RAM issue with 64-bit Windows 7 Pro RTM
- Hey,I'm having a helluva problem with Windows x64 when using 2 sticks of RAM. I currently have 2 brand new 2GB Kingston RAM sticks on an MSI G31M V2 motherboard (compatible according to their tech sheets).I recently upgraded from XP 32-bit with a clean install of Windows 7 Pro 64-bit RTM. It wouldn't work, so I tried installing the 32-bit version instead. No problem there, hardware worked without a problem, all went very well. I then read somewhere that people were having RAM issues, so I tried installing 64-bit again after taking out 1 stick of RAM and it worked fine. I tried both sticks individually in each socket, and it makes no difference.So 64-bit installed and it's all working beautifully. However, if I try and put the second stick back in Windows seems to churn into slow-motion mode. Booting takes over 10 minutes, and when it finishes logging in and plays the starting tune it sounds like it's being played in slow motion. Everything takes forever to load up. It clearly works but extremely slowly.Any ideas?Specs:MSI G31M V2Intel Core 2 Duo E73002x2GB Kinston 800MHz DDR2 SDRAMNVIDIA GeForce 9800GTX320GB SATA HD
Answers
Hi draco33333,
According to the information showed on the MSI site, your Kingston RAM is not on the list. I agree with Rick Dee’s idea. The issue can be caused due to the Kingston RAM stick is not fully compatible with the MSI G31M V2 motherboard.
Please also double check the Attention information regarding dual channel on the MSI site:
1. It cannot be activated if you only install 1 or 3 memory modules.
2. If 2 or 4 memory modules are installed, we suggest that you use the same memory modules (it means same size, brand, and speed).
Please refer to the table 1 to activate dual channel memory technology.
Please note that the restriction and requirement of 64 bit OS is more strict than the 32 bit system. As the clean installation of 64 bit Win7 was failed, we can see the issue is mostly caused due to the hardware factor.
If your RAM sticks are still under warranty, you can replace the ones which are on the Recommended Memory list on the MSI site. Upgrading BIOS to the latest version might help as well.
I hope the above information is helpful.
Good Luck!
Nina
- Marked As Answer bydraco33333 Tuesday, September 22, 2009 1:53 PM
All Replies
- Try the Memory Diagnostic Tool (reboots and runs before Windows loads), or the utility from www.memtest.org.
That will determine whether your mainboard like your RAM. - I have heard of instances where people have had to remove and reinsert their motherboard batteries to get the added memory to to be recognized by Vista...have no idea why and not sure if those concerned MSI boards or not, but it is fairly simple to do (but MAY require you to add/delete/change some BIOS entries afterwards). If you elect to try it and it works, post back and let others know for sure.
- I just started running the MDT on the extended version infinitely to see how it goes. However, the motherboard and RAM datasheets indicate that they're compatible, so I doubt this is the problem. Also, both sticks ran without a problem on Windows XP 32-bit and Windows 7 32-bit, so I really don't think it's a inter-hardware compatibility issue, but more of an issue with Windows 7.
- Proposed As Answer byMike Meacham Sunday, September 20, 2009 11:57 AM
- Unproposed As Answer bydraco33333 Sunday, September 20, 2009 12:55 PM
- Remember, 32 bit systems cannot address more then 3 gb of ram. Your old system couldn't really "see" all 4 gb you installed.
- After many hours and successful tests it's clear (yet not 100%) that the hardware is not the issue. I never really suspected that it was, but had to give it a thorough test.
EDIT: I also want to add that this is the second set of RAM sticks I've tried and I'm having the same result. This should help to clarify that it is not a hardware issue - at least as far as RAM is concerned. - I reset the CMOS battery and all the settings. Still no good. Thanks anyway.
After many hours and successful tests it's clear (yet not 100%) that the hardware is not the issue. I never really suspected that it was, but had to give it a thorough test.
EDIT: I also want to add that this is the second set of RAM sticks I've tried and I'm having the same result. This should help to clarify that it is not a hardware issue - at least as far as RAM is concerned.
Well, I can guarantee it's not a Windows problem. I have 2 Biostar TA770A2+ motherboards with 8GB each running Win 7 x64 Pro and all is well. 64-bit Windows is much more demanding of the DRAM and any number of quirks in the hardware can cause the problems you have.
Have you cleared the CMOS to reset the BIOS to it's default settings?Check if you have the latest BIOS installed, if not, upgrade it and test it again.
If it still does not work or you use the latest BIOS already then try to increase the RAM voltage in your BIOS. I had a Abit mainboard which run fine with one Kingston stick. However, as soon as I put a second DIMM in it brought errors. With my mainboard it was a known fact that it gives the RAM less voltage than it's set in the BIOS, so I had to increase the RAM voltage (to the max :) and it still runs fine since years).
It's possible that either your mainboard does not deliver a high enough or constant voltage or the voltage which is set but a few mV below or that the RAM needs more voltage to work properly.
So try to increase the voltage and check if it works. If not, increase it further and check again.I reset the CMOS battery and all the settings. Still no good. Thanks anyway.
Hi,
:)Try invert the modules into the slots, or use one at a time switching them see if any difference.
It happens somehow the memory is shared with graphic adapter?- To add to Fraenky001's recommendation, I'd also try manually setting the RAM timings (in addition to the voltage) in the BIOS (check with Kingston for their recommended settings.)
Some boards just have issues autoconfiguring 4+GB RAM and/or all slots populated.
-Chris
[If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.] draco33333
See: http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=proddesc&maincat_no=1&cat2_no=170&prod_no=1294Specs:MSI G31M V2Intel Core 2 Duo E73002x2GB Kinston 800MHz DDR2 SDRAMNVIDIA GeForce 9800GTX320GB SATA HD
Your memory is not listed in the Recommended Memory @ http://www.msi.com/uploads/test_report/TR10_1294.pdf
I know from dealing with MSI that this is an extremely critical point and MSI Tech Support will not hesitate to state that you must have recommended DRAM installed before they will discuss any problems of this type. I had a situation a couple of years ago with an MSI MB that would run XP 32-bit with no problem but would not run XP x64 with the DRAM I had in it. Since it was DRAM that was not on their recommeded list Tech Support would only repeat theatmy DRAM was not approved and would not talk to me about the memory problem.
So, don't blame Windows until you have MSI recommended DRAM in your computer. It's a hardware fault because your memory is not 100% compatible with your MSI MB.- draco33333,
It appears from the manual that memory slot 1 & 3 would be the location to be used for Dual Channel. (Different colors in the manual pictures, which seems strange) Fist slot closest to CPU and and then the third.(I know, you may know this ;-) )
Enter the BIOS after installing the second stick to confirm that the BIOS recognizes the 4gb. Tab to load optimized defaults select Y and save and exit.
Let it boot. What's the result?
If no, try installing the BIOS version 5.5.
You will also need to update the nVidia drivers for 64-bit. Boot into safemode with networking (F8 and select) and update the display adapter drivers from device manager and reboot.
ASUS P4PE-P4 Extreme 3.4gHz-2gb G.Skill PC3200-XPSP3:55gb-Win7RC:17gb-DATA:500gb-ASUS N6800GT Hi draco33333,
According to the information showed on the MSI site, your Kingston RAM is not on the list. I agree with Rick Dee’s idea. The issue can be caused due to the Kingston RAM stick is not fully compatible with the MSI G31M V2 motherboard.
Please also double check the Attention information regarding dual channel on the MSI site:
1. It cannot be activated if you only install 1 or 3 memory modules.
2. If 2 or 4 memory modules are installed, we suggest that you use the same memory modules (it means same size, brand, and speed).
Please refer to the table 1 to activate dual channel memory technology.
Please note that the restriction and requirement of 64 bit OS is more strict than the 32 bit system. As the clean installation of 64 bit Win7 was failed, we can see the issue is mostly caused due to the hardware factor.
If your RAM sticks are still under warranty, you can replace the ones which are on the Recommended Memory list on the MSI site. Upgrading BIOS to the latest version might help as well.
I hope the above information is helpful.
Good Luck!
Nina
- Marked As Answer bydraco33333 Tuesday, September 22, 2009 1:53 PM
- My RAM wasn't on the motherboard's recommended list because it is newer than the MB. If you look at the datasheet for the RAM, it lists my MB. They are perfectly compatible.That aside, I finally got it to work with what I think is essentially a BIOS re-installation. According to the MSI utilities I had the latest BIOS version. I contacted MSI and they gave me a file to download from their special support FTP site to update my BIOS. I did exactly what they told me, the BIOS still states that it's the same version, but now everything runs beautifully :-)Yay for MSI!
My RAM wasn't on the motherboard's recommended list because it is newer than the MB. If you look at the datasheet for the RAM, it lists my MB. They are perfectly compatible.
That aside, I finally got it to work with what I think is essentially a BIOS re-installation. According to the MSI utilities I had the latest BIOS version. I contacted MSI and they gave me a file to download from their special support FTP site to update my BIOS. I did exactly what they told me, the BIOS still states that it's the same version, but now everything runs beautifully :-)Yay for MSI!
So, it really was a hardware problem and not a Windows 7 problem?- Of course it was a hardware problem. Well, a BIOS problem, specifically.
How dare you (or I) sully the gracious name of Windows 7!
:-)
Seriously, though, it's an amazing OS! - I have the same issue. do you have a link to the special support FTP site?
- Hi Draco, Nina Liu is right...I also went on Msi site and your kingston ram is not there! When you buy ram, be sure that the one that you want is checked in all of the three boxes on the memory compatible charts to avoid any compatibility issues. Good luck!
- Well. I also have problem with bloody kingston ram
I recently upgrade to wondows 7 64bit and I been use 2GB samsung memory with dual channal which had no problems at all.
And 2days ago I bought kingston PC6400 1GB X2 (KVR800D2N6K2)
It looked work well but when I run some programs like Itunes,Virus Diagnose tool,or WOW then blue screens pops up and down...
I went to the shop they checked memory but they couldn't find any problems so I can't change or refund this damn memory.
I am sure kingston memory has problem with 64bit windows7 because I tried almost everything that I could so now I know
this ram work perfectly with other systems like windows XP but 64bit windows7.
I am soooo unhappy with this fuuucccking crappy ram. - hooootdog, I'll give you the same suggestion that I earlier gave to draco3333:
check your RAM vendor's site (in your case both Samsung's and Kingston's sites) for their recommened timing and voltage settings.
If they're the same, manually set them in the BIOS. If they're different, please post both of their recommendations, and we can give you more guidance in that department.
FWIW:
both my desktop and my Media Center server are both running Kingston RAM (HyperX line, in both cases.) The desktop has a 2x1GB kit (DDR2/1066), the server has 2 2x1GB kits (both DDR2/800, different models purchased over 2 years apart.) Neither box has ever BSoD'ed (and, the server was built in March 2007.)
Did the shop say what they checked the RAM with?
-Chris
[If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.] - hooootdog,
If you have moved from a 32-bit OS check your BIOS settings
-try setting the memory timings to auto and look for an advanced chipset setting the enables memory remap. That must be enabled for a 64-bit OS if it is available as a setting.
(You didn't mention which motherboard that you are using, it would be helpful)
You can also try changing the BIOS settings to restore the default settings.
Does your motherboard support PC6400? (You didn't mention which motherboard that you are using, it would be helpful)
Have you considered application incompatibility? You absolutely must have the latest version of iTunes. I don't know about those others. Check for Win 7 versions. If you have no issues until you launch an application, why would you suspect hardware?
Have you tried running the Troubleshooter Tool from the Action Center? That may identify an issue. - I had the same issue, but with an Intel board........I rolled back to an earlier version of the Bios, and alls good....8gb recognized by system and Win7, 5.83gb useable.......
