Can RAM cause pc to restart endlessly?

[Kasper Gonnsen]

My PC sometimes freezes completely, nothing other than a hard reset works. Sometimes, though, my pc wont turn on at all, it just keeps restarting after 2 seconds. When it does restart, sometimes it wont output to my monitor, nothing happens. Then I reseat my RAM. That usually does it. However, sometimes I have to reseat a couple of times.

Im thinking about RMA'ing my RAM, or maybe my mobo?

Any suggestions?

 

[inzane4all]

Sounds like a RAM issue. I had to perform exactly the same thing when my computer would act up or not boot properly: power off, remove one stick, power on, and it would boot. I finally replaced the RAM on my machine and the issue was non existent after that. I was lucky enough to have spare RAM sticks from another build, so I didn't have to spend cash. If you have some spare RAM lying around (even if it's 4 GB or even 2 GB) give it a shot to see if that fixes the issue. Good luck!

 

[feelinfroggy777]

It is called a boot loop, and yes, it is usually cause by RAM. Before you go and buy new RAM, try updating your bios. Usually bios updates improve memory compatibility. If that does not work, test it out with one stick of RAM at a time. If you don't have a problem with either stick, it may be your motherboard. And if one of the sticks gives you problems, then you know which to replace.

 

[Kasper Gonnsen]

It is called a boot loop, and yes, it is usually cause by RAM. Before you go and buy new RAM, try updating your bios. Usually bios updates improve memory compatibility. If that does not work, test it out with one stick of RAM at a time. If you don't have a problem with either stick, it may be your motherboard. And if one of the sticks gives you problems, then you know which to replace.

I've been running for a couple of days now with just a single stick of RAM - no problems. Now I've switched to the other stick, and just ran a Memtest86 - however no errors after 1 pass, should I try again?
Now I'll try to game with this stick and see if anything happens.

 

[Kasper Gonnsen]

It is called a boot loop, and yes, it is usually cause by RAM. Before you go and buy new RAM, try updating your bios. Usually bios updates improve memory compatibility. If that does not work, test it out with one stick of RAM at a time. If you don't have a problem with either stick, it may be your motherboard. And if one of the sticks gives you problems, then you know which to replace.

UPDATE:
Used the "bad" RAM for a bit. PC just froze, tried to reboot but i froze on my mobo screen. Tried to reboot 4 times with no luck. PC booted up right away after i switched to the other stick.

Safe to assume its the stick that has an issue?

 

[feelinfroggy777]

Sure sounds like you found your culprit. Just because memtest did not come back with anything does not mean it is all good.