Memory Upgrade - XP will not start

[JimP]

I have an older system P3/800MHz which has been upgraded
to XP Pro from ME. It was working okay with one 256 MB PC-
100 SDRAM, but I felt that more memory would be helpful. I
added a second 256 MB PC-100 SDRAM memory module to the
second slot and booted up. The message that I got
was "Windows did not start normally" I tried all the
choices for starting: normally, last known good menu, and
safe mode variations to no avail. It always comes back to
the same screen. I removed the memory and cleared all dust
from the socket a second time, reinstalled, and still got
the same result. I find that either the older or newer 256
MB units [both are PNY, newer is p/n 256S100, older is
3944410, I wanted to avoid any mismatch problems] will
work fine in slot 1, but no luck with both installed
regardless of the order. The PC is an HP 8755C. I do not
have the details on the mother board with me. What is
recommended? Do I need to revise the CMOS settings?

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

Try with either stick installed..... and if XP is happy, it proves to you
that you have mismatched memory, no matter what PNY say. XP is very fussy
about RAM.... Try www.crucial.com

 

[Alvin Brown]

Hello

Well sounds like maybe you need to do a Bios Update bye
going and looking up your pc model and type and see if they
are any bios updates for your system provided by the MFG
of your system

Alvin

 

[Nathan McNulty]

Also, as Alvin suggested, a BIOS update may be needed. I would suggest
trying to set the RAM to the lowest speeds possible in the BIOS and see
if they work together, then up it from there after each successful
loading of Windows. PNY is a very good brand of memory and you
shouldn't be running into these problems. See if the newer stick even
lets Windows load (without the old stick in). If it doesn't, you may
have just gotten a bad stick. Unfortunately, this is something that
just happens. The manufacturing process isn't flawless yet (and
probably never will be)