Eric Garay

It happens to all of us at some point. We added or replaced the computer’s memory and now there are problems. These could include random restarts, system freezing, program crashes, and/or the system refuses to boot up. This doesn’t always mean your memory is incompatible. It just means your system, particularly your motherboard, aren’t agreeing with some internal setting. However, it’s possible that the memory has internal issues of its own. There are some steps you can take to get your system running without taking it to a repair shop.

First, assuming you’re having one or more of the issues above, follow these steps.
1. Install only 1 memory stick. This helps eliminates any variables.

2. Clear or Reset your motherboard’s CMOS (BIOS). It might be a button or a Jumper that needs moved and then put back. Start with a clean slate, so to speak.

3. Power up the system. If it boots successfully, you can enter the BIOS by depressing the DEL (Delete Key) and set any XMP or SLI Memory profiles if your board supports this feature. Otherwise, save, exit the BIOS, and power down.

4. Install the rest of the memory and proceed in to Windows.

If after these steps your system can’t boot, you’ll have to test each stick 1 at a time repeating the steps. This will help determine if there’s a bad memory stick. This is something that commonly happens among memory kits where there’s more than one module.

If you’re trying to install several different brands of memory, it’s going to be a bit more difficult getting your system stable. Mix and matching memory can limit chances for success. You’ll have to get more advanced and manually set the memory timings and voltage to match the “slowest” memory module. Your memory timings will look something like this: 5-5-5-15. Memory voltage is often called, VDIMM in the BIOS.

Incompatible memory typically causes a system to fail to boot because your motherboard just doesn’t understand how to use it. Depending on the number or memory slots on your board, you can always try switching slots. A BIOS update might resolve that issue. This means, you’ll need to download the latest BIOS from the motherboard manufacturer’s website. There will be directions on how to do this included on their website. Otherwise, you’ll have to RMA or swap memory out with the retailer.