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XP with 4GB RAM?

E

Ed259

n00b
Joined
Aug 27, 2008
Messages
9
Hi guys,

I put in 2x2Gb pairs of OCZ RAM, so giving me 4GB. My PC wouldn't even make it to the post screen.

I removed 1 of the RAM sticks so giving me 3GB and Windows works fine.

Am I right in thinking Win XP can't run with 4 GB RAM?

Thanks.
 
No. My XP 32bit install works just fine with 4 sticks of 1GB RAM (4GB RAM total)

Could be something wrong with your motherboard.

Waaiiittt....if you removed one stick, wouldn't that just leave you with just 2GB of RAM, not 3GB?
 
Thanks.

I have 4 x 1GB sticks (2 matching pairs). I took one out so have 3 GB RAM in the system.
 
Try running each stick individually. If they all check out, test them with Memtest.
 
Ed259 said:
Thanks.

I have 4 x 1GB sticks (2 matching pairs). I took one out so have 3 GB RAM in the system.
Click to expand...


Go to BIOS and increase memory voltage by 0.1V and set 5-5-5-18 T2 timing

If it doesnt help run Memtest for 12 hours.

 
Go to the OCZ web site and found out what voltage they recommend for your memory. They make a point of saying that with 4 sticks in, or with tighter timings, it might take the max recommended to get the mobo to post properly.

For example, for my 4x1GB Plat Rev. 2 DDR2800, it says 1.9-2.1 V, so I set it at 2.0 (with default SPD loose timings). Although, the memory worked properly even at the default 1.8 V on both a Bad Axe 2 and this P5K-E motherboard (under XP and Vista).

With 3 GB instead of 4, you might be giving up dual channel mode, and your memory might be running slower, I'm not sure.
 
There are quite a few motherboards out there that will not work with 4 slots filled. I think there should be a class action suit against it because you will not always know untill you fill all of them. Also it could just be that one of the sticks is bad, but I doubt it.
 
It's not Windows.
32 bit will run on 4 gigs, even though it will most likely show you somewhere from 3-4 gigs..often something like 3.2 or 3.6 gigs...all depends on what hardware you have.

Most likely you issue is due to compatability between your sticks of RAM, and your motherboard.
Ensure latest BIOS on motherboard
Ensure the RAM sticks you have are "compatible" with your motherboard (you didn't just reach in and grab any old pair of PC6400 hoping it would run in your system).
May have to bump up the voltage a bit in your BIOS if you have RAM that requires higher than standard amounts.
 
Ed259 said:
Am I right in thinking Win XP can't run with 4 GB RAM?
Click to expand...
If it was hanging at the POST screen, that's a clear indication it isn't related to the OS, because you haven't gotten to the OS yet. Besides, to answer your question, XP x86 would still run, you just won't be able to use all your memory. XP x64 would run and use it all, however.
 
Some motherboards have 4gb compatibility issues. In the bios release notes for my intel dp35dp one of the revisions noted that it fixed boot issues with 4gb ram. I never ran into them, but i'm guessing other boards have problems booting with 4gb. Its not an XP issue.

Theres a chance it could be a device driver breaking with 4gb ram too. (I think creative used to have a lot of problems with 4gb ram, but it would just make the sound all kinds of broken not stop it from booting.. i think hauppauge has problems too nut none that would stop the os from booting).
 
I have run OCZ RAM for years. In every install I have ever put it in, it has required 2.1 volts to run stable.
 
it was my interpretation that a 32 bit os (ie windows xp) can only address 4 gigs of ram total between all hardware, (ram, cpu cache, video memory, hdd cache, soundcard memory, etc)

but as far as i know the extra ram [ram] just wont show up available or be used. it wont have a stability issue. especially difficulty getting to post.

i think it is a mobo issue, update bios if it addresses the issue.
 
It's only consumer level 32bit OS that can't support 4GB of ram, if you run Windows 2k3 server 32bit you can have a lot more than 4GB however a single app can only address a maximum of 2GB
 
You need to check the check the hardware compatibility list for the mainboard and see if it supports thiis particular model number ram in all 4 slots
 
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