RazMan
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| posted on 28/3/08 at 10:32 AM |
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Strange Memory Problem
I bought 2 Hynix 1Gb modules and installed them both in my ThinkPad T42. Although bios correctly reports 2Gb is installed, Vista freezes on bootup.
I therefore tested the memory with Windows Memory Diagnostic tool – each 1Gb stick passed separately but failed the test when both were installed.
I have checked that my bios is the latest version and the T42 should accept 2 x 1Gb modules without a problem.
I have tried every combination of slot & module and also substituted a 512Mb stick for one of the 1Gb ones for testing purposes which passed with
flying colours.
1Gb + 512Mb = ok
512Mb + 1Gb = ok
1Gb + 1Gb = Failed
Is it possible that these modules have a conflict with each other?
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 28/3/08 at 10:41 AM |
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Have you tried another make of 1Gb stick? Probably can't use two of the same make for some unfathomable reason.
Oh wait! I see the problem, you mention the word – Vista 
my dad got a new lappy with Vista for work none of his old programs work on it PMSL
[Edited on 28/3/08 by Mr Whippy]
Fame is when your old car is plastered all over the internet
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vinny1275
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| posted on 28/3/08 at 11:06 AM |
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They need to be identical specs. If one is a different speed or latency (CAS) rating, they will cause you problems. Generally tho, the machine will
beep at you and refuse to boot if the memory modules are mismatched.
If you let it boot with just 1 module in, does the event viewer give any clues as to why it failed to boot - Drivers / services failing or
something?
HTH
Vince
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madmandegge
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| posted on 28/3/08 at 11:33 AM |
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Is it possible that as you're running two sticks together, they're running dual channel and there's an issue there? Not something
I've come across I must admit, but who knows.
You could try running memtest, see http://www.memtest.org/#downiso on each individual stick, to see if there's one faulty stick. Just
download a prebuilt ISO, then stick the CD in and boot from it, I'd leave it for at least one complete "pass".
I had a very infrequent issue when running 4GB, 2 lots of 2x1GB dual channel, where windows seemed to freeze up, but recover itself, turned out to be
a faulty stick in one of the pairs.
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Duncan_P
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| posted on 28/3/08 at 11:36 AM |
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I appologise if this sounds stupid but.... are they in the correct matching slots. If there is room for 4 memory sticks then its usual for the the
matching slots to be the ones next to each other (i.e. AABB). However this isn't always the case so its worth checking the manual.
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madmandegge
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| posted on 28/3/08 at 11:44 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Duncan_P
If there is room for 4 memory sticks then its usual for the the matching slots to be the ones next to each other (i.e. AABB).
Not to answer for RazMan, but I'd assume as it's a ThinkPad it'll only have two RAM slots? Feel free to correct me!
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BenB
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| posted on 28/3/08 at 12:01 PM |
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If you have mis-matching sticks normally the MB will pull the better one down to the specs of the weaker stick.
I'd second a memtest ISO.
It's worth checking that they're low density sticks. There's lots of temptingly cheap high density sticks going round that most
computers won't work properly with. Then again, often if you use high density the computer crashes very early on.
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RazMan
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| posted on 28/3/08 at 12:17 PM |
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That's the strange thing - they are identical spec modules bought from the same company at the same time - definitely DDR and not the cheaper
DDR2.
I used the Windoze memory diagnostic which boots from CD but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to double check with memtest.
The Thinkpad only has 2 slots so it's hard to get it wrong really, strange that a 512Mb and 1Gb (both of them) work together - you would expect
that would be iffy at best.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 28/3/08 at 12:34 PM |
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Come back old friend...all is forgiven! 
 
Rescued attachment c64_sys2.jpg
Fame is when your old car is plastered all over the internet
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Davey D
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| posted on 28/3/08 at 01:32 PM |
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Are they dual, or single sided modules, as some machine dont like having 2x double sided modules etc
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RazMan
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| posted on 28/3/08 at 02:07 PM |
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Both double sided modules - the same as the original 512Mb one that was in there.
This is getting wierd - I have just tested the bejesus out of all of the modules using Memtest and everything passes - even when both 1Gb are fitted
together!
Vista still refuses to boot up and just freezes after the intial scrolling logo thingy - just black screen  The event log doesn't
give me any news either
[Edited on 28-3-08 by RazMan]
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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madmandegge
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| posted on 28/3/08 at 03:10 PM |
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Is it possible that this is an issue with the sticks running dual channel and Vista?
am googling it now, nothing obvious...
edit - rather large thread at
http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?s=c74a3df0763c77154ffe39a8ec97f93f&showtopic=33671&pid=352336&st=260&#entry352336
with what appears to be the same issue, no solution offered however
someone here mentions the rather odd solution of a new card reader driver being needed!
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1280137
have you tried hammering F8 - then safe mode to boot? vista still has safe mode right? 
have you got two sticks of 512mb by any chance?
[Edited on 28/3/08 by madmandegge]
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RazMan
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| posted on 28/3/08 at 04:26 PM |
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Hmmmm I'm not sure about the dual channel thing but I will read through that thread (14 pages ) and see if anything jumps out at me - it seems
to be a video driver thing so maybe I could try a temporary disable of the driver to see if that makes a difference.
I've tried getting into safe mode and actually acheived it on one occasion .... then it froze again.
Retested using the Windows Diagnostic Tool (which boots from DOS like Memtest) and it got stuck at 18% of the test routine.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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RazMan
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| posted on 28/3/08 at 04:59 PM |
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Just tried disabling the driver - still no good. Methinks an email to Lenovo Tech Support is called for now.
I still can't fathom why Memtest and Windows Diagnostic can both give different results.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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Schrodinger
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| posted on 29/3/08 at 10:05 PM |
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I take it you are certain that your laptop will support 2Mb memory?
Keith
Aviemore
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madmandegge
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| posted on 31/3/08 at 03:15 PM |
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Had any luck with this?
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RazMan
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| posted on 1/4/08 at 08:18 AM |
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It's going to be one of those problems that everyone is going to deny being responsible for.
I emailed both the memory supplier and the laptop supplier - each say that it has nothing to do with them
Personally I am convinced it is the memory but I think I will just live with 1.5Gb of memory and see how it goes. Vista seems to be ok with it
at the moment.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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Schrodinger
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| posted on 1/4/08 at 06:52 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by RazMan
It's going to be one of those problems that everyone is going to deny being responsible for.
I emailed both the memory supplier and the laptop supplier - each say that it has nothing to do with them
Personally I am convinced it is the memory but I think I will just live with 1.5Gb of memory and see how it goes. Vista seems to be ok with it
at the moment.
You could try buying some memory from your laptop supplier and see if that works. Might be a bit expensive way though.
Keith
Aviemore
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Grunty
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| posted on 2/4/08 at 07:22 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by vinny1275
They need to be identical specs. If one is a different speed or latency (CAS) rating, they will cause you problems.
They don't need to be identical. They'll all just run at the speed of the slowest stick/pair.
OP, go into BIOS and set the RAM voltages manually.
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RazMan
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| posted on 2/4/08 at 08:05 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Grunty
OP, go into BIOS and set the RAM voltages manually.
Excellent idea except that IBM do not have a bios with any user editable functions.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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Grunty
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| posted on 2/4/08 at 02:23 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by RazMan
quote:
Originally posted by Grunty
OP, go into BIOS and set the RAM voltages manually.
Excellent idea except that IBM do not have a bios with any user editable functions.
FRIGGERS!
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