Ram Boot Issues

Well it's been a while since I was last on here. Anyway been having some issues lately, after taking my ram to clean the dust out of the case i have come with a boot problem now. It will not let me go past the memory check.
Scenario:
2 x 512mb DDR running at 400 MGHZ on dual channel - worked fine
now it only boots with one, tried booting with either sticks on either channel and it works fine.
Anyone have any suggestions as to how to fix the problem because running vista ultimate with glass enabled on 1 stick is pretty poor.

 

Did you try them in the same slot ? If so, the second slot might have dirt lodged somewhere- try recleaning with aerosol , when computer is cold, and wait for at least two minutes for cold air to dispurse before refitting.
Also clean the contact points on the ram.

 

Hi,
Tried both modules in every slot there is. It will boot fine with either module in either slot. As soon as the second one is added that's when the problem occurs. Could it be a problem with vista?

 

Did the bios reset itself when you only had one module inserted?

By boot I assume the bios works but the OS doesnt?

Studio T

 

Not to my knowledge. Right now i have the processor running at 3.45 Ghz from normal 3 just to help me run glass on vista. I did manage once or twice to actually get into the os after taking out the battery and clearning cmos.
This is the scanraio tell me if it makes sence.
I put any of the 2 modules of ram into any slot. Computer boots fine
I put a second module. Computer hangs checks the memory, then next should comes hard drives etc. before the initial boot. Still with me? Ok.
My thoughts at this moment are the module is faulty. So i go and check that by removing the firsrt module and placing the second one in. Computer boots into the os fine. Next i checked the second theory. Ram slots damaged, control on mothertboard gone. First working module goes in a different slot on the motherboard. Works fine. Basically tried to boot with both modules individualy at the time changing the slots respectivelly = SUCCESS
As soon as i try and boot with two modules it hands. It won't let me even get into the bios.
Have i lost you so far?

 

Apparently Vista will play up if it finds faulty Ram- which probably ran o.k in Xp.
Run memtest 86, and check both ram sticks.
See this , for someone's experience with ram, and Vista.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?p=399

 

So the bios no longer works with two modules fitted, what options are available when only one is installed? Your original post mentioned dual channel operation.

Studio T

 

Ok sorry for the confusion if i may have caused some. Both modules ran fine under vista as well as xp. When i boot with two after the memory check it just hangs there. Bios isn't available that's correct. With one module however i am withing vista or bios to do what i like. Will give my memory a quick check although i highly doubt that's where the problem lies seeing as i have already tested them as mentioned in my previous post.

[bstudiot] So the bios no longer works with two modules fitted, what options are available when only one is installed? Your original post mentioned dual channel operation.

Correct, dual channel,as I said before once or twice after clearing cmos i managed to get into vista (single channel) but followed by a blue screen not long after. Maybe that's what I should do next,debug although im not too familiar with it
baklogic,
will look into the article now as well

 

I will try one last time to make my self clear.

IF YOU CAN'T GET TO BIOS IT MATTERS NOT ONE WHIT WHAT OPERATING SYSTEM YOU HAVE OR DON'T HAVE

You say you have two memory modules that were operating in dual channel.

You say that they will now only operate as single channel units.

Some motherboards have more than one mode of memory operation, which is set in bios.

Logic says check your bios settings.

You should be able to do this with the hard drive disconnected to separate the effects of bios and o/s.

Studio T

 

Have the same problem with boot. Presario SR5510F, Vista 32bit, original equip: 2GB total ram (2x1GB in two slots). Made no changes to original system, after about a year and a half began to have boot problems. While checking out possible causes, I discovered that the system will only load with one ram slot occupied. Works fine with either ram strip in either slot. Checked the ram, updated BIOS, no change. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions. I just want my 2GB ram back. Is there any reason one 2GB strip should not work in one slot? Thanks.