From 2x2GB PC-10600 to 2x4GB PC-10600, screen artifacts and reboots

[eclyps19]

Nothing special about this setup. It's a stock Dell Vostro 3700. The only modification has been an upgrade of the RAM from 2x2GB to 2x4GB. Here's the exact model of RAM: http/www.amazon.com/Corsair-1333mhz-PC3-10666-204-pin-CMSO8GX3M2A1333C9/dp/B002YUF8ZG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1397285499&sr=8-3&keywords=corsair+value+select+8GB

Regardless of whether or not I have both sticks of the new RAM in, and regardless of the slots they are in, I get a full screen of nasty artifacts during the Windows boot and then it'll either freeze or restart. Once the old RAM is back in, even if it's only 1 stick, it all works great.

I can see one stick being bad, but both? Probably not. Is there something that I'm missing that would make this RAM incompatible with my laptop model?

 

[FloppyNacho]

See the start menu and search "msconfig" run that exe, on the tab labeled "Boot" check the box that says "No GUI boot" This is a longshot, but it just might work. Of course you'll have to do this when the computer has the 4GB kit in.

While installing the 8GB kit make absolutely certain you remove the battery and hold down the power button for at least 5 seconds to clear trace electricity from the board. This could be your entire issue.

I really hope this helps, laptops can be a pain-- hang in there

 

[ModernWarfare]

it can be a faulty ram you received. those artifacts and crashes happen due to that. replace them.

 

[FloppyNacho]

it can be a faulty ram you received. those artifacts and crashes happen due to that. replace them.

He's likely correct, even though it may seem out of sorts to get 2 bad ram sticks rather than one, they might have come from the same bad batch.

 

[eclyps19]

yeah. Setting No GUI Boot swapped the artifacting out for the standard BSOD dump. Ugh. Guess I'll have to send them off for a replacement... thanks guys.

 

[ModernWarfare]

good luck bro.

 

[eclyps19]

Out of curiosity, any idea why the Corsair memory finder wouldn't show the model that I'm using as compatible RAM? http/www.corsair.com/configurator/new_configurator_system_results.aspx?sc=&id=912516

 

[ModernWarfare]

not sure but it sure is compatible. if it wasnt the laptop wouldnt boot. not show artifacts and crashes.

 

[eclyps19]

Picked up a second set of the same RAM. Different store. Seems like I can get further into the booting process before it freaks out on me, but I still get nasty artifacts eventually... =\

 

[jarotech]

Hi, what I found, is on the site of Crucial, the memory for your laptop is powered by 1.35V. The RAM from Corsair that you said was compatible, need 1.5V. Maybe your problem is the Corsair RAM don't have enough voltage from the laptop.

 

[eclyps19]

Do you have a link that you could show me? The recommended RAM from Corsair's site is this: http/www.corsair.com/en-us/corsair-memory-4gb-ddr3-sodimm-memory-cmso4gx3m1a1333c9.html

The RAM that I'm currently using is this: http/www.corsair.com/en-us/cmso8gx3m2a1333c9

The specs both show 1.5v for the RAM. I haven't been able to find anything that shows what the voltage from the laptop is, and I can't see it in the BIOS...

 

[jarotech]

From the Crucial site : http/www.crucial.com/eu/upgrade/Dell-memory/Vostro+Notebooks/Vostro+3700-upgrades.html
You want to change from 2x2GB to 2x4GB, and the link for the RAM you are currently using are 2X4GB.

 

[eclyps19]

Interesting! I have a feeling that this is the answer that I was looking for - it makes sense that the ram works fine until it needs some juice to load the OS and then crashes out on me. There's a local shop that sells these (http/www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-10600-204-Pin-Notebook-CT2KIT51264BF1339/dp/B0067G1N34/), so I'll update you tomorrow! Keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks!

 

[eclyps19]

One more snippet of information. I probably should have provided this in my first post. Here's a screenshot of my CPU-Z SPD tab: http/i.imgur.com/ZOXn39Q.png

It's showing 1.5v for the Voltage. Still think it's worth trying a new set that can use both 1.35 and 1.5?

 

[jarotech]

I could not find exactly the voltage for the RAM, Dell service guide don't tell much about that. But why the RAM from the site of Crucial indicate 1.35V?

 

[eclyps19]

I have no clue. Everything else that I am finding indicates 1.5v. How frustrating... Barring the voltage difference, which may or may not exist, I cannot find a single difference between the RAM that I tried and the Dell recommended RAM (which is out of stock): http/accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A6776455&mfgpid=206118

 

[jarotech]

The RAM Dell suggests, has a voltage of 1.5V. So, Crucial must be wrong in their recommendation. Sorry about the confusion.