I added 2 new 512k sticks of ram, but when I run something it reboots!?

Question

The ram is ok, it's the correct type for my MB and they are fitted carefully. XP boots up fine, but I get all sorts of errors when running things, and sometimes it just reboots!

I have an ABIT AS8-V with 2x 512k 400hz DDR (pc3200) ram - errors when I added 2 more of the same type of ram.

UPDATE: I think something is seriously wrong! ... I took the 2 new sticks out ... when get xp back up, half of apps I run, crash (explorer included) and sometimes reboots too! - tried a restore to Monday before adding the ram, but it's still broke :(

Answer 1

I have an Abit board ... it is very fussy when it comes to RAM ... generic stuff just refuses to play proper ... I had to pay the extra and go with Corsair so it would stabilize ... Other (e.g. Asus) board run on just about anything

Answer 2

First take the two old sticks out and replace those with the two new sticks. If you have the same problem then your new ram is bad. Of course you would substitute with your old stick to find out what particular new stick was bad.

If that's not the problem don't overlook cooling. The sticks created more heat and creates a higher load (and heat) on the power supply and regulator.

A simple test is just see how long it works well in the morning when you first boot it. You also need a stress program... search for "prime number" and stress... great program that can max out the heat in almost any computer that has a lot of ram. It's best to get a software temp gague instead of relying on the bios since nothing is stressed when you're in the CMOS/BIOS program.

Answer 3

You may have a bad stick of ram but I seriously doubt it. Anytime you add RAM you have to 'unseat' it and 'reseat it' several times, usually, before it will take properly. As a computer tech, I can tell you that I've been through your EXACT situation more times than I can count! Here's what you need to do, just take the new ram back out and then reinsert it. Then restart and try out your computer. You usually must do this several times before it will take properly. Don't get frustrated, stay patient. I know you say the ram is fitted carefully, but motherboards are real picky with ram. Don't use very much pressure at all when re-inserting the ram. Just enough pressure to make it click into place. Again, you may have to do this more than once. But it is VERY COMMON. good luck :-)

Answer 4

there are 2 options here. either 1 stick of the ram is faulty, or your motherboard doesnt like the brand of ram you are trying to put in. Like one of the previous posters said, take one stick out, turn the computer on, if it reboots, then take that one out and put the other one back in. If that one reboots the computer still, get a different brand of ram. Abit's website may have a list of compatible ram, if not, go to a small computer store and see what they recommend. Do not trust any of the big chain stores as they sell you junk.

Answer 5

just be clear on these, now you have four memory stick, two of these are newly installed the 2 pcs 512 mb 400 hz ddr, is the old old is the same as 512 mb 400 hz, and when you boot up the memory count indicate you have a 2 gig mb, if not , replaced the new one , to the spe of your old ones,. memory upgrade should be the same type , frequency voltage, that why your machine keeps rebooting .

Answer 6

Wow, bummer this is happening to you. Just 3 days ago installed new RAM in my machine-which was 2 sticks of 1g pc3200. PNY makes pretty good stuff...anyway it went fine, booted all up and hasn't given me any prob's what-so-ever. I yet have to start up EQ2 or something big to really stress my RAM.
Is it possible somehow something is getting static'd(?).

Answer 7

actually we cannot simply change ram with different specification and architecture. both must be the same. if you want to use 1gb of ram why not using just 1 piece of it. it will be much more stable and improved performance compare to 2 pieces of 512mb. some motherboard can run with different architecture but the same specification but not recommended. that is not a proper combination.

Answer 8

Sounds like to me, you have a virus.

A hardware-related problem with your computer, might cause it to shutdown, but it would most likely never cause it to reboot.

Try these troubleshooting tasks, that were selected as Best Answers for helping others to resolve their problems:

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Part 1-

Besides the obvious things to do, such as scan you pc with your anti-virus program to check for infection.

There are things that you can look out for that may be indications of a virus infection on your pc.

Such as:

1) Go to Task Manager and see how many processes you have running.

Depending on the operating system you are currently using, you should have 25 to 35 processes running. No more than 40 for sure, unless of course you are using a server version of operating system.

2) Are you having any problems with your audio? Viruses seem to always affect the sound card for some reason.

3) Does you applications, such as Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer, etc... keep crashing on you and needing to close?

4) Check to see if the size of your hard drive space used is bigger than you recall, or seems to be growing rather quickly.

There are alot more things you could check for, but this is a good start.

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Part 2-

I recommend having 'chkdsk' perform a scan of PC to find, and repair any problems with your system.

If you have Windows XP, follow the instructions below:

> Go to 'My Computer'
> Right-click on 'Local Disk (C:)'
> Select 'Properties'
> Click on 'Tools' tab
> Click on 'Check Now' button in Error-checking section
> Select both boxes for 'Check disk options'
> Then click 'Start' button
> Will be prompted to restart windows, for chkdsk to perform
> Close all open windows
> Click 'Start'
> Click 'Turn Off Computer'
> Click 'Restart'

The system will reboot and run the chkdsk procedure, which will take approximately 20-30 minutes. Depends on size of hard drive, etc..

After it completes all 5 stages of the chkdsk, a message will display to let you know if the disk is OK. It only appears for a few seconds, so pay attention.

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Good luck!

Answer 9

sounds like the RAM is damaged. Try with one stick, run a couple of programs. if it doesn't crash, shut down, take the memory out and put in another stick. rinse, repeat. until you find the faulty part.

You can also download and burn Memtest:
http://www.memtest86.com/
(download and burn the ISO file)
which will create a bootable CD that will test the memory for you.