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Question

Added RAM screwed up my computer. Please help!

Jan 8, 2015 7:08AM PST

I have an emachines, E525, single processor, 64-bit, Win 7.

My computer was running extremely slow, and after a couple of tests, I saw I had excessive paging, so I needed to add RAM. My CPU and physical memory usage were at the very top when looking at the task manager. I had a friend help me clear up some background items, which lowered my physical memory usage to a little above the halfway point. He said I could go ahead and add RAM if I wanted since the computer was still going slow.

I went to crucial.com and entered the information instead of doing the scan (ironically, I did the scan later and it said it couldn't update my computer). I looked at the memory it listed as able to buy and wrote down all of the specs. I then went to Newegg and bought a 2GB. I took out one of the two 1GB sticks it originally came with and replaced it with the 2GB thinking I would then have 3GB. My computer wouldn't start and my friend suggested that it just wasn't compatible with the original RAM. So I took out both 1GB sticks and put in the Newegg 2GB. It worked! Problem is, I still only have 2GB and my computer is going slow.

So I bought another 2GB from Newegg, the exact same one, and added it to the second slot, for a total of 4GB. I turned on my computer and was excited to have everything running quickly. I stayed on my computer for a little bit (not exactly sure how long) and then went to bed. When I awoke, my screen was going back and forth sideways really fast, like it was being shaken. I turned it off, and when I came back from work at the end of the day, it was still doing it. I took out the newest 2GB and my computer was okay. I adjusted the paging back to auto (my friend had previously adjusted it) in the hopes that it would help, but I still can't add the second 2GB stick without my computer going all wonky.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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yes and no
Jan 10, 2015 9:04AM PST

I tried to use the scanner and it said it couldn't update my system. Why would that be when I hadn't done anything to it before...still only had the 2 1GB SODIMMs. However, using the advance tool search by model it said I could update. I already knew I could only go up to 4GB max.

I'm also confused by your post that RAM is RAM is RAM. If that was the case, then why weren't the two I bought compatible with each other? They both worked singly, just not when I put them both together. I'm just going to cross my fingers that the kit works and if so, count my blessings and realize I am not going to understand the logistics of it all. ;D

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There seem to be some discrepancies
Jan 10, 2015 10:12AM PST

I suppose at the end of the day, this is really a Crucial.com issue
as it's NOT uncommon for a laptop motherboard to "max out" at
2gb So, I'm not sure why the advanced scanner would give you
different results than the basic one and advise you differently.

Regarding my statement: "RAM is RAM, is RAM" I was referring to
brands. That is to say Crucial RAM is no better than Micron & Micron
is no better than OCZ and OCZ is no better than Patriot, etc

Also regarding what was said about so called "OC in manufacturing
being inferior on the cheaper machines" and "better caps and/or other
components making a system last longer, with fewer DOA's" ...
Again that's as much of a falsehood as saying that keeping your system
running all the time will make it last longer than turning it on and off as needed.
As we all know that keeping a system on all the time (even when not in use),
regardless of whether it goes into standby or sleep mode, only benefits the local
utility company with a higher bill and in actual practice, a computer will become
outdated far before its internal electronic components actually fail. In other words,
there are those occasional instances when a "lemon" slips through the assembly
line, even something made by one of the "better" manufacturers. But, not withstanding
hard drive failure if it works out of the box, it'll more than likely be fine until it's ready for
the scrap heap.

C'mon guys... This is NOT a "pi--ing contest" The purpose of us all adding
to this discussion is to provide some USEFUL information to someone who
is a bit less experienced in computer upgrades than we all are and is looking
for answers.

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Answer
Addendum to my previous comments...
Jan 24, 2015 11:51PM PST

I know that this discussion is more than two weeks old and everyone
who cared to, has made their comments known. That being said, I'm
not going to belabor any of the points that I made previously.

Just going to add in a comment on my own recent experience with
Crucial, their system scanning tool & pricing...

One of my clients had a co-worker do a full factory reset of his laptop and
then felt it was running a bit "slower" than he had remembered. This same
co-worker suggested that he add some additional RAM to alleviate that condition.
Which is where I come in. I told him of the system scanning tool on the Crucial
website & suggested that adding a RAM module was a simple task that he could
do on his own. He is not particularly tech savvy and asked if I could do it for him.

I agreed & went to the Crucial website, brought up the system scanner, scanned
his system and presented him with several options. He had a 64 bit system with
a 2gb/DDR3 stick installed in one of the two available slots. At first, he wanted to
"max it out" (8gb) but after speaking with him, I determined that his primary use
of the computer was to create & read Excel spreadsheets & Word documents +
Email and light web browsing and advised him that going up to 8gb was not
necessarily going to be that much different for him than 4gb. So, he took my advice
and settled on 4 which meant purchasing a 2gb stick = $21.99/free standard shipping.
I placed the order, it came in a few days later, I installed it and as if by wizardry, his
system was up & running smoother and faster than before. No fuss, mo muss!

The point & the "takeaway" I'm making here is, that this is a perfect example of what
they do best at Crucial. They scan your system, and suggest & sell fully compatible
RAM modules at competitive prices.

Please note: I am NOT an employee or representative of Crucial, just a big fan of a
company who "gets it right"

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That's exactly why some of us regulars here on CNET have
Jan 25, 2015 11:44AM PST

recommended this vendor for years. I've been here since 2002, I've got over 9K responses to posts and I've been building and upgrading PCs since '86. If you look through posts of this nature, adding RAM, replacing RAM or upgrading systems, you'll find this vendor the one most often recommended. That's because we too want to see the poster gets the best chance of resolving the problem so they're not buying RAM and having to ship it back because it doesn't work. Lots of frustration plus time and money wasted as in this poster's case....you've got to have the "complete" product number to get the right RAM for your system.

Like you, I am not an employee or representative of Crucial, just a fan of a company who gets it right the first time or makes it right in the event of a problem.

VAPCMD