4GB RAM with W.Vista

[Bounty_Bam]

Whenever I put in my other 2GB stick of RAM, my PC refuses to come on, powers up but no signal to screen (same problem as my last post). I understand that vista has issues with 4GB RAm when installing. I installed with only 2GB RAM with no problem at all, but now I put the other module in and it soesnt want to cooperate.. I believe there is a 'patch' needed for vista to run 4GB+ RAM?


EDIT: Oo! and one more question (saves starting new thread) I activated windows last night over the phone, but at the bottom right of my desktop it still says ' This copy of windows is not genuine'??

[Blitzen]

Lots of us have used 4gb with Vista trouble free.
I think its more of a compatibility with all the other components and it just so happens Vista always gets the blame.

Have a look in the bios to see if all the memory can be addressed.

The OCZ you have likes 2.1V ....is it set to that?

[dangel]

Reading round some people report problems with the IP-35 and corsair PSUs as well as incompatibility with certain memory..

Got the latest bios etc?

[Agent]

There is a hotfix needed on certain setups for 4gig to work, although I thought it was only for the installer and not when the OS was up on running.

I've posted it a few times, but I'll try and dig it out.

Edit - Just to make it clear, do you get past the system POST, or does the system fully fail to boot to that point?

Download details: Update for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB929777)

[Bounty_Bam]

There is a hotfix needed on certain setups for 4gig to work, although I thought it was only for the installer and not when the OS was up on running.

I've posted it a few times, but I'll try and dig it out.

Edit - Just to make it clear, do you get past the system POST, or does the system fully fail to boot to that point?

fully fails to boot

[Agent]

Its not a Vista issue then

Have you tried raising the voltage to the northbridge? This is usually needed when running 4gig.
Also make sure your BIOS is up to date. Dont be scared to give the RAM a bit more voltage either

[dangel]

Its not a Vista issue then

Have you tried raising the voltage to the northbridge? This is usually needed when running 4gig.
Also make sure your BIOS is up to date. Dont be scared to give the RAM a bit more voltage either

Worth checking what the manu's recommended limits are for the memory..

[Agent]

Of course, but its extremely unlikely that a small increase will damage them. Its about common sense as always
Also worth checking to see if they are being under volted (this you would need to raise it more to get the 'true' voltage they require)

[Bounty_Bam]

How do I go about raising the juice a touch? Could someone write me a basic guide?

[chrisj]

Have you tried with each module on its own? I had a problem with some RAM a while back where one of the modules was DOA, try running memtest to rule that out. Otherwise voltage problems sound likely

[Bounty_Bam]

Have you tried with each module on its own? I had a problem with some RAM a while back where one of the modules was DOA, try running memtest to rule that out. Otherwise voltage problems sound likely

ill try now

[Bounty_Bam]

Just tried putting my second stick of RAM in place of the one I currently have in..on its own, and it won't turn on, would this be a faulty with the RAM module? Or can this be sorted with the DDR2 voltages? ( i doubt it )

[Agent]

It could just require a bit more voltage than the other stick, although thats unlikely if they were made together. Worth a shot.

If it wont POST on its own though, chances are its dead buddy.

[Bounty_Bam]

RMA'd cheers