RAM problem Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Hello, My laptop is a COMPAQ CQ42-115TU. I upgraded the RAM of my laptop today, but whenever I'm using the new RAM modules, the machine refuses to boot. I couldn't boot even once using the new memory modules. I mean even the screen with COMPAQ logo doesn't appear. Naturally, I can't even enter BIOS. Pressing the f9, f10 etc doesn't work either. My laptop has two slots for RAM, one of which was filled by a single 2GB RAM (came with the machine). Now I'm trying to upgrade to 2 RAM sticks of 4GB each (had to remove the old one). The new ones are from Corsair, old one was Samsung. I got two sets of the same memory module (Module Part Number CMSO4GX3M1A1333C9). Its 4 GB each, so its a total of 8GB. I'm already using Windows 7 64 bit, so I guess the issue with more than 4 GB RAM will not matter. I checked with HP, the maximum amount of RAM allowed for my machine is 8GB (2*4GB), so I haven't exceeded that either. Here I go with the steps I followed and the results: 1. Seated a single RAM stick of 4GB (from Corsair) ---------> Laptop doesn't boot, even the screen with COMPAQ logo doesn't appear Same results even when I place the RAM in the other slot. 2. Seated both RAM sticks of 4GB (from Corsair) ------------> Laptop doesn't boot, even the screen with COMPAQ logo doesn't appear Same results even when I swap the slots 3. Seated one 4GB RAM + old 2GB RAM (4 GB from Corsair + 2GB Samsung that came with the machine) ---------> Laptop doesn't boot, even the screen with COMPAQ logo doesn't appear Same results even when I swap the slots 4. Just seated the old 2GB RAM (Samsung one which came with the machine)--------------> Laptop boots and behaves normally. Same results even when I place the RAM in the other slot. I repeated the above steps multiple times, and everytime I got the same results. I assume the procedure I followed is correct as the 2GB RAM does work each and every time it is reseated and both the RAM slots are okay as well as I tried the 2 GB one (Samsung, came with machine) in both slots. Only the 2 4GB modules from Corsair doesn't behave normally, both when used together or individually or with the 2GB one. Here's the report of my older 2GB samsung RAM as generated by Speccy: Memory slots Total memory slots 2 Used memory slots 1 Free memory slots 1 Memory Type DDR3 Size 2048 MBytes Channels # Single DRAM Frequency 399.1 MHz CAS# Latency (CL) 6 clocks RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) 6 clocks RAS# Precharge (tRP) 6 clocks Cycle Time (tRAS) 15 clocks Physical Memory Memory Usage 37 % Total Physical 1.93 GB Available Physical 1.21 GB Total Virtual 3.87 GB Available Virtual 3.11 GB SPD Number Of SPD Modules 1 Slot #1 Type DDR3 Size 2048 MBytes Manufacturer Samsung Max Bandwidth PC3-10700 (667 MHz) Part Number M471B5673EH1-CH9 Serial Number 95C555DB Week/year 12 / 10 SPD Ext. EPP JEDEC #4 Frequency 685.7 MHz CAS# Latency 9.0 RAS# To CAS# 10 RAS# Precharge 10 tRAS 25 tRC 34 Voltage 1.500 V JEDEC #3 Frequency 609.5 MHz CAS# Latency 8.0 RAS# To CAS# 8 RAS# Precharge 8 tRAS 22 tRC 30 Voltage 1.500 V JEDEC #2 Frequency 533.3 MHz CAS# Latency 7.0 RAS# To CAS# 7 RAS# Precharge 7 tRAS 20 tRC 27 Voltage 1.500 V JEDEC #1 Frequency 457.1 MHz CAS# Latency 6.0 RAS# To CAS# 6 RAS# Precharge 6 tRAS 17 tRC 23 Voltage 1.500 V According to cpu-z, the 2GB Samsung RAM (the one that came with my laptop) has the following specs: Type: DDR3 Channels # Single Size 2048 MBytes DRAM Frequency 399.0 MHz CAS# Latency (CL) 6.0 clocks RAS# t0 CAS# Delay (tRCD) 6 clocks RAS# Precharge (tRP) 6 clocks Cycle Time (tRAS) 15 clocks (all other spaces are grayed out) I also called HP, and they said there's no compatibility issue between Corsair and HP/Compaq products. Any idea what's wrong? I tried every possible method known to me and still the RAM modules don't work. In case, its a faulty RAM, I'd like to know the replacement/refund/return policy of Corsair. I had the module for one day only. Obviously, I had to unpack them to see if they were working on my machine or not. Since, its not working (assuming both guys at HP tech support were right about the compatibility), will Corsair refund the cost or replace the module with a compatible one? I bought the RAM modules from a local store. If Corsair doesn't have an issue with taking the RAM back after unpacking, does the store I bought it from have any authority to refuse refund/replacement? My apologies for the huge explanation I'm just trying to provide as much info as possible, so that the cause of the problem can be filtered easily. Thanks a lot for the patience. Thanks and regards, RAM problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanutz94 Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Unfortunatly , those modules would not be compatible with that system because of the chips used to make the modules. What i mean is that right now Corsair modules would be made with 512mb IC and your pentium based system would be limited to modules constructed of 256mb IC's Max. So , unless you can find older stock somewhere it might be hard to find aftermarket modules. It may be best to contact HP and get the memory directly from them in this case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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