I own a Dell Dimension 4550 which had 512MB RAM, upgraded last week to 1GB with a 512MB module from Crucial.
When I installed the RAM (I installed the new module where the first module was and the existing module in the second slot as I was just working out how to fit RAM correctly and that's how it ended up), I booted up and verified the text alerting me to the new RAM and booted into XP (I dual boot with Ubuntu on master and XP on slave, GRUB handles the boot process and I set it up so that I can put XP back as master with no ill effect). But if I reboot (that is not the initial boot) I get greeted with 'Strike F1 to retry boot, F2 for setup utility'. F1 does nothing, and in setup utility my 80GB master seems to show up as 1125TB (it shows as 80GB when I check this on first boot); which is weird. But if I just turn off for 30mins and turn on again I can boot into Ubuntu/XP. What's happening here? I don't get it. It's annoying problem; I don't want to wait 30mins for a reboot! Help
2007-01-10 10:19:53 · 7 answers · asked by mo79uk 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
I did indeed use Crucial's RAM checker. When I get into XP (as well as BIOS), the total RAM value shows up fine and I notice the difference in performance, so this prob is v. strange. =/
2007-01-10 10:53:37 · update #1
Also, my existing module is PC2700, the new is PC3200. Crucial's site says that's okay, or is it?..
2007-01-10 10:57:02 · update #2
Sounds like the memory is fine mixing ram speeds shouldn't cause any problems, both will run at the slower speed. In the bios you should be able to set it to always do a memory test. this will quickly test the memory, it is possible that one of the modules isn't seated properly and is causing problems. When you get in to the OS see how much memory it shows
Sounds like it could also be a hard drive problem, its not finding the boot paritition of the hard drive for some reason. check you haven't knocked any other connectors out when installing memory.
2007-01-10 12:18:04 · answer #1 · answered by Gordon B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
HI, There are two things that could be happening, The first is that the ram you installed could be bad and the computer can't use it so it just stops, or (this happened to my computer) some computers have a limit to how much ram it can handle. Four gigs might just be to much so the computer just shuts of power to the ram and remains frozen.
2016-05-23 07:12:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Jcontrols. It sounds like a 'timing issue'.
I believe you'll find that your two memory chips (SIMMs or DIMMs) are operating at different timings. (There's a difference between RAM speed and RAM timing.)
Gordon B makes a valid point. Check that, first of all, your RAM is seated correctly, and then check that you haven't knocked any connectors loose.
Take a look at the sites below for a better explanation.
2007-01-10 13:13:57 · answer #3 · answered by micksmixxx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you run crucials RAM checker to see which RAM you have instaled and what RAM you could purchase safely, I found this very helpful, if you did or your positive that your RAM is compatable then there may be something wrong with your new RAM
2007-01-10 10:44:16 · answer #4 · answered by laughinggiraffe2003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is quite simple.
The two modules of RAM are conflicting.
You must use pc2700 type to both modules.
Different types will NOT work.
Crucial are wrong.
Get it changed.
2007-01-11 00:05:12 · answer #5 · answered by robert22061954 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This sounds like a timing type of compatibility problem. There are a great many types of RAM. If both sticks don't have the same timing or interleave aspects you'll get many strange anomalies! :-)=
2007-01-10 10:40:33 · answer #6 · answered by Jcontrols 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You did the right thing but computer sometimes malfunction.I would suggest you un-install the RAM put back your initial and boot your computer,if everything goes well,then try re installing your new RAM
2007-01-11 00:11:00 · answer #7 · answered by wise5557 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋