Laptop RAM upgrade crashes graphics card at Acer logo - but works with old RAM and new

[rowebil]

I got a V3-551-8469 laptop and a few reviews I had seen on different sites says that they put 16GB of RAM into it.

Definitely, it works... However, when I put two of the same RAM modules in, it crashes. It sometimes would go to the Windows 7 flag, but then freeze...

It would power on, and become stuck at the Acer logo and then the screen would have green dots diagonally.
I put in an old 4 GB stick and an 8 GB and it reads 12 GB with 11.5 usable (graphics card)

Now I know it is achievable because I have seen multiple reviews on Newegg, TigerDirect, and Amazon saying it works and reads the full 16 GB. Also, the chipset supports it in the datasheet and people on YouTube also have 16 GB with the same chipset, GPU, CPU, etc.

I have the latest catalyst drivers for the Radeon HD 7640G. I am running Windows 7.

I updated the BIOS. The guy who did have it working with 16 GB, said he didn't update the BIOS.

The RAM is G.Skill DDR3- 1600 Mhz - which reads correct in the BIOS and when I turn off quiet boot. The system can see the 16 GB of RAM, but when the Radeon card initializes it seems to crash. Like I literally have to press F2 before the screen is gray in order to get to the BIOS. If I wait until the Acer logo is present, it will crash.

Now it seemed like it was getting better over time.

Instance, it would crash before Acer logo. I unplug it and try again, crashes at Acer Logo. Again, crashes at the flag. Again, crashes seconds with the flag of loading.

I switch to the old RAM and it works for 5 minutes, crashes. Then again, 10 minutes and crashes, and now it is working for about 5 hours perfectly. So it seems like the computer is adjusting, but still won't allow the RAM to fully be 16 GB.

Any ideas? I can't switch the voltage in the BIOS. I did update the BIOS to the latest by the way.

I can switch NB voltage and CPU, but that is a software application.

Also, legacy boot is active, not UEFI.

The laptop also came with Windows 8!

Ah, so what is the issue? Should I rollback BIOS settings?

The Device Driver Pro or whatever says that the Radeon HD 7640G is out of date, and has a new driver that was developed in January 2013... It says mine is from like 2009 or 2006. I can't find a site that updates it. I do have the new catalyst drivers but I don't know if the GPU needs to be flashed or whatever. :/

 

[Feldmarschall]

So single stick of new RAM works normally?

Maybe it works with 16 GB RAM or 12 GB RAM just not with every brand and type. As far as I can see original RAM is 1333MHz if i'm not wrong, and you should match at least those values if not even manaufacturers.

 

[rowebil]

So single stick of new RAM works normally?

Maybe it works with 16 GB RAM or 12 GB RAM just not with every brand and type. As far as I can see original RAM is 1333MHz if i'm not wrong, and you should match at least those values if not even manaufacturers.

Nope, the single stick only works with the older RAM, which is clocked at 1333.

The clock speed upgrade definitely might be a problem, since when the 1333 Mhz is in, it clocks all memory down to 1333 Mhz. 🙁 But everyone else 1600 Mhz RAM, and I'm not sure what they did differently.

 

[Feldmarschall]

According to http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=8D2DBF18A5CA7304 you can have 1600MHz memory but only 4 Gb modules.

 

[rowebil]

According to Crucial - and Acer.

But everyone else got 16 GB in it and the chipset supports it. Plus, I got the 8 GB and 4 GB in so those are not 'only 4 GB sticks'

😛

 

[Feldmarschall]

Maybe yours does not like G.SKILL

 

[rowebil]

Haha - eh I don't think so.

I don't think the G.Skill sticker really has anything to do with it. :/

I think the BIOS type switched to legacy is the problem. I installed Windows 7 and because this laptop isn't shipped W7, it is hard to gather all the drivers from the website.

With Windows 8, they are preinstalled.

The UEFI supports GOP - and the card BIOS I am using is on ATI VGA which is old from 2006. I asked the Amazon reviewer what info. he had, and he had an older BIOS and a GOP X64 driver.

I think I *may* reinstall Windows 8 so then I can turn UEFI on. OR revert to older BIOS?

OR maybe I need to add it slowly. My one friend majoring in Computer Maintenance (we are both done) as well said that he had crashing and had to slowly add more sticks of RAM. I mean, I don't think a computer is that picky... I don't think you need to train it, but I can get an 8GB stick in there, leave it in and it would work.

I can get 16 GB in it, but can only get into the BIOS and see I have the full 16. :/

Of ALL years of computer repair experience since I was little, I haven't had a computer worry about the RAM. Usually you have problems with RAM upgrades, but it is something you can figure out!