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Winxp won't boot when i installed my new ram


Tekken_War

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Hi,

Here is my rig,

Mobo: P5AD2-E Premium

CPU: p4 3.4 EE

RAM: 1GB pc 5400 pro + 2 GB pc 5400 pro

 

*please note that ( X | X | X | X) represent my ram slots from left to right.

1 = 512 mb

2 = 1gb*

X = empty

 

I used to have only 1gb(2X512MB) installed (1 | X | 1 | X) until i bought 2 gb (2X1GB) last week (10/15/07). My mobo has 4 ram slots. I try to installed both, then when i startup (1 | 2 | 1 | 2), it won't boot up to winxp not even to my bios setup.. So i tried differently by switching around (2 | 1 | 2 | 1), still no success. Then i installed only 2gb

(2 | X | 2 | X), it worked perfectly and it boot up to winxp. Can anyone explain my issue?

 

P.S. Since i installed my 2gb ram, my os crashed often recently.

Thanks

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thanks for reply,

i boot either with 2gb (2*1GB) or 1gb (2*512mb) both work great. I choose to boot with 2gb because it has greater ram capacity. Also, as you said mix, they both are same models but just different capacity. I don't think this is an issue... hopefully not. I use windows xp 32 bits version.

 

Thanks

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Download Memtest from http://www.memtest.org. Extract the ISO image and burn the image to an optical disk.

 

Restart your system. Enter BIOS.

 

Set these settings:

 

Configure System Frequency/Voltage:

 

AI Overclocking = Manual

Performance Mode = Auto

AI Booster = Disabled

CPU Frequency = 200

DRAM Frequency = DDR2-533

PCI Express Frequency, set to = 100

PCI Clock Synch Mode, set to = 33.33MHZ

Spread Spectrum = Enabled (Disabled to Overclock)

Memory Voltage = 2.0v

Chipset Core Voltage = Auto

CPU Voltage Core = Auto

FSB Termination Voltage = Auto

Advanced Chipset Settings:

 

Configure Dram Timings By SPD: Disabled

DRAM CAS# Latency = 5

DRAM RAS# Precharge = 5

DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay = 5

DRAM RAS# Activate to Precharge Delay = 15

DRAM ECC Mode: Disabled

Hyper Path 3: Enabled (if 250fsb+ set to: Disabled)

DRAM Throttling Threshold: AUTO

Boot Graphics Adapter Priority: PCI-Express/PCI

 

Boot to the optical drive and test with Memtest (2 passes) at boot. If you pass, then shut down and install the second set of DRAM. Restart.

 

Results?

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Thx for the setting.

I did the test, 2*512Mb = 2 passes

2*1GB = 2 passes

so i combine these 2 ram for a total of 3gb of ram. It works perfectly now. However, I feel some slowdown vs before.

Is it possible to give me the optimal performance for my bios setting.

Thx

 

P.S. I'm currently using 3GB right now and running under winxp 32 bits.

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I see, but i will be switching to vista soon, any recommendation settings?

 

If you use your computer as a professional workstation, I recommend that you perform a dual boot system as you may find many issues with VISTA at this point in time.

 

If however, you use the computer as a personal workstation and gaming system, then you will very likely find VISTA less a daunting task to maintain compatibility and stability with hardware and software.

 

My advice? Remove all four sticks, sell them while they are still worth a decent amount. Insert 2 X 2048 sticks of DRAM. Since you can run with 4 banks filled (and many can't) you are very likely to be able to run with 4 X 2048 and this will help with future memory needs.

 

Regarding performance. You might be able to do some slight overclocking to gain back some of that peformance loss you gained with the extra GB of DRAM. If you want to look at this avenue, please post in the Enthusiast section regarding this possibility.

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Thx for the advise, and yes i consider my pc as gaming. The reason why for switching to vista it's because of crysis,farcry 2 and more great games coming up(directx 10). I would love to sell but as money concern... i can't do that now. :S

 

I have some friends who are in Vancouver and who work for EA Games. I also await Crysis and I dual boot WinXP/Vista for that reason. There had better be quite a few fixes in VISTA SP1 as it has many issues.

 

I created a Dual Boot that does NOT take over the XP boot though. I installed 1 Raptor 150. Installed XP to that drive. Installed a second Raptor 150, set the Boot to that drive and installed VISTA to that drive. Then I installed 2 X Seagate 750GB drives for storage and entertainment purposes. When I want VISTA I restart the system, boot to the Vista drive with F8 (Choose Boot Device) and I have no issues with removing one OS or drive.

 

I believe that creating a Dual Boot system with the VISTA boot manager is problematic at best and non-workable at worst.

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I have some friends who are in Vancouver and who work for EA Games. I also await Crysis and I dual boot WinXP/Vista for that reason. There had better be quite a few fixes in VISTA SP1 as it has many issues.

 

I created a Dual Boot that does NOT take over the XP boot though. I installed 1 Raptor 150. Installed XP to that drive. Installed a second Raptor 150, set the Boot to that drive and installed VISTA to that drive. Then I installed 2 X Seagate 750GB drives for storage and entertainment purposes. When I want VISTA I restart the system, boot to the Vista drive with F8 (Choose Boot Device) and I have no issues with removing one OS or drive.

 

I believe that creating a Dual Boot system with the VISTA boot manager is problematic at best and non-workable at worst.

 

Very interesting... Now i need to buy extra hard drive...

since i have 2*74gb raptor in raid 0 might as well separate them. I like your idea, i'll give it a try... once i did all my backup >.>

Also, there is another reason for not buying another 2*1GB... is my system kinda 2.5 years old since i spent around 700-800$ on GFX and Ram only... kinda painfull for me ><. I was planning to wait another 2-3 years until my system is out-to-date. So i'll buy a better gaming rig...

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I was planning to wait another 2-3 years until my system is out-to-date. So i'll buy a better gaming rig...

 

That's what I would do if I was you as well. You will find 2GB and Crysis in VISTA 32 will be fine. As long as you have a good graphics card, which you do.

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That's what I would do if I was you as well. You will find 2GB and Crysis in VISTA 32 will be fine. As long as you have a good graphics card, which you do.

 

Yeah, hopefully no more upgrade and spending until i will get new gaming rig. Anyway, one last question before i considered my issue solves. Can you give me or list me a higher recommended setting from the actual setting i have (from the list above)?

 

Also, your gaming rig can survive between 3-5 years if you do upgrades only... You can buy a whole new set of course if the money isn't concern for you. >.>

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Yeah, hopefully no more upgrade and spending until i will get new gaming rig. Anyway, one last question before i considered my issue solves. Can you give me or list me a higher recommended setting from the actual setting i have (from the list above)?

 

Also, your gaming rig can survive between 3-5 years if you do upgrades only... You can buy a whole new set of course if the money isn't concern for you. >.>

 

I would post in the Enthusiast section where you can get help for optimizing your system. Post with a request to have your system optimized. This area is for trouble-shooting issues.

 

I personally change systems every six months or so, but that is due to being bored with the current hardware and a desire to move to the newest.

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