Upgrading RAM causing my desktop PC to hang.

[Sam Tham]

Hi everyone. I recently decided to upgrade the RAM on my desktop PC.

I was using the Kingston ValueRAM 4GB Kit (2x2GB) KVR1333D3N9K2/4G
and wanted to upgrade to the Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB Kit (2x4GB) KHX1600C9D3B1K2/8GX

Upon installing the new RAM into my motherboard (Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3 rev 2.0, which I believe is compatible) and Loading Optimized Defaults in the BIOS (F11), my computer began to hang at the "Starting Windows" screen, without the windows logo ever appearing. The longest time I left it running was roughly 20 minutes before I restarted and tried to tweak the BIOS a little (setting SATA to AHCI and enabling the XMP profile), but to no avail.

Reverting to the old RAM allowed my computer to run normally once again.

I'm currently running Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, if that also helps.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[i7Baby]

Is the new RAM on the mobos approved memory or qualified vendors list?

 

[Tradesman1]

Do you have the latest BIOS? Also did you enable XMP to have the sticks run at thrie optimal settings

 

[Sam Tham]

Is the new RAM on the mobos approved memory or qualified vendors list?

Could you please clarify what you mean by this? I checked up the compatibility list for my motherboard and the Kingston HyperX 1600 was listed as being compatible.

 

[Sam Tham]

Do you have the latest BIOS? Also did you enable XMP to have the sticks run at thrie optimal settings

I made sure to update my BIOS before replacing the old sticks. I've tried with both XMP enabled and disabled, both giving the same result of hanging at the "Starting Windows" screen.

 

[kingstonhq]

Hi Sam,
I'm Jewel with Kingston Technical Support. We apologize for the issue experienced with the HyperX memory. The most likely issue occurring is a compatibility problem. between the HyperX memory and your Gigabyte motherboard. Our current 4GB HyperX modules are made with 4Gbit DRAM, while previously they were manufactured with 2Gbit DRAM. This has changed due to the evolving nature of memory chips and the HyperX module KHX1600C9S3B1K2/8GX has been updated to indicate this change(http://www.kingston.com/dataSheets/KHX1600C9D3B1K2_8GX.pdf). It shows that the memory is 1R or Single Rank as are many currently available 4GB modules that we manufacture. We do not currently support the GA-P55A-UD3 Motherboard as it does not support 4Gbit technology or Single Rank 4GB modules. For motherboards that are over 3 years old as a general rule if it does not support 8GB modules it will not properly support Single Rank 4GB modules as they both utilize 4Gbit DRAM technology. There are some exceptions to this as some motherboard manufacturers have provided BIOS updates that allow systems to utilize the 4Gbit DRAM properly. Since you have updated to the latest BIOS and the memory still does not allow Windows to load properly than the memory is not compatible. This is the common symptom we have come across that indicates this compatibility problem. You are welcome to return the memory to your place of purchase for a refund as it is not compatible with your system. If you are outside the resellers return period, please contact us and we can work with you on the issue. Please call us at 1-800-435-0640 (USA and Canada only) M - F 6am - 6pm PT and I or another available Technician will assist you.

Thank you for selecting Kingston as your upgrade partner.

 

[Tradesman1]

Hi Sam,
I'm Jewel with Kingston Technical Support. We apologize for the issue experienced with the HyperX memory. The most likely issue occurring is a compatibility problem. between the HyperX memory and your Gigabyte motherboard. Our current 4GB HyperX modules are made with 4Gbit DRAM, while previously they were manufactured with 2Gbit DRAM. This has changed due to the evolving nature of memory chips and the HyperX module KHX1600C9S3B1K2/8GX has been updated to indicate this change(http://www.kingston.com/dataSheets/KHX1600C9D3B1K2_8GX.pdf). It shows that the memory is 1R or Single Rank as are many currently available 4GB modules that we manufacture. We do not currently support the GA-P55A-UD3 Motherboard as it does not support 4Gbit technology or Single Rank 4GB modules. For motherboards that are over 3 years old as a general rule if it does not support 8GB modules it will not properly support Single Rank 4GB modules as they both utilize 4Gbit DRAM technology. There are some exceptions to this as some motherboard manufacturers have provided BIOS updates that allow systems to utilize the 4Gbit DRAM properly. Since you have updated to the latest BIOS and the memory still does not allow Windows to load properly than the memory is not compatible. This is the common symptom we have come across that indicates this compatibility problem. You are welcome to return the memory to your place of purchase for a refund as it is not compatible with your system. If you are outside the resellers return period, please contact us and we can work with you on the issue. Please call us at 1-800-435-0640 (USA and Canada only) M - F 6am - 6pm PT and I or another available Technician will assist you.

Thank you for selecting Kingston as your upgrade partner.

__________________________________

Is Kingston going to be adding anything to the packages and advertising of this 'change' there are numerous mobos that have your DRAM on their QVLs in the older style of sticks...and are probably still be added to QVLs since the mobo makers test with the sticks they have on hand