Memory upgrade

[adamhornsby]

I upgraded the memory in my computer yesterday, and today the computer seems to keep crashing or seizing, yet on saturday it worked fine. I did a system reboot, and when i tried setting Media center back up, it locked up, it has done a few times, not even Crt+Alt+Del works, everything just stops. Could it be the memory, is there anything it could be, or should i go back to PC WORLD where the computer and memory were bought from.

I'd be grateful if anyone could help, its driving me mad!

[zinnie]

Hi 'adamhornsby' can't see how it could be the memory , but you never know. Maybe something got disturbed during the memory installation. Hve you tried uninstalling the new memory and going back to the situation where it worked with just the old memory.
If you still have a problem without the new memory then you know it isn't that.

[adamhornsby]

I will of course try that, but it was working fine before the upgrade.

The computer is due for a healthcheck at pcworld soon, so i think i'l let them have a look

[Brooksy]

Try pressing "Del" or F2 or whatever your motherboard requires to enter the BIOS & set the memory FSB (front side bus speed to "auto"}. The memory upgrade stick may be too fast or slow for your BIOS setting. Be very careful in the BIOS settings not to change anything you do not COMPLETELY understand!!!

[adamhornsby]

do you really think this is what i need to do Brooksy? How do i change it, do i have to type auto in or do i select it from a menu?

[adamhornsby]

Im sure they're both the same speed, under System Information it tells me 3gb of memory is installed. They are 184 pins, but a different brand, they are PNY, not sure what the ones already installed are. If we've already opened and installed them can we take them back if they not right?

[adamhornsby]

This is the tech sheet from PNY for them model
http://www.pny-europe.com/memory_configurator. php
should show a table of memory, i think we have the right sticks

[ACtheTROLL]

start by undoing everything you've already done ....

remove the new memory and see how the machine runs

you don't give much detail on your system or on the type of memory (other than the brand)
depending on the system/os 3Gb or over could be a problem in itself!

there are two protocols for any given type of memory... even and odd parity .... these are not interchangeable - so even if the speed is OK ... if the parity is wrong.

there are also different speeds - generally speaking (this is a guide not a rule) you can fit faster sticks but not slower and the machine shouldn't be affected.

if you've opened and fitted the sticks .... you've almost certainly had it (pc world just might swap them for good will) .... you are supposed to check the memory spec BEFORE fitting it - if the goods are faulty or not as advertised they are not fit for purpose .... if the goods are OK ... but you don't like them .... or have bought the wrong size and then still use them - the fault is yours ....

the problem with "raw" components is - did you take correct ESP precautions ?... did you blow dust off the contacts before fitting or touch them with your fingers?

You did any of this you will almost certainly have damaged them.


and so they can't be re-sold as new.

[adamhornsby]

They were correct for the PC, the bloke at PC World gave them us after we told him the model number.

I now seem to be having a trouble with the graphics card i think, i got a blue screen appear and a error message coming up with a problem about the ATI VPU recovery or something like that.
I think i should just take it in, and let a pro look at it.

[ACtheTROLL]

then you have the fit for purpose argument ...

I suspect either - you have been a little ham fisted and knocked against other components.
or
have seated the mem so firmly you have cracked the circuit board (did you let the board cool for 10 mins before going in?

finally back to the 3gb
it's a waste on 99% of machines ... 2 is pushing the limit .... but 3 crosses the usability boundary .... and is more than some quite modern mobos will accomodate
(windows says up to 4Gb .... but the mobo mfr fixed it at 2!)