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Question

my computer only works with 1gb of ram and nothing more

Apr 5, 2015 10:46AM PDT

When I tried putting 2gb of ram in my desktop, it boots up then randomly shuts off about 15 seconds in. I then took one ram slot out making it only 1 gb, and it worked perfectly. Well kinda... I'm running windows vista so with only 1gb it is EXTREMELY slow!!! If you know how to fix this, I will be forever grateful as I need this computer for my schoolwork

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Without some make, model, and where this 2GB came from.
Apr 5, 2015 11:24AM PDT

It could be normal for some 2000 era and older machines. To fix those we replace the machine. If it's just the wrong RAM we head to crucial.com
Bob

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my computer is from 2008 if that helps
Apr 5, 2015 11:39AM PDT

thank you very much for the reply, But both sticks of ram are exactly the same. I tested the computer with one stick only with both sticks so I know for a fact that both work fine and are correct (if that made any sense) so idk what the problem is.

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Actually
Apr 5, 2015 11:57AM PDT

There are models that did that. It is not a sign it's the right ram. I no longer dive into why this is. However if we could find make, model of the PC we may see what's supported.
Bob

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ok
Apr 5, 2015 12:09PM PDT

It is an Acer veriton m460

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Crucial says 2x2GB sticks max.
Apr 5, 2015 12:28PM PDT
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hmmm
Apr 5, 2015 12:40PM PDT

Well my sticks came with the PC (I have two of the same computer) on one computer, one of the ram slots broke, so I decided to switch the motherboards from the exact same PC just was unused for a while because the power supply broke. So because of this, I'm pretty positive that the ram sticks are correct and its an issue with something else. Do you suppose it could be something wrong with the power supply?

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have you tried it
Apr 5, 2015 6:22PM PDT

in just the second DIMM slot? It might not be the RAM, but one of the slots on the motherboard, especially if you flexed it too much when installing the RAM. Try one stick of RAM at a time in each DIMM.

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my computer only works with 1gb of ram
Apr 7, 2015 9:12PM PDT

DEAR..
It could be simple and near about 2000 era .. it is older machines. To fix those we replace the machine.
the older computer have not features ,,RAM Extendibility..
thankx...

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Answer
Then go to the post titled
Apr 5, 2015 12:39PM PDT

'Crucial says 2x2GB sticks max'. Follow the link to RAM that should work in your PC.

You can either buy 1 DIMM at 2GB (to go with the existing RAM) or replace all the old RAM by getting 2 DIMMs at 2GBs each for a total of 4GB.

Let us know how it works out.

VAPCMD

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ty
Apr 5, 2015 12:46PM PDT

I definitely appreciate this response, but as I said before Im pretty sure that the ram is correct, since it came with the pc

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Don't assume, prove it
Apr 6, 2015 3:50AM PDT

Assume all you want, but it isn't working, is it. Not to pick on you, but you have to research exactly what is needed. You can use the PCWizard 2014 pgm. to ID the ram itself. If they don't match then you have a clue. In your case, you have to test one at a time, power down and swap and recheck the specs again. The reason a "matched pair" usually works.

I summize since it doesn't work together, then you have bad ram(not compatible or bad), bad slot or mtrbd. or the BIOS needs to be updated. The bios being updated does correct ram issues, especially if varied greatly, like level 5 and level 8 is available, yada, yada.


tada -----Willy Happy

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Should have told us that before...maybe you need a BIOS
Apr 6, 2015 1:12PM PDT

update.

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Answer
my computer only works with 1gb of ram and nothing more
Apr 5, 2015 4:47PM PDT

can you change the slot and try?...or your Mobo compatible with 2GB ram?

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yes
Apr 6, 2015 1:02AM PDT

The PC came with 2 GB of ram and its max is 4

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Answer
Two ideas.
Apr 6, 2015 12:30AM PDT

1. There is an oddity where you don't shut down but hibernate. If you change RAM size, the boot fails. Let's be sure you're not doing that.

2. Your top post did not lead with the story the RAM came with the PC. You wrote you put 2GB into the desktop which leads us to think it's incompatible.

If this is true then it's possible #1 is in play or there is a hardware failure. The hardware failure can be motherboard or that RAM stick. Given the machine's age (2009?) you may find replacement is cheaper.
Bob