RAM Upgrade Problem

Hi! My notebook is ASUS A6Ja with 1GB memory. Not long ago I decided to expand it to 2GB. As EVEREST said, I had 2 modules of 512MB brand Infineon. The only way for me was to buy two new modules. I decided to buy Kingston with their lifetime warranty. On their website I found suitable ones and chose "1GB 667MHz DDR2 Non-ECC CL5 SODIMM". However, I bought just one module in case that something goes wrong and thought I would buy the second one soon. I easily repalced two old ones with new one. BIOS found new peoce of memory without problems and continued to boot.. And nightmare started.. When Windows started and my usual software began to launch a blue screen of death appeared! Rebooted.. again.. blue screen.. Rebooted and worked! I started my system and everything was working fine. Even games didn't make anything bad to happen. So, it only appears when starting Windows, so i have to cross my fingers every time. I updated BIOS.. No change. It still appears. EVEREST says that my new memory is working ok. So, what's the problem then?? I feel confused. Maybe it is because there is just one module? If I buy the second, will it help?

And a little bit unrelated question.. Is it normal that EVEREST says that the real clock is 167MHz, while the effective is 667? (it is with a new module)

 

What does CPU-Z report as memory information for: new memory, old memory and a combination of new + old? Do you get more reliable behaviour with a combination of new and old RAM? Try the new RAM in both slots.

John

 

Hi, John! I'm not sure what is CPU-Z report is and how to make it. I didn't combine new and old memory, because I heard that it could cause problems. I tried it in both slots. Absolutely identical situation.

Should I attach a report somehow?

 

if the RAM is not in slot 1 (or slot 0 on some systems, either way the first RAM slot) try moving the module into the other slot and see what happens. It should not matter but one never knows.

I am sure ya checked this already but make sure the module is seated properly.

You can find CPU-Z here: http://www.cpuid.com

It's a utility to report info on your system that could be used to dx probs like the one you are having...

 

Yeah, I tried both slots and made sure that they the stick is fitted properly. What report should I do in EVEREST? In which format? I tried to do it, but it's to big to attach it here =(

Or should I definetely use CPUID to make a report?

 

The key info from CPU-Z is on the Memory and SPD tabs. The Memory tab tells you the actual speed of the RAM (note that Frequency is the true frequency, but DDR2 RAM runs at double the clock frequency so 333 means 667). The SPD tab tells you the module data and design timings of the RAM as built into the module. The timing data on the Memory tab should agree with one of these sets. There is a pull-down list on the SPD tab to select which module the information isfor.

Personally, I have had no problem with mixing different modules of DDR2 RAM. The system will detect and use the speed and timings of the slowest module. The reason I suggested mixing modules is to move one step towards finding out whether the new module contains some buggy section. You can also use memtest to check the RAM. I have found that more RAM gives overall better performance, so using one new + one old module is to be preferred, provided it works.

John

 

I made reports when using only old RAM, only new RAM and both at the same time. Together they are working fine.. I haven't seen blue screen yet.

Here are the reports attached!

Thx for explanations! But how can I find out where the problem is? For everything seems ok. At the moment I use both new and old but I'm more than sure that during the game or future boot blue screen will appear...

 

I'll leave my notebook overnight to run MemTest.. I hope it will not say anything bad

 

Coming back to my question.. How to increase Front Side Bus speed? Is it possible? At the moment it is 167.. I think it't VERY low..

 

So far, i don't see any software application can speed up the front side bus, anyone know about this??

Cheers

 

Thanks for making the reports. The old RAM is PC4300 (266MHz) and by running the two together the new RAM is being run at this lower frequency (but with shorter timings - these are the number of clock cycles it takes for certain activities to happen) so the final effect is very similar performance.

Maybe the new RAM is uncomfortable at its rated 333MHz frequency. Memtest may reveal something if you test the 1GB module by itself.

IYou can see how the different RAM modules perform separately or in combination using test software such as Sandra or PCMark.

My experience is that more RAM is better.

John

 

Increasing the FSB of the processor can be done, but it often isn't in notebooks as it affects the final clockspeed of the processor, which basically means that you are effectively overclocking it, which viods the warranty. Now, it may look as though the FSB is small at 166 MHz, but you must remember that it is quad pumped, so it effectively becomes 667 MHz. Doon't worry about the FSB of the processor, it is totally normal.

Going back to the problem, perhaps the new RAM is just bad. Sometiems the RAM may work, and others it may not. I agree with John Ratsey, in that yu should perform some tests on combinations of the RAM modules, and see if any errors come up.

 

based on my experience, if you mix two memory modules with different CL and capacity they will not work together. i did a memory upgrade before and i tried to mix two memory with different CL and capacity and it only give me BSOD.

my advise is buy a memory that has the same speed, CL, and capacity (everything the same).

some people's lappy doesn't have any prob mixing memory with diff configs but most of the time a lot of people reported having issues doing the same thing. always play safe

 

Thx everyone for your opinions! I understood about FSB and don't worry about it anymore.

As regards RAM, I did Memtest having only new module plugged. Not surprisingly, 2 errors of 800%. Does it mean that the module itself is faulty? I'll better try MemTest with New and Old together.

 

I tested both old and new for a couple of hours. It found 1 error of 300% =( May I say that it was a waste of money that i bought Kingston 1GB?

 

Thanks for the feedback. Your final test should be the RAM supplied with the computer.

Regarding interpreting the results, visit the Memtest86 official forum. The FAQs say that no errors are acceptable.

Surely, once you have the evidence, you can get the defective module replaced?

John

 

Ok, I'll test my usual RAM tonight. Actually, I'm not sure if I can replace the new module. I bought it from Amazon.co.uk. Kingston has lifetime warranty so I think I should contact them if something...

 

I believe that Amazon has a good customer service record and that would be my first target. Failing that, you should be able to approach Kingston directly. It seems that the Kingston RAM works better at below the rated speed, which suggests that you have a dodgy module rather than you zapping it with static (relatively difficult in the UK's humid climate).

Incidentally, I ran Memtest on my Q35 just to see howMemtest works. I got zero errors (but I wasn't expecting any).

John

 

Hi again! I also don't think that I shocked something inside. RAM test got no errors of 4500% as expected. Thanks for assistance, John. I will now try to get my money back..