Laptop going crazy after RAM upgrade.

[kimpd]

Good Day!

I need help to identify if this is caused by a bad ram or not?

IMG - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-AwHGEQp8YFUzhmS056TzFhMTA/view
VID - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-AwHGEQp8YFcjZvRC1SY1V3WVE/view?usp=sharing

New RAM: Kingston Value RAM 8GB 1600MHz PC3-12800 DDR3L 1.35V Non-ECC CL11 SODIMM 2Rx8
Laptop Specs (currently using 4GB OLD RAM): http://speccy.piriform.com/results/Jdl2VZva77Teqo8D36MvM6a

I recently upgraded my laptop ram from 8gb to 12gb. Since then my laptop has been randomly freezing and the display flickering. It usually happens when I'm on google or playing online mobile games through an emulator. The problem also appeared even while using an external display.

Please do note that my laptop got spilled by water around the 1st week of August. Just saying in case it might be relevant to the problem.

Troubleshooting Log:
09/02 - Tried to run the new ram without GPU installed. Freezing and flickering display still happened.
09/02 - Ran memtest86 to see if there was any error with the new ram. No error found after 4 passes.
09/03 - Cleaned laptop fan and changed thermal paste in case of overheating.
09/04 - Problem appeared again after 6 hours of continuous use while using google chrome.
09/10 - Formatted laptop. Used the new 8gb ram again. The problem appeared once again.

Please help!

 

[JoshRC]

Never mix different type of ram they are no compatible. The only you will get it to work is change the timing to be the same and the frequency im fairly sure. just remove the old 4gb and just use the kingston stuff.

 

[kimpd]

But the new 8gb ram has the same timing as the old 4gb ram. Please see the picture below. I can't remove the other ram because it's soldered.

RAM COMPARISON

 

[Neur0nauT]

ensure your Mobo BIOS is up-to-date see if that helps. When you remove the 8Gb does the problem disappear? If so, you'll need to replace the RAM.

 

[The Paladin]

And this problem never occurs when your using only the interl 4Gb of ram on your laptop ?

May I suggest since you did not list make and model of laptop in question that perhaps it doesn't handle 8gb properly (not uncommon).

I have to agree, even though the ram is "similar" obnviously they do not like to play together nicely, (not uncommon)
opnly solution I can see if track down some Samsuing PC3-12800 M471B5173BH0-YK0

newegg sells them for 26$ https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIADRH5UC6823&ignorebbr=1&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC-_-pla-_-Memory+%28Notebook+Memory%29-_-9SIADRH5UC6823&gclid=CjwKCAjw9O3NBRB3EiwAK6wPTzwcXxhPJYg8wNBJYki28croPQ0_96bDwyYgHFSG5LMI0two1WNU0xoCLkEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Walmart sell them for 31$ : https://www.walmart.com/ip/SAMSUNG-Samsung-DDR3-1600-SODIMM-4GB-CL11-Notebook-Memory-M471B5173BH0-YKO/455619074?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=916&adid=22222222227068936492&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=186808509030&wl4=pla-295212746772&wl5=9027601&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=113134359&wl11=online&wl12=455619074&wl13=&veh=sem

 

[kimpd]

ensure your Mobo BIOS is up-to-date see if that helps. When you remove the 8Gb does the problem disappear? If so, you'll need to replace the RAM.

I haven't tried updating the BIOS yet. I will let you know if it works. And yes, the problem didn't appear when I used the old 4gb ram again.

I am contemplating if the new ram is really the cause of the problem because I ran memtest86 and there's no error. What is really weird is that I played need for speed for 2 hours but the problem didn't appear. Only when I'm using chrome or the emulator that it happens.

 

[Neur0nauT]

I haven't tried updating the BIOS yet. I will let you know if it works. And yes, the problem didn't appear when I used the old 4gb ram again.

I am contemplating if the new ram is really the cause of the problem because I ran memtest86 and there's no error. What is really weird is that I played need for speed for 2 hours but the problem didn't appear. Only when I'm using chrome or the emulator that it happens.

You mentioned spilling water on the system.....so don't rule that out as the cause yet. Although if the system is stable with the 4GB, then it could just be removable SODIMM slot that is faulty? Make sure you've blown out any dust from the slots. Check that your mobo can fully support 12GB. A BIOS driver update might resolve any known issues with particular RAM modules.

Or the new RAM could be overheating, which might explain why you're able to run for a period of time before problems arise.

 

[kimpd]

And this problem never occurs when your using only the interl 4Gb of ram on your laptop ?

May I suggest since you did not list make and model of laptop in question that perhaps it doesn't handle 8gb properly (not uncommon).

I have to agree, even though the ram is "similar" obnviously they do not like to play together nicely, (not uncommon)
opnly solution I can see if track down some Samsuing PC3-12800 M471B5173BH0-YK0

newegg sells them for 26$ https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIADR...

Walmart sell them for 31$ : https://www.walmart.com/ip/SAMSUNG-Samsung-DDR3-1600-SO...

My laptop model is ASUS X550LB. Unfortunately, I'm from the Philippines so I can't use the sites you suggested. Thank you though!
According to the crucial official website, the maximum memory of my laptop is 12gb and can run 8gb per slot.

 

[kimpd]

You mentioned spilling water on the system.....so don't rule that out as the cause yet. Although if the system is stable with the 4GB, then it could just be removable SODIMM slot that is faulty? Make sure you've blown out any dust from the slots. Check that your mobo can fully support 12GB. A BIOS driver update might resolve any known issues with particular RAM modules.

Or the new RAM could be overheating, which might explain why you're able to run for a period of time before problems arise.

I already updated the BIOS. I was able to play online mobile games through an emulator for 2 hours. After that I used google chrome again for 1 hr and 30 mins then bam, hello problem.

I forgot to mention that I have 2 sticks of 4gb ram, one is soldered, the other one is removable. The problem doesn't occur when I use the 4gb+4gb, only when 8gb+4gb it happens. How about I update my GPU driver? Are there anymore suggestions that I can do? If there's none, I guess it's a bad ram then. Which means memtest86 result is not accurate???

 

[Neur0nauT]

I forgot to mention that I have 2 sticks of 4gb ram, one is soldered, the other one is removable. The problem doesn't occur when I use the 4gb+4gb, only when 8gb+4gb it happens. How about I update my GPU driver? Are there anymore suggestions that I can do? If there's none, I guess it's a bad ram then. Which means memtest86 result is not accurate???

Memtest86 would only pick up on data faults/corruption of the RAM during the read/write tests, if it is overheating then this will be less obvious to the tests.

Since the system does actually boot and work with the 8Gb module installed, but then cause problems after a time.... I would hazard a guess that this is what is happening.....the RAM is overheating and causing the flickering & freezing.

I would suggest contacting the RAM manufacturers and explaining these symptoms; including how your other 4Gb module works fine.....They might suggest RMAing the module back to them for replacement.

Can I ask why you've upgraded to 12Gb? Unless you are using very RAM intensive programs, (which I doubt on a laptop) There is no real requirement for more than 8Gb on a laptop. You'll never utilise that much RAM. In fact....I would be surprised if your laptop is even using over 4Gb. (With the exception of having more than one web page open in Chrome 😛 )

 

[kimpd]

Memtest86 would only pick up on data faults/corruption of the RAM during the read/write tests, if it is overheating then this will be less obvious to the tests.

Since the system does actually boot and work with the 8Gb module installed, but then cause problems after a time.... I would hazard a guess that this is what is happening.....the RAM is overheating and causing the flickering & freezing.

I would suggest contacting the RAM manufacturers and explaining these symptoms; including how your other 4Gb module works fine.....They might suggest RMAing the module back to them for replacement.

Can I ask why you've upgraded to 12Gb? Unless you are using very RAM intensive programs, (which I doubt on a laptop) There is no real requirement for more than 8Gb on a laptop. You'll never utilise that much RAM. In fact....I would be surprised if your laptop is even using over 4Gb. (With the exception of having more than one web page open in Chrome 😛 )

Alright, I guess I have to contact the seller again for replacement. It's unfortunate that my first online order is defective. It's an absolute hassle to return items bought online. :/

I actually do a lot of 3d renderings and modelling using my laptop since I don't have desktop. I want to be able to multi-task while waiting for the renders to finish that's why I decided to upgrade my ram.

I guess I will update this thread after the replacement of the new ram. Anyway, thank you for your help!

UPDATE
I already went to the physical store and got the ram replaced. You were right! It was really a bad ram but I don't know if it was caused by overheating since the merchant didn't say much and just replaced the ram immediately. I've been running my laptop now for 2 days using the new ram and the problem didn't appear so far. Yey! Thank you again for the help!

 

[Neur0nauT]

Good result. Glad you got it fixed! 😉