[phluke]

Hello, I recently built my 5th computer and decided to go with 4gb of ram (two 2gb sticks). Obviously vista 32bit will include the Graphics card memory in the total 4gbs of allowable memory leaving me with only one of my two sticks getting recognized.

Not a problem I just installed the 64bit version and the installation went fine but when windows tries to boot for the first time I get a BSOD to flash right after the windows loading bar and my computer restarts and will do the same thing every time.

I've been sifting through every forum and others are having the same problem, vista 64 just wont boot with 4gbs of ram, it works fine with 2gbs though.

Sorry if this is a repost of an old problem, any help would be appreciated.
here are my specs;

MB: EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI

RAM: Patriot eXtreme Performance 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

GFX card: EVGA 320-P2-N815-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz

HD: Western digital 320GB SATA

[BFGBOY]

HI,
How do you know vista is the problem it could be something to do with one of the ram sticks or one of the ram ports in the motherboard. Have a look at thoses things first if still does not work it could be the copy of vista you have that is the problem. send it back and get a new one

hope this helps

[DaveA]

If you can, try booting with only one stick of RAM.

[phluke]

Thanks for the input guys. I am going to try a fix I read about, where you install with only 1 stick of ram apply a windows update and MB drivers and shutdown, add your other stick and reboot. I hope it works ill keep you posted. It just makes me mad that i even have to do that, it should just work... o well.

As far as it being a windows problem or not, the verdict is not in on that yet. I have heard one report that MS acknowledges the bug and said they are working on it, i have also heard that its a bios and vista communication error which could fall on vista or the bios manufacturer.

[phluke]

Fixed it, i found this in a different forum, hope it helps someone else.

confirmed this works, i was having the same problem with my Vista 64bit and i have an ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus.
All you do is go to this link

and make sure you have only 2 ram in, download and install, imediately shutdown, insert your remaining ram and there you go, it works.
------------------

I fixed it, third install is a charm, here are the steps, for a EVGA 680i MB, EVGA 8800GTX, patriot RAM.

1) Update MB BIOS to the latest version

2) Have downloaded and ready your latest MB drivers, Video, Sound Card, and any other HW ready on a USB drive.

3) Unplug your Internet network connection! Very important, to avoid Auto update during install i.e. wrong drivers being downloaded for your motherboard/HW causing blue screens. Example Nvidia 590 for a 680i MB.

4) Have all your hardware in except 2GB of RAM, leave those extra sticks out for now.

5) Format and install Vista x64 fresh, again no network cable!

6) Load your drivers starting with your Motherboard chip-set FIRST!, then video, sound, other HW...

7) Reconnect Internet/network cable and do all windows critical updates. Notice, less update then normal because you have the right drivers to start with.

8) Download the KB929777 patch make sure x64 Version 2 (V2).

9) Install your other 2GB after shutting down your PC of course, two reboots and up your voltage .05 or to max that RAM allows. e.g. I went from 2.0 to 2.05 on my OCZ Platinum to run four sticks at 4, 4, 4, 15.

10) stress test and memtest your system with your favorite tools or benchmarks. No blue-screens = your done.

[wtw1ster]

Yes, I have been running x64 Vista Ultimate with 2 x 1GB RAM for two days now with no problems. I went out and bought 2 x 1GB more and installed. I have gotten Vista to boot a couple of times, but most of the time it BSODs when Vista is booting (little status bar scrolling at bottom).

Here is my specs:
OS Dual Boot: Partition0 - Windows XP Pro
Partition1 - Vista Ultimate x64

MB: EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI

RAM: Corsair XMS2 (4 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

GFX card: EVGA GeForce 8800GTS 640MB

CPU: Intel Core Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz

HD: 320GB Seagate Perpendicular Recording

In order to further troubleshoot whether it is a bad stick of RAM, a bad slot on the motherboard, or a Vista issue (most likely) I am only installing 1 of the new sticks at a time. Currently I have one new one in and there are no problems. I will try 3 x 1GB with the other stick shortly.

*Note
Vista did install my motherboard drivers (or at least some). My NIC was functioning after Vista installation. I reinstalled the new drivers from the website, but that may not have fixed it. I will post back with updates....

[wtw1ster]

Ran Killdisk on HDD

Installed Windows XP Pro on 50GB Partition w/ 2 x 1GB RAM (No network cable plugged in)

Installed Windows Vista Ultimate x64 on 250GB Partition w/ 2 x 1GB RAM (No network cable plugged in)!!!

Updated Vista

Downloaded and installed "KB929777-v2-x64" <http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=91672C7C-614B-404C-850C-377541E93C18&displaylang=en>

Installed all 4 x 1GB RAM

Prayed to the Gods....

Vista Booted (Hurray - No BSOD)

Going to backup "Backup My Computer" (Start, then type "backup")

Thanks for the tip everything is fine now!