Question regarding ram compatibility

[dragoncdf]

I just recently decided to upgrade my ram from 2 gb to 4 gb because of vista running slow. I ordered a 2gb kit pc2-5300. The ram I had was pc2-4200.When I put the new ram in I got a blue screen of death then when it rebotted it froze. So I took out the 4200 ram and left the new ram in and it runs fine now. Are the 4200 and 5300 compatible? I have the FIC K2BC51 Motherboard.

 

[ulysses35]

You can mix different speed modules - but it just means the ram will all run at the slower speed.

What Version of Vista are you running ? and hold old is the PC ?

 

[dragoncdf]

Running vista ultimate and the computer was made in 2006.

 

[ulysses35]

Vitsa Ultimate - 64 bit version ? I only ask as I used to have Vista 64 running fine until I upgraded my pc and then did a frehs install of Vista. Believe it or not their is a bug in the 64 bit version of vista that affects Ram over 2Gb being used.

However MS did release a patch to cure this problem :-

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929777/en-us

 

[dragoncdf]

Actually running the 32 bit version

 

[dragoncdf]

Downloaded that file and it told me I didn't need it. I just tried moving the ram around first slot the 5300,then 4200,then 5300,and finally 4200. booting up like this caused the screen to start flickering so I turned the computer off. Then tried just one 4200 with the 5300 and got and instant blue screen of death. so far the only configurations that work are 2 4200 or 2 5300 but not both. Looks like I'll be buy more ram again.

 

[TomCat1]

There are some restrictions in using RAM. Both slots could use same or different RAM units. Dealers in RAM units could suggest the best combination which can be used as per the specific details about the system in use.