Completely baffled

So in upgrading the RAM on a Gateway FX530QS when I add two more 2 G sticks to the two alreaady installed, the system will not boot properly.
Either windows won't load and I run system repair at which time it will start sometimes/ Or a couple tries I hit start windows normally and that works.
Last time was three beeps continuous fan. After 8 times of that I pulled two sticks.
Fine.
I've used varying arrays, both old sticks both new one and one.
It boots fine qwith 4 gig total but not 8.
Speeds are the same 667.
BIOS though old is the latest version.
Had the same problem when I got it years ago but support blamed Vista 32.
Now I have 7 64.
Back then support replaced MB. No help.
 
Crucial will take the new ram back no problem but if anyone knows a magic fix............
 
I know it's a million to one but has anyone heard of this?
 
I'm thinking it may be time to pitch it into Lake Erie.
 
WSS
 
 

If the memory is the correct memory (Crucial only shows one 4GB memory upgrade kit), I've seen problems caused by the BIOS.  Reset the BIOS and see if that helps.  I don't know if there is a reset jumper on the Gateway motherboard, but one sure way is (with the PC powered off) remove the CR2032 CMOS (BIOS) backup battery for at least 10 minutes (Intel says 15 min), reinstall the battery and power back up and see if that makes a difference. 

Thanks guys.
Bigand long....
All four chips are identical, all Crucial 2G sticks.
(it may have shipped with two 1 G sticks and I replaced them with Crucials)

Fireberd
So there's no cjhance of screwing everything up with the battery out BIOS set?
I tried to download a signed BIOS driver from Intel but no luck.
Would I do it with all four chips in or out?
 
 
Jim:
That souinds a little ablove my pay grade.
In what way do I go about that?
Anything that requires hitting that "advanced" tab makes me nervous.

WSS

Jim: That souinds a little ablove my pay grade. In what way do I go about that? Anything that requires hitting that "advanced" tab makes me nervous.

Make note of the voltage and timing on the RAM sticks.
Go into the BIOS and manually set the voltage and timing for the RAM.
Note: You'll need to do this with two sticks installed.

If that doesn't solve the situation, you can try a BIOS update.
If that fails, you'll need to swap out the RAM.

Hi Steve,

That's the model number.
The voltage should be listed on the sticker... along with the proper timing.
If not, look up that model number to get the proper voltage/timing settings (definitely not 667 )

Hi Steve,

Sounds like the RAM is DDR2/667MHz
If the RAM speed is currently set to 800MHz, you're over-clocking the new RAM.
That's a problem... (if you're partial to stability)   


Set the voltage for the RAM
Set the RAM timing (5 5 5 15)
Set the RAM multiplier so the final RAM speed is 667MHz