Ubuntu 14.04(64 bit) restarts while booting after memory upgrade

[Prasad Surase]

I have a HP G42-457TU laptop with 3GB(2+1) DDR3 1064 MHz RAM. I added an additional 4GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM.
1) When I try to start Ubuntu(14.04 64 bit), it restarts while booting. The memory test done using BIOS is successful but memory test done by Ubuntu stops at 4% and the machine hangs. I need to do a hard reboot to restart the machine.
2) When I try to do a fresh installation(ubuntu 14.04 64bit) using the combination of RAMs, the machine hangs too. Also, when i try to do a fresh installation of ubuntu 14.04(64 bit) using ONLY the 4GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM, the machine restarts from the point where you have to specify the username, password and other details.
What should i do? Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[skittle]

Uhm have you considered that you have a bad stick of RAM?

 

[Prasad Surase]

Uhm have you considered that you have a bad stick of RAM?

I tried BIOS memory test on the new RAM and it was a success. The memory test done by Ubuntu hanged at 4%. Also, the fresh installation(using new RAM only) starts ok but the machine restarts when the user name needs to be entered. Hence, i think the new RAM is good but not compatible with Ubuntu 14.04 64 bit.

 

[skittle]

Hence, i think the new RAM is good but not compatible with Ubuntu 14.04 64 bit.

No, makes no sense. all signs point to bad hardware. If you are unconvinced try with Fedora or other distrobution..

Try boot Ubuntu livecd and use the "test memory" function to boot into memtest86+ to thoroughly test all RAM.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

Uhm have you considered that you have a bad stick of RAM?

I tried BIOS memory test on the new RAM and it was a success. The memory test done by Ubuntu hanged at 4%. Also, the fresh installation(using new RAM only) starts ok but the machine restarts when the user name needs to be entered. Hence, i think the new RAM is good but not compatible with Ubuntu 14.04 64 bit.

BIOS tests are not comprehensive enough. You should download and run Memtest 86 against that 4GB stick. Odds are that it's bad.

 

[dukeforver]

Same here. After upgrade from 2GB to 6GB memory, my windows 7 can boot and show 3.5GB available RAM. kubuntu cannot boot at all, it always triggers the reboot. Any update or hints? Thanks

 

[cybertex]

I have no solution for a while but I get the same issues!
My Samsung R610 doesn't boot after upgrade of the memory from 2GB to 4GB.
Windows works great but not Ubuntu.

Maybe BIOS is a problem or some other initial settings?

What next?

 

[Ijack]

I think the new RAM is good but not compatible with Ubuntu 14.04 64 bit.

There is no such thing as RAM not being compatible with an OS. If it works then it works with any OS. You have a hardware problem, either bad RAM or incorrect settings (e.g. Timing) in the BIOS.

 

[MIJ-VI]

I have a HP G42-457TU laptop with 3GB(2+1) DDR3 1064 MHz RAM. I added an additional 4GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM.
1) When I try to start Ubuntu(14.04 64 bit), it restarts while booting. The memory test done using BIOS is successful but memory test done by Ubuntu stops at 4% and the machine hangs. I need to do a hard reboot to restart the machine.
2) When I try to do a fresh installation(ubuntu 14.04 64bit) using the combination of RAMs, the machine hangs too. Also, when i try to do a fresh installation of ubuntu 14.04(64 bit) using ONLY the 4GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM, the machine restarts from the point where you have to specify the username, password and other details.
What should i do? Thanks for any suggestions.

From page 5 of the 'Compaq Presario CQ42 Notebook PC and HP G42 Notebook PC - Maintenance and Service Guide':

"Supports up to 8 GB of system memory"

And yet:

"Supports the following configurations:

4096 MB (2048 MB × 2)
3072 MB (1024 MB × 1 + 2048 MB × 1)
2048 MB (2048 MB × 1)
2048 MB (1024 MB × 2)
1024 MB (1024 MB × 1)"

Manuals for HP G42-457TU Notebook PC | HP® Support
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/manualCategory?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&product=5039384

--

Aside from trying the latest version of Memtest86+...

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool
http://www.memtest.org/

...the 32 bit version of Ubuntu 14.04.1 LTS (it has a PAE kernel) may be worth testing if the notebook's RAM checks out as being OK:

Ubuntu 14.04.1 LTS (Trusty Tahr)
http://releases.ubuntu.com/trusty/

For a faster UI:

Linux Mint 17 "Qiana" - MATE (32-bit) - Linux Mint
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=159

NOTE: If you do go with (Ubuntu 14.04.1-based) Linux Mint MATE 17 v2 then you'll have to burn it to a DVD. For the life of me I couldn't make a USB key-based installer via UNetBootin.