NEW RAM NOT WORKING FULLY

Ajendra25

Hi,
I'm having Acer aspire 5740, i3-330M, 3GB RAM, Windows 10 32 Bit installed on laptop.

I want to upgrade RAM, so i purchased Corsair 4GB DDR3L 1600Mhz RAM.
My stock RAM set was: 1 + 2 GB DDR3 1066 Mhz 

1) Now when I installed New 4 GB DDR3 1600 RAM with 2 GB DDR3 1033 RAM, it's showing only 2.80 usable memory instead of 6 GB, remaining memory is hardware reserved.
(I've already checked Msconfig & Maximum Memory is unchecked there).

2) When I install only New 4GB 1600Mhz RAM, my laptop doesn't boot up, it shows Green/Blue screen error!!

Is there a RAM configuration issue or what?? May I able to use this New RAM with my laptop or not?

Can you please help me out with this???
I'll appreciate your help.

Thanks.

aphanic

I'm glad those two can work in dual channel mode

But nope, it the new one will be using the profile for 1066 MHz and won't ever get past that, despite what the Task Manager may state. If you go to the Memory tab in CPU-Z for example I bet the "DRAM Frequency" listed under timings will never get past ~533 MHz (you can see it change from time to time depending on what you're doing with the PC).

That's the only way they can work in sync, even when there is a tad of a different in tRAS. Same goes for the voltage, I bet both are working at 1.5v, but it's interesting to see HWiNFO report the new module as using 1.35v because DDR3 works at 1.5v (per spec), so that's actually a mislabeled DDR3L module that supports both voltages

In any case, if you can use the system as usual and you get no errors or anything everything's fine, congrats!

ctx1769

Hi, the reason not all your memory is showing is because Windows is 32bit not 64bit. It is down to maths 64 bit will see something like 14 tb of ram as 32bit will only see 3.82 gb ram approximate. So there is nothing wrong with the physical ram just the maths. 

Commodore_1995#

@ctx1769 there is another possibility: some chipsets do not accept the ddr3 and ddr3L rams to work together. Ideally, it should send some screenshots of the rams memories settings, using the cpuz program.

Ajendra25

ctx1769 said:

Hi, the reason not all your memory is showing is because Windows is 32bit not 64bit. It is down to maths 64 bit will see something like 14 tb of ram as 32bit will only see 3.82 gb ram approximate. So there is nothing wrong with the physical ram just the maths. 

Thanks for quick response. 

Yes, I got to know that but it should show 4 GB instead of 3 GB. 

And now I installed Win 7 x64, it doesn't boot up system now.

I've checked combining with and without Old RAM!! It just gives Bootloops and BSOD error!!

Now what could be the problem?

Ajendra25

egydiocoelho said:

@ctx1769 there is another possibility: some chipsets do not accept the ddr3 and ddr3L rams to work together. Ideally, it should send some screenshots of the rams memories settings, using the cpuz program.

I've just installed Win 7 64-Bit, but now the New RAM is not working, which was working in Win 10, combining with Old RAM!

So i am unable to send CPU-Z details!!

I've purchased this RAM, because they have mentioned this RAM will work on both 1.35v & 1.50v.

What's the solution now? Is it Frequency issue or Voltage issue? 
I've checked Amazon, now all 4GB DDR3 RAMs come with DDRL only, there's no 1.50v Variant available !!!

aphanic

Let's see, don't worry and just keep calm

DDR3L is kind of a low voltage version of DDR3, it is pin-compatible with DDR3 (which means that you can put DDR3L where DDR3 is). Because it was meant to be compatible, all DDR3L modules support working at either 1.35v or 1.5v. The problem is not the voltage but something else.

The amount available issue has already been sorted I believe, to be able to use more than 4 GB of RAM you need to be using a 64-bit version of the operating system (in practice). So you did well by replacing your 32-bit Windows 7 installation.

The issue I see here has to do with the RAM frequency. I went into some detail in a thread I'll link you to in the end but basically your processor, the i3 330M, along with the chosen chipset by the manufacturer, determines the kind of RAM you can use.

Let's take a look at the specs of the 330M:



It reads there that it likes DDR3 either at 800 or 1066 MHz and from what you have posted your original RAM was 1066 MHz so that's good. The new is rated at 1600 MHz, which is more than what the processor and memory controller expect, but it is not the only frequency it can run at. It can run at lower frequencies as well, for example, take a look at the following picture of the RAM stick I have installed in my machine:



It's a different kind of memory (and you should think of those frequency numbers as half of what it is stated in the RAM sticks, the first D of DDR stands for double). The point is, that even though it is designed to be run at 2666 MHz, it can also run at 2400, 2133 and 1866 MHz. Well, the same thing happens to the RAM you bought, it is rated at 1600 but it has profiles to be run at lower speeds if the memory controller doesn't support 1600.

There's a catch though, they generally don't specify the profiles they embedded in the RAM, much less the timings of it at other speeds other than the one advertised.

But all of that is automatic, you don't have to do a thing, you just plug the memory in and they (processor, memory controller, etc.) agree on how it's going to work.

That's only half of the story though, that is when the module is alone. When there are more than 1 stick, not only they both need to be able to run at the same speed, but they need to do it at the same time so to speak. In that same screenshot, it is represented by the columns to the right of the frequency one: CAS (you may see this marked as CL in the stick), RCD, RC and RAS are the main ones.

That is where the problem may stem in my opinion, maybe, just maybe, even though the new stick is able to run at 1066 MHz which is what the processor expects it doesn't match the timings of the other stick and they don't work together.

I'd like you to run a test of sorts:

• Plug in only the new module.
• Upon powering your laptop press F2 repeatedly until you get to a bluish screen, there ought to be an information tab in there.
• Look for something along the lines of "Total memory" and tell us the number, then shut down your machine. You can repeat the operation with different configurations if you'd like, but I'm just curious if the machine is able to work with the new chip for now.

If that firmware configuration utility (kind of the heart of the thing) is able to see and recognize its size correctly, it means that the RAM chip works on your computer. We will not know at which timings, or speed yet, because we can't access Windows for now; but we'll know it's compatible. Reinstalling Windows could help you run the utilities you need if the BIOS is happy with just that chip, let us know if you needed assistance for that too.

If you heard some beeps upon powering up, or the number written in there was different or just plain 0 then the chip is not compatible with your machine (i.e. there's no way for it to run at 800 or 1066 MHz) and you'd have to return it, which being Amazon I bet there'd be no problem.

To delve more into the matter here's the thread I talked about earlier, but feel free to ask any doubts you may have: https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/608352/guide-how-to-find-out-if-you-can-upgrade-the-ram-and-which-one-you-need

Ajendra25

aphanic said:

Let's see, don't worry and just keep calm

DDR3L is kind of a low voltage version of DDR3, it is pin-compatible with DDR3 (which means that you can put DDR3L where DDR3 is). Because it was meant to be compatible, all DDR3L modules support working at either 1.35v or 1.5v. The problem is not the voltage but something else.

The amount available issue has already been sorted I believe, to be able to use more than 4 GB of RAM you need to be using a 64-bit version of the operating system (in practice). So you did well by replacing your 32-bit Windows 7 installation.

The issue I see here has to do with the RAM frequency. I went into some detail in a thread I'll link you to in the end but basically your processor, the i3 330M, along with the chosen chipset by the manufacturer, determines the kind of RAM you can use.

Let's take a look at the specs of the 330M:



It reads there that it likes DDR3 either at 800 or 1066 MHz and from what you have posted your original RAM was 1066 MHz so that's good. The new is rated at 1600 MHz, which is more than what the processor and memory controller expect, but it is not the only frequency it can run at. It can run at lower frequencies as well, for example, take a look at the following picture of the RAM stick I have installed in my machine:



It's a different kind of memory (and you should think of those frequency numbers as half of what it is stated in the RAM sticks, the first D of DDR stands for double). The point is, that even though it is designed to be run at 2666 MHz, it can also run at 2400, 2133 and 1866 MHz. Well, the same thing happens to the RAM you bought, it is rated at 1600 but it has profiles to be run at lower speeds if the memory controller doesn't support 1600.

There's a catch though, they generally don't specify the profiles they embedded in the RAM, much less the timings of it at other speeds other than the one advertised.

But all of that is automatic, you don't have to do a thing, you just plug the memory in and they (processor, memory controller, etc.) agree on how it's going to work.

That's only half of the story though, that is when the module is alone. When there are more than 1 stick, not only they both need to be able to run at the same speed, but they need to do it at the same time so to speak. In that same screenshot, it is represented by the columns to the right of the frequency one: CAS (you may see this marked as CL in the stick), RCD, RC and RAS are the main ones.

That is where the problem may stem in my opinion, maybe, just maybe, even though the new stick is able to run at 1066 MHz which is what the processor expects it doesn't match the timings of the other stick and they don't work together.

I'd like you to run a test of sorts:

• Plug in only the new module.
• Upon powering your laptop press F2 repeatedly until you get to a bluish screen, there ought to be an information tab in there.
• Look for something along the lines of "Total memory" and tell us the number, then shut down your machine. You can repeat the operation with different configurations if you'd like, but I'm just curious if the machine is able to work with the new chip for now.

If that firmware configuration utility (kind of the heart of the thing) is able to see and recognize its size correctly, it means that the RAM chip works on your computer. We will not know at which timings, or speed yet, because we can't access Windows for now; but we'll know it's compatible. Reinstalling Windows could help you run the utilities you need if the BIOS is happy with just that chip, let us know if you needed assistance for that too.

If you heard some beeps upon powering up, or the number written in there was different or just plain 0 then the chip is not compatible with your machine (i.e. there's no way for it to run at 800 or 1066 MHz) and you'd have to return it, which being Amazon I bet there'd be no problem.

To delve more into the matter here's the thread I talked about earlier, but feel free to ask any doubts you may have: https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/608352/guide-how-to-find-out-if-you-can-upgrade-the-ram-and-which-one-you-need

Thanks a lot for this in-depth explanation!

Now, I've already installed Windows 7 X64, but the major problem is Windows doesn't boot up!
-I've checked Plugged in Just New Module
- I've tried combining it with Old module, but no luck.
- Earlier in Win 10 32Bit, New Module was working, if i combine that with Old module; but didn't work when I just plugged in single new Module.
-Yes, in BIOS info, it recognises my New module, everytime. 
* When booting Windows, it gives Green/Blue screen error like "PAGE FAULT IN NON PAGED AREA" and some other errors! 

And yes, I was doing some research, and found on Intel website that my processor supports 800/1033 DDR3 MODULES.

I just don't understand, what's the exact issue !!! Plz help me out, I'm frustrated!

I've checked online, now it's a very hard to find 1066 DDR3 RAMs & each 4GB ddr3 RAMs now come with DDR3L !!

Can you please tell me, it may be a Frequent issue or Voltage issue??

If I buy, 4GB 1333MHZ 1.5V Module, should it work perfectly??

Ajendra25

Erros i was getting in Windows 10 32 Bit, when using Single New Module of 4 GB.

aphanic

Voltage should be no problem, DDR3L is able to work at both, but if you're concerned about that and you find DDR3 that's good too.

So right now you have Windows 7 installed, but it doesn't boot with the new RAM stick. I wonder how we can get detailed information on the sticks. I'm interested in knowing at which profile the new stick is running and it may be incompatible with the system after all, who knows.

Would it be possible for you to install a 64-bit version of Windows 10 cleanly? It doesn't really matter if it is with the new module installed or the old ones, but I think I speak for everyone when I say that we need more data to assess the situation.

There's a guide on how to install 10 cleanly just in case too: https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/893916/#Comment_893916

Ajendra25

aphanic said:

Voltage should be no problem, DDR3L is able to work at both, but if you're concerned about that and you find DDR3 that's good too.

So right now you have Windows 7 installed, but it doesn't boot with the new RAM stick. I wonder how we can get detailed information on the sticks. I'm interested in knowing at which profile the new stick is running and it may be incompatible with the system after all, who knows.

Would it be possible for you to install a 64-bit version of Windows 10 cleanly? It doesn't really matter if it is with the new module installed or the old ones, but I think I speak for everyone when I say that we need more data to assess the situation.

There's a guide on how to install 10 cleanly just in case too: https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/893916/#Comment_893916

Now I'm installing Windows 10 64 Bit, let's see what happens...!!

Can you please tell me what type of data you need to examine the situation?

aphanic

Sure, if/when you're able to access Windows we'd like to know information on the RAM chips themselves. There are 3 programs that display the kinds of things that are interesting, one is CPU-Z, and we'd be interested in the Memory and SPD tabs. It looks like this:



You will see in the Timings section that the DRAM Frequency goes up and down, I'd like to know if it works with the new stick what is the highest it gets.

You can see the same with another program called HWiNFO:



The interesting part here is in the right side of that summary, the memory modules and again the frequency, this time the one changing would be the one called "Clock" at the lower right section of that screenshot.

And the last application (you don't have to show us all by the way) is Thaiphoon Burner (the free version is fine), it shows pretty much all of the details of the sticks installed. That's the screenshot I uploaded earlier on.

If we could see the data on all of the 3 chips, even if they were connected separately, like in 3 different reboots, it would help us know if they are compatible among each other or you should look at exchanging the new one for another one, because I think the new one may not be able to work together with any of the old ones.

Ajendra25

Now I'm on Win 10 X64, New Module didn't work Standalone or Combination with Old modules!!
Yes, but it was recognised by BIOS.

When i installed a Single module, the same BSOD i was getting.
I'm wondering how it worked on Win 10 32Bit, combining with old module!!

I've attached Memory details of both Old sticks, unable to get details of New module.
But, I've got it from someone's review from my product of Amazon, they said it has latency of 11-11-11-28.
It sounds crazy, but i hope it will be helpful to you.

Ajendra25

aphanic said:

Sure, if/when you're able to access Windows we'd like to know information on the RAM chips themselves. There are 3 programs that display the kinds of things that are interesting, one is CPU-Z, and we'd be interested in the Memory and SPD tabs. 

Sorry I forgot to mention you. Please check my above post.

aphanic

Don't worry, I have activated the option to be notified of new replies in topics I write to because it gets crazy following them otherwise.

From what I see here, both your older chips are running at 1066 MHz CL7, their primary timings are 7-7-7-20. That the new stick doesn't work tells me it isn't really compatible with your system, for some reason, because generally you can exchange RAM sticks without Windows crashing.

I think I would return that stick and find another, where are you based on? I mean, which Amazon are you using? I just checked in the Spanish one and there are still lots of DDR3 (L or not) at 1066 MHz and they even sell them in packs! Which is always preferable, getting a 2x 4GB pack for example, you'd end up with 8 GB of RAM and you'd know it works.

Search for "DDR3 1066 SODIMM", without the L, and you should be golden, I even saw some modules that are CL7 as well, just like the ones you have at that frequency.

Ajendra25

aphanic said:

Don't worry, I have activated the option to be notified of new replies in topics I write to because it gets crazy following them otherwise.

From what I see here, both your older chips are running at 1066 MHz CL7, their primary timings are 7-7-7-20. That the new stick doesn't work tells me it isn't really compatible with your system, for some reason, because generally you can exchange RAM sticks without Windows crashing.

I think I would return that stick and find another, where are you based on? I mean, which Amazon are you using? I just checked in the Spanish one and there are still lots of DDR3 (L or not) at 1066 MHz and they even sell them in packs! Which is always preferable, getting a 2x 4GB pack for example, you'd end up with 8 GB of RAM and you'd know it works.

Search for "DDR3 1066 SODIMM", without the L, and you should be golden, I even saw some modules that are CL7 as well, just like the ones you have at that frequency.

That means, it's incompatible because of letancy different right! I've returned it already.

No actually I'm from India. I searched on many Popular E- commerce here, but i couldn't find 4GB DDR3 1066Mhz, only 2GB modules available. 

May I purchase 4GB DDR3 1333 stick?? I'm giving some links, please check it:
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B00OKE1NW6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3w6lFb7W6YDXA

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B00HJKPYRS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Ox6lFb61WX6T8

Now, what should I consider to buy a perfect stick for my system??
As being said, voltage/frequency doesn't matter right? So now do i need to check Letancy?

And Thanks a lot for your quick and very helpful responses.

aphanic

Voltage is standard depending on the RAM type, so yep, you can forget about that. DDR3 which is what you had works at 1.5v and DDR3L works at both 1.5v or 1.35v.

Frequency is important though, because your processor is the one setting the limit to 1066 MHz max. I just checked Amazon India and you're right, the supply of DDR3-1066 is somewhat limited over there , if you want to use any of your current modules as well the timings need to match, that's the problem, we're not going to know those timing numbers at frequencies lower than advertised until the chip is plugged in.

Out of the two you mentioned, I think I would get the first one and try my luck, see if that works. It's fulfilled by so it uses their logistics network and the memory chips in that "Simmtronics" seem to by made by Hynix as well which was the brand of the second link. Plus it's cheaper.

Another option would be eBay, there seem to be plenty of sellers over there, from China though so time of delivery wouldn't be as quick, selling even matching kits of RAM at 1066 MHz of different brands. But if they don't work returning those may be complicated...

Ajendra25

aphanic said:

Voltage is standard depending on the RAM type, so yep, you can forget about that. DDR3 which is what you had works at 1.5v and DDR3L works at both 1.5v or 1.35v.

Frequency is important though, because your processor is the one setting the limit to 1066 MHz max. I just checked Amazon India and you're right, the supply of DDR3-1066 is somewhat limited over there , if you want to use any of your current modules as well the timings need to match, that's the problem, we're not going to know those timing numbers at frequencies lower than advertised until the chip is plugged in.

Out of the two you mentioned, I think I would get the first one and try my luck, see if that works. It's fulfilled by so it uses their logistics network and the memory chips in that "Simmtronics" seem to by made by Hynix as well which was the brand of the second link. Plus it's cheaper.

Another option would be eBay, there seem to be plenty of sellers over there, from China though so time of delivery wouldn't be as quick, selling even matching kits of RAM at 1066 MHz of different brands. But if they don't work returning those may be complicated...

What if New Module has timing of 11 and mine one is CL7, so I can't use it together?? So that's the thing, it should match to work 2 modules together, m i correct?

So now it's hard to find perfect RAM for my laptop, and i wouldn't buy from China due to some recent events you know! But thanks for suggestion.

I'll try my luck on Simmtronics 1333, i think it would also having timing of 11 !! 
Let's see...when i get it! 

aphanic

You're correct, the first number must be the same, but they only advertise the number for the main frequency, for the others they won't say it. So you can't trust that CL11 of the Simmtronics because that's the CAS latency at 1333 MHz, and your laptop will run that memory at 1066 MHz max. The latency is bound to be smaller, hell it could very well be 7 and it would play nice with the ones you have.

That's why when I upgrade the RAM of machines that have more than 1 slot I just discard whatever the machine has, sell that on eBay for example and get matching sticks, those sold in pairs. No headaches for me about timings and I'm guaranteed they work together for sure.

Maybe they're then incompatible with my machine for whatever other reason, but timing-wise, they're a perfect match.

And yes, I understand the relationship between India and China isn't at its best right now . Let's hope that module works at least! Even if you had to take out all of the other modules at least you would have increased your RAM to 4 GB.

Ajendra25

aphanic said:

You're correct, the first number must be the same, but they only advertise the number for the main frequency, for the others they won't say it. So you can't trust that CL11 of the Simmtronics because that's the CAS latency at 1333 MHz, and your laptop will run that memory at 1066 MHz max. The latency is bound to be smaller, hell it could very well be 7 and it would play nice with the ones you have.

That's why when I upgrade the RAM of machines that have more than 1 slot I just discard whatever the machine has, sell that on eBay for example and get matching sticks, those sold in pairs. No headaches for me about timings and I'm guaranteed they work together for sure.

Maybe they're then incompatible with my machine for whatever other reason, but timing-wise, they're a perfect match.

And yes, I understand the relationship between India and China isn't at its best right now . Let's hope that module works at least! Even if you had to take out all of the other modules at least you would have increased your RAM to 4 GB.

Yeah have ordered Simmtronics, hope it will work!

And yes, i forget to tell u that when I've used New 4GB module with old 2 GB module in Win10 32Bit, it was showing 1600 Mhz in Task Manager, SS attached.
I'm wondering it should have worked at 1033, however it was working at 1600 !!!

But the problem was it wasn't able to utilise Full capacity.

Ya that would be better to use 2 same modules, but firstly it need to be work as a standalone! 😟
Are you from Acer support team?

aphanic

Ajendra25 said:
Are you from Acer support team?

Not at all , I'm completely unrelated to the company, just like the majority of people over here we're just users who participate sharing our opinions and helping if possible.

There are plenty of times I can't say anything, because I have no idea what the problem is about and I'd rather only contribute if I know about the topic or I can help in any way.

Ajendra25

Yeah that's cool! You're doin great job. 
And yes, new Module is on the way.. will update the status when i get it