Acer Aspire 5742, after updating the RAM the unit will not boot.

winston66
winston66 Member Posts: 4 New User
edited February 28 in Aspire Laptops

Hi,

I've been trying to update the RAM on the above laptop from the pre installed 3GB to a Crucial 2 x 4GB kit. I've tried every permutation going and the computer will not boot.

I get the ACER screen, then the windows logo screen with "preparing automatic repair" beneath the window and then the screen is full of thin vertical coloured lines and it stays like that. I put the old packs back in and it boots. The only driver update I've found on the ACER site is dated 2012 which I've downloaded but still no joy. I've also taken out the CMOS battery a couple of times before putting one new ram pack in at a time - no joy.

Can anyone please help with this problem.

TIA

[Edited the thread to add issue detail]

Answers

  • Puraw
    Puraw ACE, Member Posts: 13,414 Trailblazer
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/701381/acer-aspire-5742-after-updating-the-ram-the-unit-will-not-boot

    It should work, as long as you are using a RAM that is
    204 pins
    pc8500
    DDR3 1066mhz

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 12,165 Trailblazer
    edited February 29
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/701381/acer-aspire-5742-after-updating-the-ram-the-unit-will-not-boot

    The below specs are the official Acer SG memory specifications for the Aspire 5742 laptop and the type of ram modules that you should use for this laptop to boot properly. If you can't get these exact modules, go to Crucial Ram as they might have appropriate Aspire 5742 ram that will work with the laptop. If you want drivers or bios files, go to Help Drivers as they have 46 files for Acer Aspire 5742G. Good luck and hope this helps you out further.

    image.png
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    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

  • winston66
    winston66 Member Posts: 4 New User

    Thanks for the detailed reply

    The kit I've purchased from Crucial has the following specification:

    DDR3 -1600 - CL - = 11 non EU SODIMM

    204 pin 1.35v 2R x 8 PC3 - 12800

    Crucial RAM CT2KIT51264BF160BJ 8Go Kit (2x4Go) DDR3 1600 MHz CL11 Mémoire d’ordinateur Portable

    Crucial RAM CT2KIT51264BF160BJ 8Go Kit (2x4Go) DDR3 1600 MHz CL11 Mémoire d’ordinateur Portable

    Is the speed of 1600 MHz the problem. I've used the Crucial scanner to identify the correct pack and when I telephoned Crucial directly they also confirmed it is compatible.

    The list of drivers and bios files that you have listed refers to the 5742G, does this list also apply to my 5742 ?

    The only other thought that occurs to me is that the computer has been upgraded to windows 10, Would this have a bearing.

    Thanks very much for the help.

    Regards

    winston

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 12,165 Trailblazer
    edited February 29
    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1262351#Comment_1262351

    That is great, so the ram should work now, as Crucial guarantee their ram to work from their scans which should give you 8GB dual channel ram at DDR3-1600Mhz. Also, and if you have Win-10 upgrade (which is much better) upgrade the boot 2.5" mechanical SATA drive to a 2.5" SATA SSD drive as it will work much quicker with 8GB dual channel ram and the 2.5" SSD boot drive.

    The difference between the Aspire 5742 and the 5742G 5742ZG are their gpu's like below, 5742 has an 8x dvd while the 5742G 5742ZG has a 4X Blu-ray Disc and the adapter, the 5742G 5742ZG have a 90 W AC adapter.

    Aspire 5742 gpu:

    • Intel® HD Graphics with 128 MB of dedicated system memory, supporting Microsoft® DirectX® 10

    Aspire 5742G and the 5742ZG gpu's:

    • NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 420M with 1024 MB of dedicated DDR3 VRAM, supporting NVIDIA®
      CUDA™, PhysX™, PureVideo® HD technology, OpenEXR High Dynamic-Range (HDR)
      technology, Shader Model 5.0, Microsoft® DirectX® 11
    • ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5470 with 512 MB of dedicated DDR3 VRAM, supporting Unified Video
      Decoder (UVD), OpenEXR High Dynamic-Range (HDR) technology, Shader Model 5.0,
      Microsoft® DirectX® 11, OpenGL® 3.1, OpenCL™ 1.1

    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

  • winston66
    winston66 Member Posts: 4 New User

    Hi StevenGen,

    Thanks once again for the detailed response but I'm confused over the speeds. The kit that has been sent is 1600 Mhz and in the table that you kindly provided before it says "supports DDR 3 800/1066/1300 Mhz but the one I have is 1600 Mhz. The table also says that it supports a DIMM speed of 800/1066 Mhz SDRAM ????

    Regards,

    Winston

    ps As you have probably already realised I'm not too hot on the technicals :)

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