PC Freezing Since Memory Upgrade - Please Help??

swiftmed

swiftmed

swiftmed

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Joined
29 Nov 2008
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11
Hey Guys,

I am currently running quite a nice system, it had 4x 512mb DDR2 ram sticks however i wanted to upgrade to 4gb of ram.

I went and purchased "PNY DDR2 2GB PC5300" from PCWorld, however since installing it, every now and again, my computer 'totally' freezes, and i have to turn it off by the switch.

I have discovered that the freezing doesnt happen when im doing one specific process on the computer, it can happen whilst im running photoshop, or opening firefox, or even just logging into windows.

Could anybody advise on what could be causing this, what i can do to fix it or, well, any suggestions really. Thanks a lot for your time and advice in advance.

Computer Spec:
AMD Sempron 3400+ 1.8Ghz
Ram - 3.5gb DDR2 (3x512mb sticks, 1x 2gb stick)
gigabyte m55plus s3g

Thanks
Andrew
 
Different ram timings..incompatibility with different ram makes..

Sounds a bit of a mish-mash having 3 520mb sticks and a 1gb stick on your mobo.

That's my two cents...sorry :)

Are the ram sticks different makes???
 
VortexA1 said:
Different ram timings..incompatibility with different ram makes..

Sounds a bit of a mish-mash having 3 520mb sticks and a 1gb stick on your mobo.

That's my two cents...sorry :)

Are the ram sticks different makes???
Click to expand...

Yeah i had a feeling this was going to be the issue. Yeah the 3x 512mb are one make, the new 2gb chip is another.

So you think if i replace the 3x 512 sticks for a second 2gb which is the same make and model as the current one, that would make a difference yah?
 
Recently found that I had to relax timings (& frequency) with my mixed match of sticks & BSODs/freezing/etc no more.

Also, test the new RAM with Memtest to rule out its not faulty.

EDIT: Try purchase RAM in kits
 
Last edited:
try manually setting all the timings to the speed of the 2gb stick, this should be the slowest out of the lot. Check your mch (northbridge) voltage is +0.1 volts above standard. Run memtest with just the new stick in the system to rule out it being faulty.

Dump the 3x512 and buy another 2gb stick and just use 2x2gb sticks. Try to not mix brands/speeds/timings of ram if you can help it. Best thing to do it allways buy it in kits for the amount you want, then when you upgrade, sell the old kit to someone else.
 
Benimaru said:
Why in the world would u buy ram from pcworld of all places?? Surely theres better brands and offers on ocuk
Click to expand...


Simply because ive never used ocuk before!! Not all of us are savvy with computers, and indeed forums, so sorry if that offended you that i purchased from pc world. ;)
 
Benimaru said:
Why in the world would u buy ram from pcworld of all places?? Surely theres better brands and offers on ocuk
Click to expand...

The guy was asking for help,Not for you to criticize where he got his mem sticks from!!!

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Personally m8,I'd do what "Ch3m1c4L" said....

Ch3m1c4L said:
Dump the 3x512 and buy another 2gb stick and just use 2x2gb sticks
Click to expand...


***Edit*** Note:That if your running windows xp,the 32Bit OS will only recognise 3Gb of memory.To get full use of 4Gb you have to use a 64Bit OS :) ***Edit***
 
Last edited:
Ch3m1c4L said:
try manually setting all the timings to the speed of the 2gb stick, this should be the slowest out of the lot. Check your mch (northbridge) voltage is +0.1 volts above standard. Run memtest with just the new stick in the system to rule out it being faulty.

Dump the 3x512 and buy another 2gb stick and just use 2x2gb sticks. Try to not mix brands/speeds/timings of ram if you can help it. Best thing to do it allways buy it in kits for the amount you want, then when you upgrade, sell the old kit to someone else.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for all of your advice guys. I have taken all of your advice and dumped the 3x 512mb sticks, and got an identical 2gb stick, and the machine hasnt had any problems since installing it this afternoon, so fingers crossed, the issue should be sorted.

Thanks again, i apprecate your advice peeps ;)
 
That's ok m8. We're here to help.:)

Best thing to do what youve done. 'mish-mash no good' lol :D

Glad it's sorted.
 
Sry if my post offended anyone, I only really assumed if you were posting on ocuk forum you would know you could buy better and cheaper ram on the ocuk website.

Good to hear your pc is working agian ;)
 
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