8gig of memory cause Window7 to hang

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by goober70, Nov 4, 2009.

  1. goober70

    goober70 MDL Novice

    Oct 29, 2009
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    Hi EveryOne,

    I have a Dell XPS 400 Pentium D (2.8ghz) with 8gig of memory.
    If I fill 8gig of memory into 4 slots then I can not install/boot/run window7.
    (with your help, I find out this problem. I remove 4gig of memory and
    I can install/boot/run window7 64bits).

    Do you know why this happen ?
    Does window 7 have more restriction for memory ?
    Can I mix all type of memory into 4 slots I have (please see below)?
    slot 1: 2gig DDR2 PC-6400 , 240pin memory
    slot 2: 2gig DDR2 PC-6400 , 240pin memory
    slot 3: 1gig DDR2 PC-5200 , 240pin memory
    slot 4: 512K DDR2 PC-4200, 240pin memory

    Thank you for your help in advance
     
  2. daz411

    daz411 MDL Novice

    Aug 29, 2009
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    I would take out the slower PC-5200 and PC-4200 RAM from your system and just run with 4GB in this situation. Remember that your RAM will only run as fast as your slowest module. Basically just like the weakest Link modo.

    You'd get better performance running all PC-6400 @ 4GB vs PC-4200 @ 5.5GB in this scenario.
     
  3. shadow_shd

    shadow_shd MDL Junior Member

    Nov 21, 2007
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    Hi,

    It is not advised to mix different speed/capacities of DDR2 RAM sticks.

    If you want to take full advantage of your DDR2, in theory, you should use RAM sticks by pairs (2 x 1 Gb DDR2-6400, 2 x 2 Gb DDR2-5200...).

    By mixing your sticks, your system will run at the lower RAM stick speed.
    In your case, at 533 Mhz.

    And you can experience errors, BSOD, Windows reboot and other inconsistency.
    Specially if you have an OEM motherboard.

    ++
     
  4. goober70

    goober70 MDL Novice

    Oct 29, 2009
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    only 5gig max

    Hi nlspecial and everyone,

    The cnet link does not mention about os. I assume that the it is based on os 32 bit therefore it can only allow 4gig. I try different configuration and it can only handle up to 5gig (see below)!!!!
    slot1 : 2gig ddr2 pc-6400
    slot2 : 2gig ddr2 pc-6400
    slot3 : 1gig ddr2 pc-5400
    slot4 : empty.

    If I put more than 5gig then I can not boot or run window 7 64bits...!!!
    at each time I turn on either the machine beeping or window 7 is hanged.
     
  5. ennio

    ennio Guest

    This is 5.5GB, not 8GB. Leave first and second slot - 4GB, and then try. Reset BIOS/"load default" and then try again.
     
  6. urie

    urie Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 21, 2007
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  7. MrFerretKing

    MrFerretKing MDL Member

    Aug 25, 2009
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    That is kind of weird.
    Dell and Crucial say only 4GB for your model while most other memory sites say 8GB. (I would believe Dell and Crucial over the others)
    But then you said you booted up with 5GB.
    Can you get to the W7 desktop with 5GB and actually see in System Properties that 5GB are installed??

    If so then maybe your board can handle 8GB.


    Side note - Even though mixing PC4200,5200,6400 can work it is not advisable to mix 3 diff speeds of ram. Also some MB's act differently when mixing speeds especially when the RAM timings are not the same.

    If you can get a hold of 8GB worth of PC6400 without buying more ram just for testing, I would try it.
     
  8. HSChronic

    HSChronic MDL Expert

    Aug 25, 2007
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    Dell and Crucial are going by Dell's specs. The other people are going by the chipset. The chipset can hold 8gb of RAM but the manufacturer probably limited the amount the chipset can hold since it is a Dell made board.
     
  9. Michel

    Michel MDL Expert

    Jul 29, 2009
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    You have 3 diffrent ram types in your pc, no wonder it hangs :rolleyes:

    PS: I have 8 GB DDR2 800 MHZ in my pc (all match) and no problems so far
     
  10. goober70

    goober70 MDL Novice

    Oct 29, 2009
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    8gig with a same type and still hang

    Hi Michel,

    Please read my last post. I went out and bought 8gig as a same type and
    it is still hanging.... The computer is waking up but window 7 loading files are hanging.

    What's type of PC do you have may I ask ?
     
  11. MrFerretKing

    MrFerretKing MDL Member

    Aug 25, 2009
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    Try taking one stick out so you have 6GB and see how far it goes.
     
  12. goober70

    goober70 MDL Novice

    Oct 29, 2009
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    pc is beeping with 6 gig (3 pieces of memory of same type)

    Hi MRFerretking

    I took 1 piece out then (slot 4 is empty) then my PC is beeping and won't start. I put it back then no beeping but window 7 will hang at the loading files stage (before starting window message).

    Any sugguestion ?
     
  13. MrFerretKing

    MrFerretKing MDL Member

    Aug 25, 2009
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    Just throwing something out there.

    Have you tried to do an F8 to see if W7 can boot into safemode?

    In your BIOS, find the Power Management options and see if there is a setting that has to do with ACPI. If so select ACPI v2.0 or v3.0 if possible.


    To rule out your W7 dvd or W7 install try getting a hold of x64 Vista, XP, or Linux install disc ( or download one) and try to install and get to a desktop with all 8GB in place.
     
  14. ennio

    ennio Guest

    Have you done what I told you to do?
     
  15. goober70

    goober70 MDL Novice

    Oct 29, 2009
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    #17 goober70, Nov 5, 2009
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2009
    (OP)
    no it does not work

    Hi Ennio and Everyone

    I follow your request then I will have the blue_screen memory_management errror inside window 7. The window try to start for awhile and then give me the blue screen.

    I think there are 2 types problem:
    1) bios problem. if my insert memory does not match, for example if I insert 3 sticks instead of 2 or 4 sticks of memory then my bios will beeping.
    If I insert an even number of the memory stick then it is o.k. So far, I have tried 5gig, 6gig, 8gig and it is o.k with bios. I can see the memory in my bios screen.

    2) window problem. if I insert more than 4 gig then I will have either 2 of the errors:
    a) a blue screen with the memory_management error message or
    b) a black screen "window start loading files" and hang there.

    I think I will try to contact Dell directly to see if my pc motherboard or bios..etc.. can support 64 bits with 8gig memory configuration.

    If you have any idea and want me to try please just post the message.
    then I will follow your sugguestion.

    Thank you
     
  16. Gethsemane

    Gethsemane MDL Member

    Aug 28, 2009
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    I'm with everyone else on this. Your motherboard only supports 4GBs of memory. Short of upgrading your BIOS if it is available; just use the 4GBs of memory until the BIOS is updated. No reason to keep trying something that obviously isn't supported in the Motherboard/BIOS/or other variable factor. You can always add more memory later. But for stability now just use 4gbs.
     
  17. goober70

    goober70 MDL Novice

    Oct 29, 2009
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    agree

    Hi Gethsemane,

    I agree. If I go more than 4gig then the window7 does not support (hanging or having a blue screen Memory_management error).
    I will wait for dell or intell or buying a new motherboard

    Thank you
     
  18. Phazor

    Phazor MDL Expert

    Sep 1, 2009
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