Computer experts only please read on..........?

Question

I just upgraded my pc from 512mb (2x256mb) to 1gb (single channel) of ram. But my Desktop starts but nothing comes up on the screen. Why is this? If you know please answer. Thank you very much.

Answer 1

[Addendum to previous posts regarding the 'beep test'...]

You say that your desktop starts but nothing comes up on the screen... if this is so, then how do you know that your desktop has *actually* started? Can you tell us exactly what you see? Is the screen blank, but you're assuming that the desktop has loaded? Or does the desktop literally load, but something unexpected happens?

Assuming that the type of memory you've purchased is compatible with your motherboard: find your motherboard manual (if you even got one with your machine - which is unlikely if you bought if off the shelf), or assertain your motherboard model and find a way to download the manual (it'll likely be in PDF format).

(If you're not sure whether the memory you purchased is truly compatible with your motherboard, skip to the last paragraph. Otherwise proceed with CARE.)

Now, within seconds of your machine starting up, a screen will appear offering you the option of entering the BIOS (it may ask you to press DEL, or some other key, to enter the settings). Do that, but only that. Now, turn to your manual and look for the section that determines RAM timings in the BIOS. It should detail the options, yet most options should have a 'default'. Proceed to the relevant section of the BIOS and change these settings to default, if they aren't already. If they are already at their defaults, manually select the lowest setting in each category. (For the category that offers T1 and T2 as options, select T2.) Now, return to the main page of the BIOS and save the settings.

Be warned, though, incorrect BIOS settings may harm your physical hardware. Further more, your machine may fail to restart and just sit at a blank screen. Should your machine fail to restart because the changes you made to the RAM settings were incompatible with the installed memory, turn off your machine and remove the watch battery from your motherboard for 30 seconds then reinsert it. This will cause the entire BIOS settings (not just the RAM settings) to reset themselves to some factory default values. These are usually safe values, but your BIOS may have previously been customized. So, it may be a good idea to go through each section of the BIOS and note down what settings have been set prior to changing them - a lengthy and dull task, true, but it may be worth the while.

If nothing here solves the problem - or, alternatively - update your question detailing the motherboard make and model *and* the RAM make and model (including timings labelled somewhere on the RAM in the format 'n-n-n-n' were 'n' is a number) and you'll likely get a more productive response.

Answer 2

Sorry to mention some obvious stuff but you never know:

Are you hearing any beeps from the computer as it boots?

Are you sure the graphics card was not moved when you were installing the ram?

Did you check the monitor cable was connected securely to the pc?

Once you have checked all that,

Try is to put the old ram back in. If it works, then you know the problem is the new ram.

Then make sure the new ram is completely inserted and the clips are fully upright.

If all that fails the ram stick might be bad.

Answer 3

Your PC might not be able to post with your new RAM. If you have connected the speaker in your motherboard correctly, you should hear a few beeps when you try to turn the PC on. This is a good indicator of no RAM. Try reinstalling the RAM you just put in... several factors could be a problem. One you might have not put it in properly, two your motherboard might not support 1GB RAM modules, three, you might have gotten the wrong RAM (incorrect voltage or speed) for your motherboard and it doesn't support it, four, your RAM might just be busted. Try putting a 256mb module back into another slot just to see if it posts... if it does, return the RAM you bought and ask someone how to buy RAM correctly.

Answer 4

Did you check your motherboard manual to make sure that it will take 1 gig of RAM. Did you make sure that the RAM you bought was the same as the existing RAM.
Make sure that you put your stick of RAM in slot 1 on your motherboard and restart your pc. Look at the screen on bootup it should come up with the 1gig if not try reinstalling the two 256k sticks you took out
You could have a duff stick of RAM or the wrong grade

Answer 5

sure it is going to. the only ingredient that MIGHTcause you issues may well be a extreme-end snap shots card; say a Radeon 1650/1900/1950, or an NVidia 7300 or above. as that's, you probably did no longer say, yet out of your question, working a million HDD, a million DVD/CD force and any conventional video card, even a extreme end card, will artwork nice with 3 hundred watts. Douglas D MCP, MCDST, HDA, CSS (i assume that could qualify as a working laptop or laptop expert) playstation - i'm working an AMD Athlon sixty 4 3800+, 2 DVD/CD burners, 2 difficult drives, a ingenious X-fi Extrememusic sound card, NVidia 6800/256mb, a million.5 gb RAM, all with a 400w potential furnish-i think of you would be nice.

Answer 6

I would say that your motherboard isn't able to accept 1gb ram in a single slot or you chose one with a uncompatible BUS speed. Try getting 2 512mb chips or a chip with a slower BUS speed..

You could try to force your desktop to work by hitting ctrl alt del and then picking run new task and typing in explorer, but if you had to do that all the time it would be a pain in the butt.

Answer 7

Try your old memory again..if it works then the problem would be with the new memory, Make sure it is in the slot correctly.
Also check the manual for the motherboard....there could be setting in the bios to change between dual and single channel memory. But to be honest it sounds like a duff memory stick.

Answer 8

Have you tried booting in Safe Mode? Reboot the computer and repeatedly tap F8 just before Windows starts to boot. Select Safe Mode and see what happens.

It sounds to me that either you have bad RAM, the motherboard isn't happy with it or maybe a piece of software doesn't like your upgrade and crashes your desktop.

Answer 9

your single pci slot in which you have the 1gb of ram installed can not handle that size in a single slot - try using 2 512mb sticks instead

Answer 10

Everyone of these answers gave you great advice.Do checklist ,is it the correct memory,is it installed correctly etc..If the problem started after changing the ram did you loosen anything on the motherboard if not it is either not installed correctly or it is the wrong memory.