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    Upgraded to 3 gb ram, computer boots but Windows won't start

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by ithryn, Mar 7, 2012.

  1. ithryn

    ithryn Newbie

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    Hi, stupid question here. I upgraded my ol' Sony Vaio VGN-AR series laptop running Windows XP from 2 gb RAM (2 x 1 gb sticks) to 3 gb (2 + 1 gb sticks). Now the laptop boots up normally and the first Windows bootup screen runs, but instead of the normal user login screen it's just black. Periodically I hear sounds like it's running. Returning to the paired 1 gb sticks returns everything to normal.

    I googled this and apparently old motherboards don't tolerate unpaired RAM sticks. Other sites talk about a BIOS update, but I had trouble finding an update for this laptop. However it looks to me like the computer is fine with the unpaired RAM, but the OS is not. Is this correct?

    What do I do? Should I just cough up the other $30 for another 2 gb RAM stick? I had 2 gb before, is it really worth it?

    Chris
     
    ithryn, Mar 7, 2012
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  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The OS wouldn't have any problem with unpaired sticks... What model number do you have, exactly? Did you try running a MemTest86+ test on it for a few hours? That new stick might be defective.

    It's possible, again depending on model number, that you have an Intel chipset that is limited to 2GB of RAM (like my old Dell D430 back in the day). When it tried to boot with more than 2GB it too did not boot past POST.
     
    Greg, Mar 7, 2012
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  3. James D

    James D Notebook Prophet

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    1. as was stated is running memtest86+ on single 2gb tick from usb.
    2. run memtest with 2+1 gb sticks.
     
    James D, Mar 7, 2012
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  4. ithryn

    ithryn Newbie

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    I'm pretty certain it gets past the POST (which is invisible to me under the Vaio logo) because it initiates Windows. XP starts up until the login screen.

    By model # do you mean the laptop? It's a VGN-AR270 with a 945 chipset I believe.

    I'll try the memtest, however, though I guess I'll have to usb boot if I can?
     
    ithryn, Mar 8, 2012
    #4