Computer rebooting after several minutes after new RAM was installed

[Englander]

As the title suggests, I recently installed new RAM in my aunt's computer (quadrupling her memory to 1GB) and since this, after about 10 minutes the computer always restarts itself. I assume the RAM is dodgy - is it in need of being sent back or can anything else be done?

Thanks, Michael

[Jay]

download memtest and give that a run. are they all matched? If not remove unmatched sticks.

[shaithis]

There is either a dodgy stick of RAM (how many did you install?) or the speed/timings are incorrect in the BIOS.

[Englander]

Just 1x1 GB.

I'll give memtest a try and then also check timings, thanks.

[Dingo]

Just 1x1 GB.

I'll give memtest a try and then also check timings, thanks.

Also make sure that the ram you have inserted is compatible with the motherboard (ie) was the ram you removed rated at 2700 as opposed to 3200 (example) which you have now installed and does the motherboard support it?........look up mobo specs on internet if you don't have original box etc and it should tell you what it supports.

You haven't given specs of the computer, which would help, I'm presuming you have gone from 256mb to 1GB in same slot on the motherboard so running in single\dual channel won't be an issue as neither will matched pairs.....so my bet at the moment is the reason I gave above.....if not that then maybe dodgy memory.


ps Have you tried the new ram in another slot on the board as well?

[Blitzen]

Also make sure that the ram you have inserted is compatible with the motherboard (ie) was the ram you removed rated at 2700 as opposed to 3200 (example)

That shouldnt make a difference.
The faster RAM would clock itself back automatically to the speed of the slowest module.

[Jay]

That shouldnt make a difference.
The faster RAM would clock itself back automatically to the speed of the slowest module.

but if the voltages are different then it will be an issue.

[Blitzen]

but if the voltages are different then it will be an issue.

Certainly would.

[Englander]

Also make sure that the ram you have inserted is compatible with the motherboard (ie) was the ram you removed rated at 2700 as opposed to 3200 (example) which you have now installed and does the motherboard support it?........look up mobo specs on internet if you don't have original box etc and it should tell you what it supports.

You haven't given specs of the computer, which would help, I'm presuming you have gone from 256mb to 1GB in same slot on the motherboard so running in single\dual channel won't be an issue as neither will matched pairs.....so my bet at the moment is the reason I gave above.....if not that then maybe dodgy memory.


ps Have you tried the new ram in another slot on the board as well?

Yes I have tried the RAM in the other slot as well. I don't have the specs with me at the moment, but I replaced the original 256MB with a 1GB stick running at the same speed (PC3200).

I'll be running the memtest program on Friday, probably, how long would I need to run it for?

[Dingo]

Just out of interest, once the pc has rebooted after ten minutes, does it then shut down again and reboot on a continuous cycle or will it stay alive?.

Reason I ask is that one of the things we haven't explored is a heat issue due perhaps to a fan being inadvertently disconnected whilst replacing ram.....easy thing to do if you have sausages for fingers like i do!!

[Englander]

Just out of interest, once the pc has rebooted after ten minutes, does it then shut down again and reboot on a continuous cycle or will it stay alive?.

Reason I ask is that one of the things we haven't explored is a heat issue due perhaps to a fan being inadvertently disconnected whilst replacing ram.....easy thing to do if you have sausages for fingers like i do!!

Don't worry, I checked all the fans and they're spinning happily Once it restarts itself, it's good for another 10/20 minutes before the cycle repeats.

[Dingo]

Don't worry, I checked all the fans and they're spinning happily Once it restarts itself, it's good for another 10/20 minutes before the cycle repeats.

Hmm, have you tried looking in the Event Log to see if is recording an error?.

It just might be aged parts that are causing the problem.....if the pc was from a generic manufacturer then the PSU could be causing the problem or it just might be that the cpu paste has become brittle with age and no longer performs as it should and needs refreshing......might be an idea to investigate these possibilities as well.