Member Avatar for Dannyx

Hi Folks,

I recently added 256MB RAM to have 512MB for the sake of it (Greed), Anyway when I booted it took me to a boot menu saying boot normaly, safe mode or last known good config, non of these work, they each just power off the machine and start again, I have already tried booting with just one dimm at a time in each slot, reseting the BIOS jumpers and taking out the CMOS battery. Any ideas people, any help would be much appritiated, By the way its DDR Ram,

Regards,

D.S

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Hardware problems that start after a memory change commonly come from compatibility, voltage/timing, or BIOS issues rather than brand alone. is right to flag matching modules, but also watch for module type (ECC/registered vs unbuffered), DIMM density/organization, SPD timings and voltage differences, BIOS support, and a marginal power supply or dirty contacts — any of those can produce intermittent POST/boot failures.

A compact troubleshooting checklist:

  • Run a bootable memory tester (for example, MemTest86) and let it complete several full passes to catch intermittent errors.
  • Isolate the fault by testing one stick at a time in the primary slot the manual recommends.
  • Power-cycle and discharge residual power before reseating DIMMs: unplug PSU, hold the power button 10–20 seconds, then reseat modules firmly.
  • Inspect and clean slot contacts (compressed air; gentle eraser on gold fingers if needed).
  • Confirm module labels for voltage and ECC/registered markings; if voltages differ, do not force settings unless the board supports the higher value and you know what you are changing.
  • If tests pass but instability persists, update the motherboard BIOS using the vendor’s official instructions.

Mixing makes often works, but matched kits remove many variables; if MemTest86 reports errors, the defective stick should be RMAed. For guidance on installation and module specs, see the vendor memory guides and SPD explanation.

References: MemTest86, , Serial Presence Detect (SPD) - Wikipedia

If the original posters want, the above steps will isolate whether the fault is a bad stick, an incompatibility, or something else; and raised the right starting points and these items fill in the rest.

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Member Avatar for jbennet

uhh ddr ram has to be instaleld in pairs of matching size, speed and pariyty, did you do this?

Member Avatar for Dannyx

UHH, I did do this, Size, speed and parity matched but makes differed, I just formated, lazy way, Ha, Thanks anyway.


:)

uhh ddr ram has to be instaleld in pairs of matching size, speed and pariyty, did you do this?

Member Avatar for jbennet

yeah, any problems after format?
makes dont matter i use different ones in all my familys pcs
whats your pc's ram and ram per slot limit?
in 1999 - 2002 era pc's its max 256 a slot, max total 512

Member Avatar for Dannyx

No problems after format, Just have to get it the way I like it now,

I didnt think it would make a differance but this time it did, We always use different makes at work and never a problem.

The RAM is 256 per slot, Max 512, but its a 2005 machine, Pretty basic but gets the job done.

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