BSOD when upgrading RAM...WTF?

Hey guys

Just purchased a HP DV2000z AMD turion64x2 with 256mb's of memory. I upgraded my other HP without a hitch, but this one is giving me problems. I first purchased some OCZ PC2-4200 533mhz 1GB SO-DIMM 200 pin. This stick gave me BSOD and would reboot. IT will continue to do this if left in.

So then I went back on to newegg to purchase another stick of ram thinking I purchased the wrong speed. I then purchased a one stick of Patriot 1GB PC-5300 667mhz 200 pin SO-DIMM, and now that stick is not working as well.

I just purchased this notebook straight from HP, and the only thing I did to it is do a fresh install. The original stick that came with it works flawlessly, and gives me no problems at all. Can someone that owns one of these DV2000z's tell me what they are using. The BIOS is of no help, and I have all of the latest drivers and BIOS according to the HP website.

Someone please help!

Thanx

Justin

 

Reset the ram. I had the same problem with mine. Wiggle back in forth several times before securing.

 

I have a friend who bought a dv6000z, and he had the exact same problem. He upgraded the ram, and after a couple minutes it would bluescreen and restart. He also bought new ram and had the same problem. He contacted hp and returned it/configured a new one, and has upgraded the ram successfully... not sure why it happened though...

 

Simply put, Turion X2's are very picky about RAM (the integrated memory controller won't tolerate what Intel's slower external controllers will). That, and the SODIMM makers are often too lazy to test against AMD chips. I can almost guarantee that Crucial memory will work but you'll pay for it. ZipZoomFly has a fairly decent price but they're out of stock. Kingston might work too.

We went through the same thing when the DDR1 AMD notebooks first came out. Crucial worked when others (including Corsair) didn't and I've been buying Crucial ever since, including for desktops (usually). I'd hoped that SODIMM makers would have learned by now but... guess not.

It wouldn't hurt to try reseating the RAM though as blue68f100 says. I've had that fix a no-boot situation before.

 

Hey

WOW you guys are so quick! Much quicker than HArdforums, I will post here with any problems concerning my laptop from now on. Thank you for all of the advise. I will try reseating, and then try the crucial or kingston. Then I will send this POS back if that doesnt work.

Thanks guys!

Love the boards!

Justin

 

I completely agree and yet I was surprized the my single core Turion has no complaints using 512mb Transcend and 1gb PQI. It's true that I upgraded only last month so maybe there really is a learning curve and RAM manufacturers adjust their products.

 

That would be my assumption too. I'd hoped Transcend would play nice with the Turion X2 but someone here reported that they didn't work.

 

Brianstretch, I Currently writing this from my laptop with 1.18GB's of ram. I have had this thing on for about 30 minutes so far, and not one BSOD. Everything seems to be fine, and I owe it all to you.

Someone really needs to tell people about this stuff when they purchase a notebook. Would have saved me a ton of trouble. I had to purchase three sticks of ram, which was not cheap. I had to pay restocking fees from Newegg, all of which I hope HP will cover for me. I wont hold my breath though.

Thanks for all the help guys, I am really freaking happy.

Justin