Cannot reload Vista x86 with 4GB installed

Hello,

First off, relevant system specs:

Acer Aspire 5570
Core Duo T2450 2.0Ghz
4GB (2x2GB) PC2-5300 (BIOS only shows 3318MB, which is fine)
945GM chipset
Vista Ultimate 32bit x86

I know that I can't install Vista with 4GB, so I installed it with 2GB installed, then tried to install KB929777. However, it (the hotfix) won't install with only 2GB installed. I put the memory back to 4GB and the OS will not boot properly, it BSOD's all the time and with different errors.

I then thought I would create a vlite DVD with that hotfix installed so I did that, and when I went to install with 4GB, it would bluescreen with different errors when trying to just get it to boot to the first Vista setup screen. So out goes 2GB of it, and it installs fine. However, putting the memory back in as the first scenario and it results in the same problem. I checked installed updates and it appears that the hotfix was installed successfully as it is showing.

I then thought that maybe SP1 would help this so I install SP1, shut down, put the 2GB module back in, and it doesn't boot just as in the previous situations. No relevant windows updates that I can see that would help. all I

I'm kinda stumped at this point.

Right now, I have a vlited Vista Ultimate without SP1 that was set up prior to having 4GB (was first 2GB, then 3GB, then 4GB) and it doesn't have that KB929777 installed nor SP1 and it boots and works flawlessly with the 4GB.

Does anyone think it might be a driver issue?

Any ideas/hints, all are welcome and I will try them all.

 

do you have lastest bios on you laptop?

also have you ran a mem test on all 4 gig you ram see if it works okay

also what is the max ram on laptop maybe it got limnt but am guess not since bios say 3318

 

Yes, I do have the latest BIOS. I will try an older BIOS and see, perhaps that will help.

Yes, I have run memtest86+ (24 hours) and Microsoft's memtest and no errors/issues.

The "limit" is 4GB but the amount actually seen is 3318MB both by BIOS and Windows.

Thanks for the reply. I will try an older BIOS and perhaps doing a reload with 2GB installed, then try a new chipset driver before installing the other 2GB.

 

Do you really have SP1? According to Cnet.com MS is holding on the true release due to some concerns with some systems.

Is this a fresh install? Vista x32 will load okay with 4gb, it just won't recognized the whole 4gb. Vista x64 would be better. If it is a fresh install download all the drivers before doing so but sometimes Vista will find updated drivers automatically except for the card readers.

 

I've tried it with and without SP1. I only tried the SP1 as a last resort.

Core Duo T2450 doesn't support 64bit so x64 Vista is not an option for me.

It simply will not load the OS with 4GB, whether I am trying to install the OS or it has been installed and all Windows updates applied. I don't understand.

I have lowered the bios version to one that Acer says is for Vista with same results.

 

I would contact Acer for assistance. This definitely (probably) isn't a Vista problem.

 

It will load fine with 3GB.

What is weird, is that it will load something with 4GB but i just can't see what it is. The keyboard seems to be responsive and all, the HD light is doing something. I will hook up an external monitor, maybe it's outputting to there for some reason..