razer Black Widow Ultimate
Software Windows 7 Ultimate
Hello everyone, I have a question for ya.

My system specs are up to date in my profile if you need to cross reference anything.

I recently bought a set (2x2GB) that is totally identical to my current set when it comes to voltage, timing and model number. The only difference is the orientation of the logo and another sticker which may be the serial number. I'll attach pictures below for comparison.

Whenever I install the second pair of sticks, the computer posts fine and starts to boot but about 10 seconds into the "Starting Windows" screen the flay stops waving and it just sits there until reset. Take the memory back out and it works just fine.

The retailer I got the sticks from on eBay said they were tented the day they were shipped out and worked perfectly but is willing to offer a refund plus return shipping if I can't get them working so I really don;t think they are making that up.

I would love to get these working because of how hard it was to find a matching set of this RAM.

I checked my BIOS and it is up to date.

Please let me knoe if anyone has some recommendations of diagnostics or fixes I could try.

Thanks in advance!!


The pictures:

my sticks are on the bottom in both pictures.

Photo Jan 20, 10 39 15 PM.jpg Photo Jan 20, 10 39 36 PM.jpg
 
Have you tried to put in the first slot this new ram instead of your own and see if do the same?
If you dont boot at all with the new ram the problem is the stick itself .
I had this problem with a 3x 2gb of ddr3 with my motherboard where one of the sticks was not working and after putting it in a secondary slot that 2 gb of ram was disappearing causing crash.
 
Capitan Harlock said:
Have you tried to put in the first slot this new ram instead of your own and see if do the same?
If you dont boot at all with the new ram the problem is the stick itself .
I had this problem with a 3x 2gb of ddr3 with my motherboard where one of the sticks was not working and after putting it in a secondary slot that 2 gb of ram was disappearing causing crash.
Click to expand...


Thanks for your reply!

Forgot to mention this in the OP but I did try that and the computer won't even post. It gets stuck at a black screen immediately when I put the new chips in the 1st channel slots.
 
Just try one stick, and pinpoit the bad one.
 
Try the new stick in both slots and check the timings are set to auto or set them manually, also ensure the voltage is set at 2.0V for that Ram.
 
Ferrum, Caring

Thanks! I'll try these 2 recommendations when I get back to the computer later.

I know everything is set to auto for the memory in the BIOS by default and I never felt comfortable playing around with it.

Should I set the voltage/timing to what it says on the sticks? Because in CPUID it has a different timing listed - a slower one.
 
Does it show 5-5-5-18?
You should be able to change that and have it run at the advertised 4-4-4-12 (if the stick works)
 
SkyKast said:
Should I set the voltage/timing to what it says on the sticks? Because in CPUID it has a different timing listed - a slower one.
Click to expand...

Normally, yes, because that is what that model is set to run at. HOWEVER, the P45 chipset doesn't like to run 4 sticks, but it will (I used to own that great board). First, go with the 5-5-5-18, because of 4 sticks. 2nd, then try upping the RAM voltage a bit. It's probably set at 1.8, since that is standard DDR2 voltage. If it is, set it to the 2.0V listed on the sticks.

If it still hangs, try incremental raises, like 2.05 to 2.1.

If that doesn't work, you will need to up the Northbridge voltage a bit, to accommodate for 4 sticks use. Just a very little amount. The BIOS has yellow and red warning IIRC, for dangerous amounts. Do it only as far as needed to get it running and stable. Once it's working, then see if you can set the recommended 4-4-4-12 settings.
 
Caring - I don't remember what timing it displayed but will check when I get home. Very Interesting. So it's possible that by having it set to Auto in the BIOS has slowed down my RAM ever since I built the computer? It could have been working faster all the time? I wonder why Auto would fail like that.

rtw - thanks for the advice I had no idea the northbridge could need a voltage increase. I will test that out when I get back after trying your other recommendations about the memory timing and voltage. Also had no idea P45 doesn't like 4 sticks. That's strange lol they shouldn't have put 4 slots!

So thanks again and will post up my results this afternoon! :)


Afterthought edit:

If it's just a timing/BIOS settings problem though then can anyone think of why the computer gets hung up much earlier with the new set vs. the old set?

With just the old set installed it makes it to Windows boot, with just the new set installed it doesn't even make it through post.
 
Last edited:
Well, TBH, the memory controller is on the Northbridge, and to run 4 DDR2 sticks it will almost always need a slight voltage increase.

However, I missed the part about the new set alone hanging. :nutkick: I'm embarrassed I miss that.

So, your problem may be that one or both of the new ones are bad. Try them individually as suggested to see. Once you have a known, good working set, my above advice still applies.
 
rtw beat me to it you just need a little more voltage. 4 dimms is a bit rough on the old stuff.
 
Actually on auto settings latter "smarter" bioses still does the same... Actually Intel design suggestions say to do so.
 
I found on that board auto would either apply too much voltage or not enough, depending on what you had in there.

@Sasqui? You've got the board now. :-)
 
All I know is I am getting nostalgic over those crucial reds.
 
Ok so when I tried the new sticks independently before changing any BIOS settings, one stick would make it various distances into booting windows before it blue screened.

Then I tried the other one and it booted up just fine. I can't believe I never tested them independently! :banghead:

So it would seem, sadly, that one of the Reds has kicked the bucket. :(

cd - I also am nostalgic over them that's why I have been searching the internet for them. Was excited to finally find them on eBay and now this happens! Luckily I found 1 stick on Amazon and hopefully the eBay guy will be ok with only refunding one.

P.S. - Should I use memtest or some other utility to see whats up with the second stick or is it a lost cause?
 
SkyKast said:
P.S. - Should I use memtest or some other utility to see whats up with the second stick or is it a lost cause?
Click to expand...

If you cannot return it sadly the story ends here just pick up any module with same or better specs.
 
I am adding more of the exact RAM that I have been running on this board for 6 years so I don;t think it could be an incompatibility issue right?
 
SkyKast said:
I am adding more of the exact RAM that I have been running on this board for 6 years so I don;t think it could be an incompatibility issue right?
Click to expand...

No, likely not. It's a bad stick. Trivia: Most RAM will not be on Motherboard compatibility lists. Very few compared to number of types and brands sold, so one has to wonder if it's actually a reflection of who paid the appropriate "incentive" to the motherboard manufacturer.
 
Rtw - Cool good to know because it isn't on that list!

So I'm currently running 6GB successfully and another, hopefully working, stick is on its way. Will update and post a picture of all 4 fancy flashing sticks once it's installed for nostalgia's sake. :)

Thanks for all the advice guys!
 
Success :)

Photo Feb 14, 1 03 08 PM.jpg
 
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