Computer not booting

[f4rn4th]

Good morning fellow geeks...!

 

 

:mad:I am starting to get a little miffed about this so before the computer goes out the window i thought i'd ask some fellow geeks who are more superior than I.

 

I have bought this new stick of RAM. 1GB Pc2700 184PIN stick of RAM. I have plonked it into the computer along with the measly 512mb stick it had in there already of the same spec. When i turn the computer on, it registers the new RAM and says i have 1.5gb of RAM installed.

 

So it goes through the process of loading windows etc etc, then when it comes to actually loading the desktop it just doesn't load. IT occasionally comes up with the desktop but then it just turns off after about 5 seconds and then does the whole process all over again.

 

If i start the computer in SAFE mode the computer works fine. But if i try and do it in Last known good configuration then it does the same thing and doesn't bl***y work.

 

IF i take out the new stick of RAM and keep the original old stick in there it works fine.

 

So what is the problem? Does it mean that the stick of RAM is faulty or not? Cause i can see the RAM and it registers with the MOBO and BIOS to say that there is a new stick of RAM installed.

 

So any help would be good?

 

Thanks fellow edugeekers

 

Ben

[Steve21]

Does it work with "just" the new stick of RAM in? Might be issue between the two types, if you got different ones, but worth a try

 

Steve

[f4rn4th]

Does it work with "just" the new stick of RAM in? Might be issue between the two types, if you got different ones, but worth a try

 

Steve

 

No, it doesn't. Does the same thing as i said. If i have the new stick of RAM and boot in safe mode it'll work but if i try to boot normally after a few seconds it just restarts?

[gtg93]

Also, have you tried the new RAM in another computer?

[glennda]

Try running Memtest it might be that you have been given a dodgy stick of ram.

[f4rn4th]

Also, have you tried the new RAM in another computer?

 

Yeah the stick works in another computer?

[glennda]

Yeah the stick works in another computer?

 

does the mobo of the machine you are putting it in support the ram? how old is the machine?

[f4rn4th]

Hmm i have just done a check on the computer which it's being installed into. It's pretty old computer but it reckons or says the maximum memory that the mobo can deal with is 1GB? Presario S5500UK Memory - Upgrade Compaq S5500UK Presario Computer Memory

 

Also i can't for some unknown reason access the BIOS? F2/Del/F8 doesn't work?

[Hightower]

Have you tried the new stick of RAM in the first computer, in all available memory modules? Might be a dodgy slot rather then memory

[f4rn4th]

Have you tried the new stick of RAM in the first computer, in all available memory modules? Might be a dodgy slot rather then memory

 

Yeah tried that initially as i thought it's an old piece of kit maybe the slot has become blocked or it's just not being seen by the mobo but no the original memory module works fine in there.

[difinity]

As previously said, test the memory with memtest. I had a PC yesterday, tuned on and booted up fine. Logged on fine but brought up loads of windows errors. tested the memory and one stick was completely faulty.

[Steve21]

Silly question too, but what exactly is the stick of RAM you bought? It's not something stupid like bought DDR2 and the pc doesn't support it etc?

 

Steve

[f4rn4th]

But i'm guessing, if the motherboard can only deal with 1GB if i'm trying to input 1 GB stick along with the 512 stick in there already it's going to have a whine isn't it?

[Steve21]

But i'm guessing, if the motherboard can only deal with 1GB if i'm trying to input 1 GB stick along with the 512 stick in there already it's going to have a whine isn't it?

 

Well yes, but you said you tried it on it's own too?

 

No, it doesn't. Does the same thing as i said. If i have the new stick of RAM and boot in safe mode it'll work but if i try to boot normally after a few seconds it just restarts?

 

Steve

[f4rn4th]

Silly question too, but what exactly is the stick of RAM you bought? It's not something stupid like bought DDR2 and the pc doesn't support it etc?

 

Steve

 

No the RAM is exactly the same (not the same make) but it's same frequency etc. PC2700, DDR 333MZ.

[tech_guy]

Could be it's 1GB max - with a 512MB in each slot if there's two slots. There's your answer I'm afraid.

[f4rn4th]

Well yes, but you said you tried it on it's own too?

 

 

 

Steve

 

Oh yes so i did... sorry haha! Not with it... blame it on being Friday. One problem is i can't actually run MEMtest on it at the moment, because i can't access the boot menu to change the boot sequence because i can't access the BIOS? F2 and or Del doesn't work. Nor does F8 or any of the other silly or weird commands some boards like to use?

[glennda]

But i'm guessing, if the motherboard can only deal with 1GB if i'm trying to input 1 GB stick along with the 512 stick in there already it's going to have a whine isn't it?

 

try see if there is a bios update - its most likely to be the bios thats restricting the max ram.

[Steve21]

Oh yes so i did... sorry haha! Not with it... blame it on being Friday. One problem is i can't actually run MEMtest on it at the moment, because i can't access the boot menu to change the boot sequence because i can't access the BIOS? F2 and or Del doesn't work. Nor does F8 or any of the other silly or weird commands some boards like to use?

 

Isn't it F10 on some compaqs? Or none working?

(Know some stupid compaqs use alt-ctl-esc too, not sure wtf they're smoking when making these)

 

Steve

Edited April 8, 2011 by Steve21

[glennda]

Try escape it was that on dome old machines. Or take the hdd out as it will then go down the list.

[CESIL]

I have had trouble in the past with RAM with a different chip layout from original.

 

Does the new memory stick have a different number of chips on it?

 

I know some older computers would only accept RAM in specific layouts

[f4rn4th]

Isn't it F10 on some compaqs? Or none working?

(Know some stupid compaqs use alt-ctl-esc too, not sure wtf they're smoking when making these)

 

Steve

 

To access the bios, i had to press ESC. Then ctrl + f1...? What a bloody weird combination.

[chazzy2501]

Try running Memtest it might be that you have been given a dodgy stick of ram.

 

I second this, run it for a couple of hours.

[f4rn4th]

I have had trouble in the past with RAM with a different chip layout from original.

 

Does the new memory stick have a different number of chips on it?

 

I know some older computers would only accept RAM in specific layouts

 

Well actually the stick i have in there originally has 16 chip's on it, and the new module has 18 chips on it. It's got one extra in the middle on both sides.

 

I have ran MEM check and it is still running but all i can see it RED. The Sticks appear to have errors all over them.

 

Even the old RAM appears to be a little messed up. I'll run the mem check on the old stick of RAM on it's own and the new stick of RAM on it's own to check but it appears as i've got a duff memory module! GRRRRRRR

[LosOjos]

According to the spec (here: Motherboard Specifications, A7N8X-LA (Focus) Compaq Presario S5500UK Desktop PC - HP technical support (United Kingdom - English)) it supports up to 2GB of RAM with 1GB in each slot.

 

Two 184-pin DDR DIMM

Maximum memory size is up to 2GB, 1GB per slot (the PC manufacturer's recommended maximum memory may differ)

Supports PC2700/PC2100

 

Add to that the fact it still crashes when you use only that RAM module, and I'd say it's almost certainly faulty RAM: get it replaced.