Vista 64 - Incomplete booting after increasing RAM

October 24, 2007

I increaased the RAM on my system from 1GB to 3 GB. The sticks are 2 1 GB

sticks and 2 512 MB sticks. As long as I keep the 2- 1GB sticks installed

Vista will not Boot completely. First It will take about 15 minutes to get

to the user selection window. Then after selection the boot process will

only go to the opening window with a gray portion showing where the task bar

would be located and the rest of the screen black. I will get a dialog

stating the Windows Explorer is not responding. It also offers two choices

Close the program

Wait for the program to respond.

I first tried to wait for the program to respond. After a half an hour I

figured it wasn't going to so I rebooted and went through the tedious boot

process again. When I got the Dialog again I selected close the program.

This time, a few seconds later, a still picture of my usual moving pictire

screen appeared. However nothing else could be done.

I did remove one of the 1 - GB sticks and the system seemed to boot

normally. I also checked if the BIOS recognized the new memory and it did.

The problem appears to begin after I get the initial moving bar at the

beginning of the windows boot process.

October 24, 2007

Re: Vista 64 - Incomplete booting after increasing RAM

Did you try it with just the two 1 GB memory sticks? Do check the

motherboard manual, either your hard copy or on-line, to assure you have

them in the correct slots.

Tom

MSMVP Windows 1998-2007

"Jim" <Jim@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:6A40A1EA-16F6-4C80-9BDD-73A2EC8E4D72@microsoft.com...

>I increaased the RAM on my system from 1GB to 3 GB. The sticks are 2 1

>GB

> sticks and 2 512 MB sticks. As long as I keep the 2- 1GB sticks

> installed

> Vista will not Boot completely. First It will take about 15 minutes to

> get

> to the user selection window. Then after selection the boot process

> will

> only go to the opening window with a gray portion showing where the

> task bar

> would be located and the rest of the screen black. I will get a dialog

> stating the Windows Explorer is not responding. It also offers two

> choices

> Close the program

> Wait for the program to respond.

>

> I first tried to wait for the program to respond. After a half an hour

> I

> figured it wasn't going to so I rebooted and went through the tedious

> boot

> process again. When I got the Dialog again I selected close the

> program.

> This time, a few seconds later, a still picture of my usual moving

> pictire

> screen appeared. However nothing else could be done.

>

> I did remove one of the 1 - GB sticks and the system seemed to boot

> normally. I also checked if the BIOS recognized the new memory and it

> did.

> The problem appears to begin after I get the initial moving bar at the

> beginning of the windows boot process.

October 24, 2007

Re: Vista 64 - Incomplete booting after increasing RAM

My first thoughts are whether the RAM is 'matched' or not.

Virtually all the newer motherboards currently require that

all the RAM installed be 'matched' and the best way to

accomplish that is to make sure all the modules are from the

same manufacturer and they all have the same timing specs.

It usually doesn't cause problems being different sizes,

i.e. 1 GB & 512 MB modules, but when you start mixing speeds

and/or timing you can end up in situations where your

computer won't "act right."

Jim wrote:

> I increased the RAM on my system from 1GB to 3 GB. The sticks are 2 1 GB

> sticks and 2 512 MB sticks. As long as I keep the 2- 1GB sticks installed

> Vista will not Boot completely. First It will take about 15 minutes to get

> to the user selection window. Then after selection the boot process will

> only go to the opening window with a gray portion showing where the task bar

> would be located and the rest of the screen black. I will get a dialog

> stating the Windows Explorer is not responding. It also offers two choices

> Close the program

> Wait for the program to respond.

>

> I first tried to wait for the program to respond. After a half an hour I

> figured it wasn't going to so I rebooted and went through the tedious boot

> process again. When I got the Dialog again I selected close the program.

> This time, a few seconds later, a still picture of my usual moving pictire

> screen appeared. However nothing else could be done.

>

> I did remove one of the 1 - GB sticks and the system seemed to boot

> normally. I also checked if the BIOS recognized the new memory and it did.

> The problem appears to begin after I get the initial moving bar at the

> beginning of the windows boot process.

October 24, 2007

Re: Vista 64 - Incomplete booting after increasing RAM

Yes I tried it with only the Gigabyte modules as well as each of the modules

with the 512 MB modules. I also tried them in different slots. The MB

doesn't care what slot is used as long as there is a module in at least one.

The problem is in Vista since the BIOS recognizes the memory amounts. Things

don't get slow until Vista starts to boot. Then all bets are off.

"Tom Ferguson" wrote:

> Did you try it with just the two 1 GB memory sticks? Do check the

> motherboard manual, either your hard copy or on-line, to assure you have

> them in the correct slots.

>

> Tom

> MSMVP Windows 1998-2007

>

> "Jim" <Jim@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:6A40A1EA-16F6-4C80-9BDD-73A2EC8E4D72@microsoft.com...

> >I increaased the RAM on my system from 1GB to 3 GB. The sticks are 2 1

> >GB

> > sticks and 2 512 MB sticks. As long as I keep the 2- 1GB sticks

> > installed

> > Vista will not Boot completely. First It will take about 15 minutes to

> > get

> > to the user selection window. Then after selection the boot process

> > will

> > only go to the opening window with a gray portion showing where the

> > task bar

> > would be located and the rest of the screen black. I will get a dialog

> > stating the Windows Explorer is not responding. It also offers two

> > choices

> > Close the program

> > Wait for the program to respond.

> >

> > I first tried to wait for the program to respond. After a half an hour

> > I

> > figured it wasn't going to so I rebooted and went through the tedious

> > boot

> > process again. When I got the Dialog again I selected close the

> > program.

> > This time, a few seconds later, a still picture of my usual moving

> > pictire

> > screen appeared. However nothing else could be done.

> >

> > I did remove one of the 1 - GB sticks and the system seemed to boot

> > normally. I also checked if the BIOS recognized the new memory and it

> > did.

> > The problem appears to begin after I get the initial moving bar at the

> > beginning of the windows boot process.

>

October 24, 2007

Re: Vista 64 - Incomplete booting after increasing RAM

Am not sure if the diferent Sizes or manufacturers are the problem. The BIOS

recognizes the memory amount. If I use the 2 - 512 MB sticks and one of the

1 GB sticks Vista will boot alright. If I move this combination into

diffrent slots Vista will boot. The timing parameters of all of the modules

are the same. The system just won't seem to boot when I insert 2 of the 1 GB

modules along with the 2 512MB modules. Think I'll install a Linux Partition

on this system and see if the problem pesists.

"Theo" wrote:

> My first thoughts are whether the RAM is 'matched' or not.

> Virtually all the newer motherboards currently require that

> all the RAM installed be 'matched' and the best way to

> accomplish that is to make sure all the modules are from the

> same manufacturer and they all have the same timing specs.

> It usually doesn't cause problems being different sizes,

> i.e. 1 GB & 512 MB modules, but when you start mixing speeds

> and/or timing you can end up in situations where your

> computer won't "act right."

>

> Jim wrote:

> > I increased the RAM on my system from 1GB to 3 GB. The sticks are 2 1 GB

> > sticks and 2 512 MB sticks. As long as I keep the 2- 1GB sticks installed

> > Vista will not Boot completely. First It will take about 15 minutes to get

> > to the user selection window. Then after selection the boot process will

> > only go to the opening window with a gray portion showing where the task bar

> > would be located and the rest of the screen black. I will get a dialog

> > stating the Windows Explorer is not responding. It also offers two choices

> > Close the program

> > Wait for the program to respond.

> >

> > I first tried to wait for the program to respond. After a half an hour I

> > figured it wasn't going to so I rebooted and went through the tedious boot

> > process again. When I got the Dialog again I selected close the program.

> > This time, a few seconds later, a still picture of my usual moving pictire

> > screen appeared. However nothing else could be done.

> >

> > I did remove one of the 1 - GB sticks and the system seemed to boot

> > normally. I also checked if the BIOS recognized the new memory and it did.

> > The problem appears to begin after I get the initial moving bar at the

> > beginning of the windows boot process.

>

October 25, 2007

Re: Vista 64 - Incomplete booting after increasing RAM

I just looked at one of my owner's manuals and it also

cautions that ALL the modules must be the "same type and

density" or instability may happen. And all three of my

motherboards recommend using modules all from the same

manufacturer.

When you have 3 modules your memory if being used in the

single channel mode and the differences are not critical.

When you have all 4 modules the memory is in the

dual-channel mode and ALL parameters of the memory are VERY

critical for it to function properly.

The memory being recognized by the BIOS does NOT ensure it

will function properly with any operating system. It just

means it recognizes the memory - nothing else.

Jim wrote:

> Am not sure if the different Sizes or manufacturers are the problem. The BIOS

> recognizes the memory amount. If I use the 2 - 512 MB sticks and one of the

> 1 GB sticks Vista will boot alright. If I move this combination into

> different slots Vista will boot. The timing parameters of all of the modules

> are the same. The system just won't seem to boot when I insert 2 of the 1 GB

> modules along with the 2 512MB modules. Think I'll install a Linux Partition

> on this system and see if the problem pesrists.

>

> "Theo" wrote:

>

>> My first thoughts are whether the RAM is 'matched' or not.

>> Virtually all the newer motherboards currently require that

>> all the RAM installed be 'matched' and the best way to

>> accomplish that is to make sure all the modules are from the

>> same manufacturer and they all have the same timing specs.

>> It usually doesn't cause problems being different sizes,

>> i.e. 1 GB & 512 MB modules, but when you start mixing speeds

>> and/or timing you can end up in situations where your

>> computer won't "act right."

>>

>> Jim wrote:

>>> I increased the RAM on my system from 1GB to 3 GB. The sticks are 2 1 GB

>>> sticks and 2 512 MB sticks. As long as I keep the 2- 1GB sticks installed

>>> Vista will not Boot completely. First It will take about 15 minutes to get

>>> to the user selection window. Then after selection the boot process will

>>> only go to the opening window with a gray portion showing where the task bar

>>> would be located and the rest of the screen black. I will get a dialog

>>> stating the Windows Explorer is not responding. It also offers two choices

>>> Close the program

>>> Wait for the program to respond.

>>>

>>> I first tried to wait for the program to respond. After a half an hour I

>>> figured it wasn't going to so I rebooted and went through the tedious boot

>>> process again. When I got the Dialog again I selected close the program.

>>> This time, a few seconds later, a still picture of my usual moving pictire

>>> screen appeared. However nothing else could be done.

>>>

>>> I did remove one of the 1 - GB sticks and the system seemed to boot

>>> normally. I also checked if the BIOS recognized the new memory and it did.

>>> The problem appears to begin after I get the initial moving bar at the

>>> beginning of the windows boot process.

October 25, 2007

Re: Vista 64 - Incomplete booting after increasing RAM

The other thing to check is what memory is recommended by

the manufacturer of the motherboard. I have a MSI K8T Neo2

board that will not boot with 2 1gb sticks of Patriot DRAM,

but has not problem with Kingston which is one of the MSI

recommended modules. The Patriot works flawlessly in my

Asus A8V & Asus A8V-XE boards.

Your problem is caused by the memory combination you are using.

You can continue to beat your head against a brick wall if

you want, but I guarantee it will feel really good when you

stop!!

Jim wrote:

> Am not sure if the diferent Sizes or manufacturers are the problem. The BIOS

> recognizes the memory amount. If I use the 2 - 512 MB sticks and one of the

> 1 GB sticks Vista will boot alright. If I move this combination into

> diffrent slots Vista will boot. The timing parameters of all of the modules

> are the same. The system just won't seem to boot when I insert 2 of the 1 GB

> modules along with the 2 512MB modules. Think I'll install a Linux Partition

> on this system and see if the problem pesists.

>

> "Theo" wrote:

>

>> My first thoughts are whether the RAM is 'matched' or not.

>> Virtually all the newer motherboards currently require that

>> all the RAM installed be 'matched' and the best way to

>> accomplish that is to make sure all the modules are from the

>> same manufacturer and they all have the same timing specs.

>> It usually doesn't cause problems being different sizes,

>> i.e. 1 GB & 512 MB modules, but when you start mixing speeds

>> and/or timing you can end up in situations where your

>> computer won't "act right."

>>

>> Jim wrote:

>>> I increased the RAM on my system from 1GB to 3 GB. The sticks are 2 1 GB

>>> sticks and 2 512 MB sticks. As long as I keep the 2- 1GB sticks installed

>>> Vista will not Boot completely. First It will take about 15 minutes to get

>>> to the user selection window. Then after selection the boot process will

>>> only go to the opening window with a gray portion showing where the task bar

>>> would be located and the rest of the screen black. I will get a dialog

>>> stating the Windows Explorer is not responding. It also offers two choices

>>> Close the program

>>> Wait for the program to respond.

>>>

>>> I first tried to wait for the program to respond. After a half an hour I

>>> figured it wasn't going to so I rebooted and went through the tedious boot

>>> process again. When I got the Dialog again I selected close the program.

>>> This time, a few seconds later, a still picture of my usual moving pictire

>>> screen appeared. However nothing else could be done.

>>>

>>> I did remove one of the 1 - GB sticks and the system seemed to boot

>>> normally. I also checked if the BIOS recognized the new memory and it did.

>>> The problem appears to begin after I get the initial moving bar at the

>>> beginning of the windows boot process.

October 25, 2007

Re: Vista 64 - Incomplete booting after increasing RAM

While Vista has a built-in memory diagnostic tool, it doesn't sound like you

can get that far.

Two options I think are available:

1) Safe Boot to Command Prompt, then use mdsched.exe (memory diagnostic

tool) to check for problems.

2) Go here and download the prior version, put on CD or Floppy and run:

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

Microsoft claims there are not known issues with this routine, but there are

a couple of googled hits on a unique problem where the tool gets into a loop

during it's initial test and will not exit. This is during a forced run

while Vista is up. I do not know if this routine runs during startup when

additional memory is detected. But, there may be a link between the two.

"Jim" <Jim@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:6A40A1EA-16F6-4C80-9BDD-73A2EC8E4D72@microsoft.com...

> I increaased the RAM on my system from 1GB to 3 GB. The sticks are 2 1 GB

> sticks and 2 512 MB sticks. As long as I keep the 2- 1GB sticks

installed

> Vista will not Boot completely. First It will take about 15 minutes to

get

> to the user selection window. Then after selection the boot process will

> only go to the opening window with a gray portion showing where the task

bar

> would be located and the rest of the screen black. I will get a dialog

> stating the Windows Explorer is not responding. It also offers two

choices

> Close the program

> Wait for the program to respond.

>

> I first tried to wait for the program to respond. After a half an hour I

> figured it wasn't going to so I rebooted and went through the tedious boot

> process again. When I got the Dialog again I selected close the program.

> This time, a few seconds later, a still picture of my usual moving pictire

> screen appeared. However nothing else could be done.

>

> I did remove one of the 1 - GB sticks and the system seemed to boot

> normally. I also checked if the BIOS recognized the new memory and it

did.

> The problem appears to begin after I get the initial moving bar at the

> beginning of the windows boot process.

October 28, 2007

Re: Vista 64 - Incomplete booting after increasing RAM

Memory maker is good. Manual does not require same memory manufacturer for

all modules. MB is spec'ed for 32 GB Max using 4 8 GB modules. I can use

the 512 MB Modules with one of the 1 GB modules with no problem.

Sorry for the long time for this answer. I repartitioned the drive and

installed Open Suse Linux 10.3 64. I then installed all of the RAM modules

and booted the system into Linux. It booted fine. I then restarted the

system into Vista and the problem was there.

I understand about the MSI requirement for memory. I used to have one on

the system last year. There are some others too. I also have seen boards

refuse to run with various individual products. This usually manifests

itself by not working alone or with other brands. In my case the the two

different brands will work as long as I don't exceed 2 GB. As soon as I try

to get to 3 GB all bets are off.

No, I'm not going to beat my head against a brick wall. I am now just

trying to see where the problem lies. When a different OS worked it makes me

look carefully at Vista.

"Theo" wrote:

> The other thing to check is what memory is recommended by

> the manufacturer of the motherboard. I have a MSI K8T Neo2

> board that will not boot with 2 1gb sticks of Patriot DRAM,

> but has not problem with Kingston which is one of the MSI

> recommended modules. The Patriot works flawlessly in my

> Asus A8V & Asus A8V-XE boards.

>

> Your problem is caused by the memory combination you are using.

>

> You can continue to beat your head against a brick wall if

> you want, but I guarantee it will feel really good when you

> stop!!

>

> Jim wrote:

> > Am not sure if the diferent Sizes or manufacturers are the problem. The BIOS

> > recognizes the memory amount. If I use the 2 - 512 MB sticks and one of the

> > 1 GB sticks Vista will boot alright. If I move this combination into

> > diffrent slots Vista will boot. The timing parameters of all of the modules

> > are the same. The system just won't seem to boot when I insert 2 of the 1 GB

> > modules along with the 2 512MB modules. Think I'll install a Linux Partition

> > on this system and see if the problem pesists.

> >

> > "Theo" wrote:

> >

> >> My first thoughts are whether the RAM is 'matched' or not.

> >> Virtually all the newer motherboards currently require that

> >> all the RAM installed be 'matched' and the best way to

> >> accomplish that is to make sure all the modules are from the

> >> same manufacturer and they all have the same timing specs.

> >> It usually doesn't cause problems being different sizes,

> >> i.e. 1 GB & 512 MB modules, but when you start mixing speeds

> >> and/or timing you can end up in situations where your

> >> computer won't "act right."

> >>

> >> Jim wrote:

> >>> I increased the RAM on my system from 1GB to 3 GB. The sticks are 2 1 GB

> >>> sticks and 2 512 MB sticks. As long as I keep the 2- 1GB sticks installed

> >>> Vista will not Boot completely. First It will take about 15 minutes to get

> >>> to the user selection window. Then after selection the boot process will

> >>> only go to the opening window with a gray portion showing where the task bar

> >>> would be located and the rest of the screen black. I will get a dialog

> >>> stating the Windows Explorer is not responding. It also offers two choices

> >>> Close the program

> >>> Wait for the program to respond.

> >>>

> >>> I first tried to wait for the program to respond. After a half an hour I

> >>> figured it wasn't going to so I rebooted and went through the tedious boot

> >>> process again. When I got the Dialog again I selected close the program.

> >>> This time, a few seconds later, a still picture of my usual moving pictire

> >>> screen appeared. However nothing else could be done.

> >>>

> >>> I did remove one of the 1 - GB sticks and the system seemed to boot

> >>> normally. I also checked if the BIOS recognized the new memory and it did.

> >>> The problem appears to begin after I get the initial moving bar at the

> >>> beginning of the windows boot process.

>

October 28, 2007

Re: Vista 64 - Incomplete booting after increasing RAM

Thanks, Your right about not making it very far into the boot process. I

get about 6 seconds into the vista boot process when the screen goes black

and stays that way for 20 or more minutes. Now that I thinlk of it, maybe I

am getting to the memory test part of Vista. I would think it would occur

early in the boot process. I'm not sure if I can get into safe mode either.

The floppy idea may be the best bet.

I'll check and let you know later.

jim

"Mark" wrote:

> While Vista has a built-in memory diagnostic tool, it doesn't sound like you

> can get that far.

>

> Two options I think are available:

> 1) Safe Boot to Command Prompt, then use mdsched.exe (memory diagnostic

> tool) to check for problems.

> 2) Go here and download the prior version, put on CD or Floppy and run:

> http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

>

> Microsoft claims there are not known issues with this routine, but there are

> a couple of googled hits on a unique problem where the tool gets into a loop

> during it's initial test and will not exit. This is during a forced run

> while Vista is up. I do not know if this routine runs during startup when

> additional memory is detected. But, there may be a link between the two.

>

> "Jim" <Jim@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:6A40A1EA-16F6-4C80-9BDD-73A2EC8E4D72@microsoft.com...

> > I increaased the RAM on my system from 1GB to 3 GB. The sticks are 2 1 GB

> > sticks and 2 512 MB sticks. As long as I keep the 2- 1GB sticks

> installed

> > Vista will not Boot completely. First It will take about 15 minutes to

> get

> > to the user selection window. Then after selection the boot process will

> > only go to the opening window with a gray portion showing where the task

> bar

> > would be located and the rest of the screen black. I will get a dialog

> > stating the Windows Explorer is not responding. It also offers two

> choices

> > Close the program

> > Wait for the program to respond.

> >

> > I first tried to wait for the program to respond. After a half an hour I

> > figured it wasn't going to so I rebooted and went through the tedious boot

> > process again. When I got the Dialog again I selected close the program.

> > This time, a few seconds later, a still picture of my usual moving pictire

> > screen appeared. However nothing else could be done.

> >

> > I did remove one of the 1 - GB sticks and the system seemed to boot

> > normally. I also checked if the BIOS recognized the new memory and it

> did.

> > The problem appears to begin after I get the initial moving bar at the

> > beginning of the windows boot process.

>

October 29, 2007

Re: Vista 64 - Incomplete booting after increasing RAM

Mark, Tried the windiag option using the normal mode and the extended test.

Ran the normal test for 4 passes and the extended test for 2 passes. There

were no errors. I tried to run option 1 with a modification. Vista wouldn't

boot to Safe mode with the extra memory installed. So I booted to safe mode

with 2 GB of memory installed. Executed the program. The program required

that the computer shut down and restart and the test would be run on the

restart. I restarted and during restart shut the system down and added the

extra memory and restarted. The test ran and no errors wwere detected.

However, when the system tried to reboot it hung up and the report could not

be displayed.

Thanks for the info on windiag. One point though. Windiag does not need to

be run from a bootable floppy. Just execute mtinst and it will offer a

create floppy option. The floppy created by this option will only contain a

file called windiag. Inserting that floppy into your system with the floppy

specified as the prime boot device will result in the tests being run. For

some reason I was thinking that I had to have a MSDOS boot floppy to run

Windiag. After some failures I decided to read the instructions again (what

a concept!). Thought the problem is still there I am pretty sure that the

Motherboard recognizes the 3GB of memory. Vista seems to be having a problem

with the different manufacturers for some reason. I have an Open Suse Linux

10.3 partition on this system and it has no problem with the additional

memory. I am beginning to wonder if there is a problem with Vista

activation. I don't see any indications that there is a need to reactivate

the OS, however.

jim

"Mark" wrote:

> While Vista has a built-in memory diagnostic tool, it doesn't sound like you

> can get that far.

>

> Two options I think are available:

> 1) Safe Boot to Command Prompt, then use mdsched.exe (memory diagnostic

> tool) to check for problems.

> 2) Go here and download the prior version, put on CD or Floppy and run:

> http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

>

> Microsoft claims there are not known issues with this routine, but there are

> a couple of googled hits on a unique problem where the tool gets into a loop

> during it's initial test and will not exit. This is during a forced run

> while Vista is up. I do not know if this routine runs during startup when

> additional memory is detected. But, there may be a link between the two.

>

> "Jim" <Jim@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:6A40A1EA-16F6-4C80-9BDD-73A2EC8E4D72@microsoft.com...

> > I increaased the RAM on my system from 1GB to 3 GB. The sticks are 2 1 GB

> > sticks and 2 512 MB sticks. As long as I keep the 2- 1GB sticks

> installed

> > Vista will not Boot completely. First It will take about 15 minutes to

> get

> > to the user selection window. Then after selection the boot process will

> > only go to the opening window with a gray portion showing where the task

> bar

> > would be located and the rest of the screen black. I will get a dialog

> > stating the Windows Explorer is not responding. It also offers two

> choices

> > Close the program

> > Wait for the program to respond.

> >

> > I first tried to wait for the program to respond. After a half an hour I

> > figured it wasn't going to so I rebooted and went through the tedious boot

> > process again. When I got the Dialog again I selected close the program.

> > This time, a few seconds later, a still picture of my usual moving pictire

> > screen appeared. However nothing else could be done.

> >

> > I did remove one of the 1 - GB sticks and the system seemed to boot

> > normally. I also checked if the BIOS recognized the new memory and it

> did.

> > The problem appears to begin after I get the initial moving bar at the

> > beginning of the windows boot process.

>

November 4, 2007

Re: Vista 64 - Incomplete booting after increasing RAM

A thought, on some boards, though not all, you have to alternate slots on

memory, ie: slots 1 & 3 and slots 2 & 4, perhaps trying this configuration

will allow for a successful boot into Vista.

--

Dshai

Life is limited only by those living it...

"Jim" <Jim@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:97AA85AF-5E02-4B8A-85BA-E895D474FE8F@microsoft.com...

> Mark, Tried the windiag option using the normal mode and the extended

> test.

> Ran the normal test for 4 passes and the extended test for 2 passes.

> There

> were no errors. I tried to run option 1 with a modification. Vista

> wouldn't

> boot to Safe mode with the extra memory installed. So I booted to safe

> mode

> with 2 GB of memory installed. Executed the program. The program

> required

> that the computer shut down and restart and the test would be run on the

> restart. I restarted and during restart shut the system down and added

> the

> extra memory and restarted. The test ran and no errors wwere detected.

> However, when the system tried to reboot it hung up and the report could

> not

> be displayed.

>

> Thanks for the info on windiag. One point though. Windiag does not need

> to

> be run from a bootable floppy. Just execute mtinst and it will offer a

> create floppy option. The floppy created by this option will only contain

> a

> file called windiag. Inserting that floppy into your system with the

> floppy

> specified as the prime boot device will result in the tests being run.

> For

> some reason I was thinking that I had to have a MSDOS boot floppy to run

> Windiag. After some failures I decided to read the instructions again

> (what

> a concept!). Thought the problem is still there I am pretty sure that the

> Motherboard recognizes the 3GB of memory. Vista seems to be having a

> problem

> with the different manufacturers for some reason. I have an Open Suse

> Linux

> 10.3 partition on this system and it has no problem with the additional

> memory. I am beginning to wonder if there is a problem with Vista

> activation. I don't see any indications that there is a need to

> reactivate

> the OS, however.

>

> jim

>

> "Mark" wrote:

>

>> While Vista has a built-in memory diagnostic tool, it doesn't sound like

>> you

>> can get that far.

>>

>> Two options I think are available:

>> 1) Safe Boot to Command Prompt, then use mdsched.exe (memory diagnostic

>> tool) to check for problems.

>> 2) Go here and download the prior version, put on CD or Floppy and run:

>> http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

>>

>> Microsoft claims there are not known issues with this routine, but there

>> are

>> a couple of googled hits on a unique problem where the tool gets into a

>> loop

>> during it's initial test and will not exit. This is during a forced run

>> while Vista is up. I do not know if this routine runs during startup when

>> additional memory is detected. But, there may be a link between the two.

>>

>> "Jim" <Jim@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:6A40A1EA-16F6-4C80-9BDD-73A2EC8E4D72@microsoft.com...

>> > I increaased the RAM on my system from 1GB to 3 GB. The sticks are 2 1

>> > GB

>> > sticks and 2 512 MB sticks. As long as I keep the 2- 1GB sticks

>> installed

>> > Vista will not Boot completely. First It will take about 15 minutes to

>> get

>> > to the user selection window. Then after selection the boot process

>> > will

>> > only go to the opening window with a gray portion showing where the

>> > task

>> bar

>> > would be located and the rest of the screen black. I will get a dialog

>> > stating the Windows Explorer is not responding. It also offers two

>> choices

>> > Close the program

>> > Wait for the program to respond.

>> >

>> > I first tried to wait for the program to respond. After a half an hour

>> > I

>> > figured it wasn't going to so I rebooted and went through the tedious

>> > boot

>> > process again. When I got the Dialog again I selected close the

>> > program.

>> > This time, a few seconds later, a still picture of my usual moving

>> > pictire

>> > screen appeared. However nothing else could be done.

>> >

>> > I did remove one of the 1 - GB sticks and the system seemed to boot

>> > normally. I also checked if the BIOS recognized the new memory and it

>> did.

>> > The problem appears to begin after I get the initial moving bar at the

>> > beginning of the windows boot process.

>>

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