HP 550 wont boot after RAM upgrade

[aquaman]

I have a HP 550 Laptop with XP Pro OS installed. I doubled the RAM from 2gb to 4gb, but when I reboot the laptop says to save changes, so it recognizes a memory change, but then it wont boot into windows and hangs up between the loading screen and the welcome screen. There is no problem with the memory module, it is compatable and works on its own and in both slots, so both slots are good to go too. It just wont boot with 4gb of ram.

 

I have read lots of things about the BIOS wont let you upgrade to 4gb, but HP say there should be no problems at all. Bios version is KBC version 12.00.

 

Laptop has Intel Celeron R 550 @ 2Ghz, currently 2 gb memory and 160gb hard drive.

 

Any help would be great?

 

Thanks

[Armageddon]

Hi aquaman is the laptop operating system 32bit or 64bit and secondly could you run this tool just to confirm the Ram compatibility Memory Scanner this will tell you the max the motherboard will hold

[aquaman]

It's 32 bit and it's capable of holding 4gb

 

Thanks

[KenB]

Hi

 

Just to confirm:

I have Vista 32 Bit with 4GB RAM.

The 4GB is recognised ( Start ....right click on "Computer" > Properties ) but only about 3.5 GB will be utilised by the operating system.

The other 0.5 GB may be used elsewhere ( video card for instance )

 

Try the Crucial scanner and see what comes back from that ( put the old RAM in )

click here

[aquaman]

XP Pro with 2GB of ram (Currently) which runs fine.

When upgraded to 4gb ram, the start screen says that it recognises a hardware change, and the choices are given to save or discard. I choose SAVE changes.

Then the laptop won't boot and freezes.

I've done the Crucial scan as I have already said and it it capable of 4gb ram!

[ukbobboy]

Laptop/Desktop Memory Modules

 

Hi aquaman

 

Just have a small point to make, which you may or may not know about, did you know that just because a memory module fits in your computer that does not mean it will work or is compatible.

 

Let me explain, when you install memory in a computer it has to be of the same type and speed that is compatiblewith the motherboard.

 

Now, you say the 2GB memory module works fine but the 4GB module doesn't (or is it an additional 2GB memory module). Anyway, the 4GB module (or additional 2GB) has to be the same make, model and type as the original 2GB memory module, your 4GB of memory should then work in your laptop.

 

Hope this helps

 

 

UK Bob

[aquaman]

Yes, thanks for that, but it is compatible (Exactly the same) and ordered through 'Crucial' after the system scan. Is it just me or do people not read the previous info?! No offence, but as I've said b4:

 

I did a system scan using 'crucial.com/uk', which stated what type of module I needed for the laptop. I ordered the exact module as recommended. Crucial and HP state that the HP 550 accepts 4gb ram. There is only one module currently fitted a 2gb ram module. I fitted the the new 2gb module in the empty slot to get 4gb ram, but the laptop won't boot as I've stated above.

 

The new module is exactly the same and works on its own in either slot as does the older module, so both modules are fine and so are both slots.

 

If anyone has an solution please respond

Edited November 21, 2012 by aquaman

[KenB]

as I have already said and it it capable of 4gb ram!

Sometime members tell us one thing and it turns out later that what we were told was incorrect.

It is best to double-check.

 

Is it just me or do people not read the previous info?!

Sometimes it is easier to ask rather than read the whole thread again - especially if members are pressed for time.

It would also help if you could reply a little quicker ( I realise that this may not be possible )

4 or 5 days between posts mean that whoever has replied to you will have forgotten what has already been posted - and it takes time to read through a thread again :)

 

Try resetting the BIOS to defaults.

Take the CMOS battery out - leave for a couple of minutes - replace with the + on top.

 

What is the make and spec of the 2 RAM modules that you have ?

I am wondering if the RAM voltage is set correctly in the BIOS.