Problem with RAM upgrade, (WinXP) write errors, reboots 1

[cfetzer]

Hello everyone,

I have a problem that I am having with a RAM upgrade on two identical PCs. One PC, I am adding a 1GB stick, and the other I am adding a 512mb stick. The motherboards in both boxes are supposed to be able to take a 1gb stick per slot. The RAM that I am adding is PC2700, which is what the board supports. The RAM brand is "Rosewill", and the motherboard brand is MSI (KT3 Ultra).

When I added the ram, the BIOS and windows xp recognizes the RAM, but I get strange errors within windows telling me that it could not write to memory, (and gives a hex code). Not a blue screen, but a pop-up. After which, the system will automatically reboot itself.

Other times, the system will reboot with no warning at all. The system will not stay up for more than 10 min before it reboots suddenly. This is happening on both boxes.

I checked within the BIOS, and the DRAM settings are set to automatically detect. I tried messing with the settings, with no results, but then again, I don't know that much about what I am doing with RAM settings.

Is there anything that I could do, or does it sound like the RAM may not be compatible with the motherboard? Is there some type of setting that needs to be made within xp for this to fly?

Thanks! any help is greatly appreciated!
Chad

 

[MrTBC]

Just a guess - you could try a BIOS or Chipset update and see if that helps.

 

[wolluf]

It sounds like RAM might be bad - try a memory checker, eg -

http://www.memtest86.com/

Do the machines already have some memory - which you are adding to? If so, have you tried the new RAM on its own?

Have you tried both sticks in both machines?

 

[orypecos]

Did you go to the Rosewill website and see if that is the right memory? I had memory problems and PNY said I had the right model, but the wrong part number!

 

[stduc]

I had a similar problem. I used memtest86 while I changed various BIOS settings until all tests were passed. I can't remember what I changed (but I did record the settings that finally worked) It took a few evenings to find the right settings though. Basically I had to slow things down though in the BIOS.

As a start set all memory settings to the slowest and then run memtest86. If all tests pass, start speeding things up until tests fail. Then use the fastest settings that work. If you note the time it takes memtest86 to run all tests once you will get some idea of how much performance you may have lost by slowing things down. A fraction of a percent in my case.