Why is Windows not booting up after replacing RAM?

I replaced my RAM today. I replaced the old one with a 2 GB stick.

On the specs is says the RAM should be at 667 MHz. The new one is at 1066. It boots and it works well. But if I restart it, it exits Windows (like it normally does), and then it does not boot up again, until I shut it down from the power button and start it again.

Andrew

Posted 2011-11-05T20:02:28.397

Reputation: 139

Answers

Go into the BIOS and set all RAM speed, voltage, and timing settings to their defaults. Enable automatic detection for all RAM settings. See if that solves the problem.

If so, the problem was that one of those settings wasn't correct for your current RAM configuration. There are a lot of ways it can be incorrect. If you want me to work out the right settings for you, update your question with the full specifications (or model numbers) for every stick of RAM in your machine. (You need to pick the lowest speed all RAM modules can support at the same voltage.)

David Schwartz

Posted 2011-11-05T20:02:28.397

Reputation: 58 310

That is a problem. I tried to find where to set it in BIOS but I see no option to do it. I have the Phoenix bios. It doesn't have anything RAM, CPU or clock related. – Andrew – 2011-11-06T08:10:30.510

It may be worth replacing original RAM in case it is another problem that happened by coincidence. – BrianA – 2011-11-06T08:25:46.230

I tried the new one with and without the old one and still the same problem – Andrew – 2011-11-06T10:02:51.833

Bios: Phoenix v 1.03 – Andrew – 2011-11-06T10:12:26.987

Better to tell old and new brand and name of DIMMs in any case – Lazy Badger – 2011-11-06T11:29:41.307

"set all RAM speed, voltage, and timing settings to their defaults" - really? I'll prefer to use vendor-recommended settings (example - with default voltage my Corsair Dominator just "doesn't work") – Lazy Badger – 2011-11-06T11:37:06.150

The problem with vendor-recommended settings is that they're very hard to get right, especially if you have more than one stick from different vendors. RAM that won't work at default voltages and timings is very rare. I've never seen Corsair Dominator sticks that didn't work at default voltages and timings. They will not, however, work at factory timings and default voltages. That's why I suggested setting all RAM-related settings to defaults. – David Schwartz – 2011-11-06T12:43:57.983

First to do is a bios update which often fixes incompatibilities with CPUs and memory.
Have you bought some special overclocking-modules? If so, probably you have to increase memory voltage for having a stable system. This should be noted somewhere on the packaging. As David already proposed, reset all other settings to defaults.
If both is fine, remove one of the modules and restart your computer. Problem still persists? Also try swapping modules and banks. Just read you only wrote about one module?
Have memtest running for some while. Everything's fine with your RAM?

Jens Erat

Posted 2011-11-05T20:02:28.397

Reputation: 14 141