Laptop freezes when I install second memory module
I have a problem with my Laptop. I have got a Compaq Evo N1020v and recently bought a new PC2100 512MB Memory Module. I replaced my current 256MB one with the new one and it works perfectly. When I insert the 256MB in the second slot the memory increases to 768MB but while working after about 30 minutes the computer freezes, the mouse pointer even freezes and Ctrl + Alt + Del, does not do anything, it stays frozen. I thought that it might be that the memory is not compatible with each other so ordered another 512MB from MemoryX. After inserting the new one, the computer works for about 30 minutes then freezes. After changing BIOS Settings nothing helps. What I have noticed is after the first time I restart after it has frozen, the computer already freezes at the login and does not get further, after another restart the computer freezes before even getting to the login. After taking out the one 512MB the Laptop works perfectly again. Could you please help me as I don’t know what is wrong.
I think there is a problem with the memory slot on the motherboard. Here’s what you can try to narrow down the problem. Run the laptop with each memory module in each memory slot. If the laptop works fine with both memory modules installed into the slot A but freezes with both memory modules installed into the slot B, most likely the slot B is bad. Also, you can narrow down the problem by running memory test utility, I usually use Memtest86+. I linked to this utility in Useful Links.
If both memory modules passes test in the slot A but fail in the slot B, the slot B is defective.
Unfortunately, in this case you’ll have to replace the motherboard or use it only with one memory slot occupied.
October 14th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Hi There
I have finally tested the RAM again. When inserting each one of the RAM modules separately into both slots separately Memtest runs through without any problems. After that I installed both Memory Cards into both slots at the same time and Memtest runs through without any problems. When I restart the PC it runs fine until it freezes at the login screen. When I restart again the computer does not start up until I remove one of the Memory Cards. Looks like when I reverted back to the previous Bios Version it only helped temporarily.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Dickson
November 7th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Actually, I have a question, and cannot seem to find a contact us link.
I have a Toshiba Satellite 2415-S205 and have recently replaced the power receptacle. I have attempted to reassemble the laptop and have a piece left over. For the life of me, I cannot recall where the f4 cover goes. I tried to start up the computer, but no luck. I have been trying to find a walk through or an exploded view, but I cannot locate one. I am hoping that you might be able to help… please.
Thanks so much,
Dave
November 8th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
David Shall,
I’m not sure what F4 cover is.
Can you take a picture, upload it somewhere and then post the link here?
Disassemble the laptop again and leave only three major parts: motherboard, CPU with cooling module and memory. With these parts you should be able to start the laptop with an external monitor and get video. If the laptop starts with video, start assembling it piece by piece and test after each installed part.
It’s possible that the laptop will not start because something is not seated or connected properly. Try reconnecting all cables and reseating all internal parts.
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:55 pm
I have a similar problem with Dell Latitude D800 laptop. After replacing the original two 256 Mb modules with two 1 Gb modules (that match the computer) the computer freezes after running for 30 minutes. Neither mouse nor Ctrl-Alt-Del works. If I take out and re-insert the battery and restart immediately the computer freezes again in a minute. If I let the computer to cool down for a few minutes and then re-start the computer the computer can run for another ~30 minutes before freezing again. One thing I notice is that the cover of the memory bay on the bottom side of the computer is quite hot. Here is what is interesting: if I let the laptop stand on its sides (vertically) the computer does not freeze even after running big calculation routines over-night. I am quite sure it is overheating of the memory modules that makes the computer freeze. The vertical position makes better air circulation to make the memory modules a little cooler, which in term makes a big difference to the computer.
Should I return the memory to the vendor and telling them there is a problem with the memory? I am not sure if the vendor replace them with two new ones will solve the problem.
Please help.
February 29th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I have a toshiba satellite m55 s1001 that is still in its stock configuration – windows xp sp2, 60 gib hd, and 256 mb ddr2 pc4200 single memory with one open slot. Bios is ver 1.60. The laptop works fine, but slower than I would like due to low memory.
I read user manual indicating a max of 2 GB memory in the two memory slots. So, I purchased a Crucial 2 GB memory kit (2×1GB ddr2 pc5300). Following appropriate static precautions, I removed the 256 mb module and installed both new memory modules. When power button is pressed – fan, DVD, HDD all power up but screen remains dark and it appears the laptop never enters boot cycle. After 20 – 30 sec, the fan, DVD, and HDD all cycle down but the power button light remains green.
After reading your advice to others, I have tried all three memory modules individually in both slots. the laptop works in all six configurations: 256 mb in slot 1, 256 mb in slot 2, 1GB in slot 1, 1 GB in slot 2, other 1GB in slot 1, and other 1 GB in slot 2. When I install both the 1 GB module and the 256 mb module, the laptop boots into windows xp but only shows 1024 mb memory regardless of slots – I tried both 256 mb in slot 1 with 1 GB in slot 2, and 1 GB in slot 1 with 256 mb in slot 2. It only recognizes 1024 mb while I have installed 1 GB + 256 mb?
It still will not boot up with both of the 1 GB modules installed?
Do I need to update bios or should I change some setting to get the laptop to recognize more than 1 GB of memory? The toshiba website and user manual both say it has a max memory of 2 GB.
April 20th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I have a Compaq Presario 2178CL. The users guide says it can handle up to 1GB ram. Why is this limited? What would happen if I put in 2GB? Would it even recognize the memory?
THANKS!
September 8th, 2008 at 2:11 am
I have a DELL D800 which was running with 1x 1G ram + 1x 512mb RAM. When I upgraded the RAM to 2G, (2 x 1G) the laptop does not start when the AC plug is plugged in, but runs ok on batteries only. I have tried both memory modules one-at-a-time on both sim sockets individully – they run ok on both AC power & batteries. When I insert both simms to total 2G RAM – then on it can run on batteries only – shuts down as soon as the AC plug is plugged in. Please help!!!
December 27th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I came across this website after googling “laptop freezes when using second memory slot”. I have a Fujitsu Siemens Amilo L1300 which came (more than 3 years ago) with tho 256 SODIMM memory modules installed in each slot. It has worked fine (except for the fan noise due to too muchh heat produced by the Celeron M)ever since I got it.
A week ago after a transatlantic flight (the sixth one for this laptop), it froze about half an hour after the first bootup, with symptoms similar to those described by others above. I had to force restart, and then it often wouldn’t boot at all or freeze very soon after. Letting it cool down for a long time aleviated but did not eliminate the problem.
I came to the conclusion that one of the memory modules had defected, so I removed one. Initilaly I couldn’t get it to boot (it kept restarting the boot sequence before showing the login screen); eventually I exchanged the two memory modules and it worked fine with only one of them installed, albeit slow. I assumed that the other memory module was defective and bought a new 512 MB memory with the proper charachteristics.
However, it turned out that running the coomputer with both the new memory module and any of the old 256 memories would cause the same problem as described above, freezing at boot or soon after. Running with any of the three modules alone never caused freezing. Any combination of two modules would cause it.
I ended up running with just the single 512 MB memory chip, which works fine so far. Effectively I am back to the original amount of memory the computer had before it went bad; however I wouldn’t mind the upgrade to 768 MB if I could still fit one of the old 256 chips (both fully function and compatible with the current one) in the second slot…
January 23rd, 2009 at 6:03 pm
THis may help you in some laptop with celron M and celron processor you have to use 2.5 latancey memory just useing generic 2100 memory will not work if you know someone with a celron laptop ask them if you can lok at the memory on there and you will see it is 2.5 or 3.5 check the site where you purchased the memory in make sure that it matches your laptop.it may be mismatched. I had the same problem with a toshiba 1805 with a 2 gig celron processor when i change the memory the problem stopped.
June 28th, 2010 at 5:20 am
sir,
my toshiba stellite m55 s1001 laptop is not getting switched on
if the ON button is pressed the LED on the button blinks for a second and switching off immedieately.please help me to trouble shoot my laptop.