Windows Vista freezes on loading bar with new RAM?

Question

I'm trying to add more memory to my Inspiron 6000 laptop. It has two bays, and I currently have a 512 MB stick in each for a total of 1 GB. I just bought two new 1 GB sticks of the correct type and speed, to up my total to 2 GB. When I install the two new sticks, however, my computer freezes up while trying to boot into Windows Vista, on the loading screen with the scrolling bar. I know the RAM is good because if I install just one of either of the new 1 GB sticks and leave one of my memory bays open Windows loads up fine. I can also boot into safe mode with both new sticks installed. I have done a memory test with both new sticks installed and they passed.

Help is appreciated!

When booting into safe mode Windows does recognize the entire 2 GB.
I have installed the new RAM in the correct order.

Answer 1

Hi there, I was just taking a look at the Owners Manual for your system (link attached below in case you don't have it). It shows that your system will support a max of 2GB, which I'm sure you already know, and that DIMMA should be installed first before installing DIMMB. It states that if the memory is not installed correctly it may not boot properly, with no error messages to indicate a problem. Something to try.

This is a hard one. You have already ensured that each works individually in either slot and boots up fine, that would have been my suggestion to ensure that both sticks are okay. Did you check in Safe Mode to see that both are being recorded as installed for a total of 2GB?

The only other thing I could suggest is to make sure that the RAM is the right pin count and the correct speed for your system. Try giving Dell Tech support a call. Even if your system is out of warranty, it's still got a lifetime support contract for "phone support". And if you bought the RAM from Dell, it's got a lifetime warranty. I've seen memory that works fine by itself, but not in a pair. Strange. Good luck with this one.

Answer 2

Just looked up the specifications for the Inspiron 6000, say's 2GB's ram-max. How about going to Crucial.com, and see what they say, with their Crucial System Scanner, to double check your ram. What you have done, and said, make's logical sense. Windows will drive you crazy, sometimes. I've had to reboot various computers, three to four times, until the BIOS 'sees' the ram. Same mobo, same BIOS program, load Ubuntu, NO PROBLEM! Perhaps it's a bug in Vista. How about posting your question in Sysopt.com/Forum, and Tomshardware.com/Forum?

Answer 3

i think of of you have got thoroughly formatted the partition ( if there is one the area vista became). I as with out postpone as had an comparable situation an prolonged time in the previous with residing domicile windows 2000 and XP. discover your photographs card drivers and diverse suitable drivers and get carry of them to disk, say off a chum or colleuge's pc. Then reistall Xp after an entire HD or partition format and then installation the modern as much as this element drivers. this would desire to with slightly of luck handle the sort you boot up by way of reality the prospect is each little factor wasnt written over as quickly as you put in xp over Vista

Answer 4

Hi. According to the site your computer supports "512MB 533MHz Single Channel DDR2 SDRAM , 1024MB 533MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM , 1536MB 533MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM , 2048MB 533MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM." All are DDR2 so make sure that is what you are using. If so then maybe your machine has a glitch. Have you tried both dual mode and single channel mode? Both should work but try anyway. Not too much difference in performance in most apps.

Answer 5

does the laptop mobo support 2gb? Try using 1 gb stick and 1 512mb stick...