RAM upgrade problem, voices & vicodin

Hi! I just installed a 1GB Kingston (KVR400X64C3A/1G) memory stick to boost my RAM to a total of 2GB (sole reason was for running CS3). I've recieved some helpful replies here before so I was wondering if some computer savvy people out there could help me out.

Using desktop PC, Win XP Pro (SP 2). P4 CPU 3.00 GHz. Currently showing in system properties: 2.99 GHz, 2.00 GB of RAM.

Great.

After installing and booting up like normal, everything worked for about 15 mins. Then my computer shut off and rebooted on it's own. (I was browsing POTN and other websites).
CS3 nor Bridge was open.

Strange thing was when it was rebooting my computer spoke to me. A woman's voice tells me
"Your AGP we have a problem"
And by "we" she means "me"....
I'm actually on vicodin right now as I just had some surgery yesterday but I swear what I heard was real

The audio message wasn't repeated and my system booted up properly.

After opening up Bridge and starting to review some photos the system shut off and rebooted with the lovely female voice telling me I've, yet again, done something wrong.

Question: Do I need to change something in my BIOS or system properties or some other area to get it my system to accept the extra RAM (I'm assuming it's the new RAM that is causing the rebooting issues as I've never had this problem before...well women tell me I do stuff wrong all the time...but that's another story...):p .

I checked Kingstons' website before I purschased to see if it is compatible with my motherboard (AOpen 4X4C).

I don't know if this matters but the configuration for the 4 memory bays/slots on the mother board is:
bay 1 = 512 mb
bay 2 = NEW 1 GB
bay 3 = 512 mb
bay 4 = damaged the bay by yours truly trying to intall a 512 stick a couple weeks ago. Sent it back for the 1 GB that resides in bay 2.

Also during the various black boot up screens that flash quickly before the "Windows XP" splash logo I see the following:
CPU 200 MHz,
DRAM 400 MHz,
AGP 66.67 MHz,
PCI 33.37 MHz.
I mention this only because I recognized the "AGP" from my new girlfriends nagging...

Any ideas/tips?
Right now I'm using my laptop and watching my desktop cycle through start up then rebooting over and over...

If I can't get it sorted out I'll just remove the 1GB stick and live with the two 512's...but I don't want to if it a simply adjustment I need to make. I'll stop the vicodin in a few days but I'm sure the voices will continue untill I bend to her wishes.

Thanks!

Sometimes RAM sticks won't go it alone, they need to be in pairs....
Try removing the 1 gig stick and use the 512's in bay 1+2 and check for the nagging voice
If all is ok add the 1gig to bay 3 and give it a shot
if it's a no go, you may need to use 2 x 1gig sticks in bay 1+2

Good luck

edit: oh yeah, and get off the drugs... there was never really any voice..... JOKE

the voice had an aussie accent...so it makes it that much harder to get off the painkillers and fix the problem. I'll hate to see her go....
Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a go now!

Ahhh yes, intoxicated computer hardware upgrades...always worked for me

Just as a test, I would remove your other 2 sticks to try and isolate the problem. If that doesn't work try it without the new ram, just to make sure it isn't a coincidance and there is something else wrong with your pc.

What Sathi said is pretty much what I'd do too. Did you flash or upgrade your bios? If it's saying that you have 2GB then it's obviously working. Also, do a google search for known conflicts (you'll need your MB or Chipset number and your RAM serial number etc etc). Also, was the RAM bought legit? A nice little RAM virus that has an annoying chick's voice would be kinda cool...as long as it's not mine.

Finally, did you take your tabs with any alcohol? Could explain everything!

EDIT: Isn't AGP an anti-virus program? You might have a bit of a problem there.

csm328 wrote in post #3297212
EDIT: Isn't AGP an anti-virus program? You might have a bit of a problem there.

The voice is from a troubleshooting feature on Aopen mobo.
AGP refers to the AGP slot

csm328 wrote in post #3297212
EDIT: Isn't AGP an anti-virus program? You might have a bit of a problem there.

AGP => Advanced Graphics Port
Formerly the King of interfaces, now just a Jester. The new King is PCI-E X16.

csm328 wrote in post #3297212
What Sathi said is pretty much what I'd do too. Did you flash or upgrade your bios? If it's saying that you have 2GB then it's obviously working. Also, do a google search for known conflicts (you'll need your MB or Chipset number and your RAM serial number etc etc). Also, was the RAM bought legit? A nice little RAM virus that has an annoying chick's voice would be kinda cool...as long as it's not mine.

Update: Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I didn't flash or upgrade my bios and the RAM is legit from Kingston, purchased via Amazon.com.

It seems (as fivegallon suggested) moving the original 2 x 512 sticks into bays 1 & 2 respectively and then the new 1 GB stick into bay 3 helped...to an extent...

She booted up fine, no voices, etc. and 'system properties' is showing a full 2 GB or RAM but it threw my computers time/date outa whack. Sent the date back to like Jan. 2003. Could've been the mobo's original 'birthdate' (my computer was purchased in April 2003...yikes...).

And I guess my 'Windows Live OneCare' antivirus/firewall program didn't like the switching of the RAM sticks either. The software icon indicates my computer is at risk but provided no solutions or remedies.
Corrected the time/date, ran a full system tune up (defrag, virus check, etc) via 'Windows Live OneCare' and everything was clean yet the status icon didn't change, it is still 'red' (worst color/level of course).

So it seems I've traded one problem for another. Pretty ladies voice is gone (left computer on all night and it didn't reboot, etc.) but now I gotta work on why my anitvirus software doesn't believe my system is safe. Hmmmph....

I don't know how many 'Window Live OneCare' users out there...but for those reading...any suggestions? Thanks again!

Um, anything with Windows and Care in the same sentence is an oxymoron -- Are you certain you didn't get a trojan or virus?

If so, check the OneCare options menu to see if there's a part which scans your hardware and profiles for unexpected changes, see if you can select 'RESET" or something similar.

Off the wall, but you can try removing and re-seating the cards; your clock probably bombed if you disconnected/reconnect​ed the battery in the PC or if that battery is dying -- damage to bay 4 could cause all sorts of anamolies as well.

hortonsl62 wrote in post #3298077
Um, anything with Windows and Care in the same sentence is an oxymoron -- Are you certain you didn't get a trojan or virus?

If so, check the OneCare options menu to see if there's a part which scans your hardware and profiles for unexpected changes, see if you can select 'RESET" or something similar.

Ha! Yes oxymoron for someone on oxycodone!
I'll look into the settings as suggested. As for the trojan or virus? All virus updates are current and system is clean as far as Win OneCare can see.

Incidentally, I think you are right about various anamolies, given the damaged unused bay #4 and the unconventional 2 x 512 mb and 1 GB stick configuration.
After a simple reboot. Win OneCare is back to showing a safe system but the LADY's voice came back! Everything seems to be running OK. Adobe Bridge is running in the background and no automatic rebooting has occurred, yet...

My graphics card (Raedeon is old), and although, video works well I've issues with it in the past. I'll look at updating and revisions from their website.

I just want CS3/Bridge to run efficiently. Thus the upgrade to RAM. If I have to deal with a voice from the graphics card everytime I boot up, fine.

But I have several options you all have given me to work on to sort it out...thanks again! Anyone for a Mac vs. PC debate? (KIDDING, JOKE, SORRY!!!)

Update your BIOS, rollback your drivers and who in their right mind would buy a CRapple?

I've had problems with 2 different ram brands in my machine in the past, caused random lock ups and reboots (I buy the same brand, speed, timings when I upgrade memory).
Is your machine running fine now other than the Windows One Care issue?

Zepher wrote in post #3299249
I've had problems with 2 different ram brands in my machine in the past, caused random lock ups and reboots (I buy the same brand, speed, timings when I upgrade memory).
Is your machine running fine now other than the Windows One Care issue?

Yes...all is well for now. Win One Care is indicating a good status (green). I didn't do anything other than correct the date/time and reboot so I guess it was a one time glich...

I've had the computer on for several hours with Bridge open and about 1000 photos in thumbnail preview under 'content' tab and nothing has trip the reboot demons. Haven't done any PP'ing of RAW photos in ACR yet though. I'd imagine that might tax my system a bit more.

Still going to update bios and graphics card firmware (if there is one).

As for matching RAM. Existing 512's are Kingston as is the new 1GB. Gotta double check if the speed and timing is matching.

jgogums wrote in post #3299541
I've had the computer on for several hours with Bridge open and about 1000 photos in thumbnail preview under 'content' tab and nothing has trip the reboot demons. Haven't done any PP'ing of RAW photos in ACR yet though. I'd imagine that might tax my system a bit more.

It may not be worh worrying about, but Windows doesn't always tickle bad memory if it hasn't been driven hard. Work had a laptop that worked fine in Windows, but constantly rebooted in Linux; turned out that the second memory DIMM was faulty.

If you want to test memory, something like memtest86 (http://www.memtest86.c​om/) would be preferred ... it's free and operating system neutral.