I removed a stick of RAM from my computer, now its almost unusable.

[Chris.Seelinger]

I made a very pragmatic, albeit ignorant, decision to speed up one of
my computers by removing 512mb of RAM from another computer that had 2
sticks of 512mb RAM, and the operation was a 50% success.

The computer that received the new RAM is now running with 256mb in one
slot and 512mb in the other and is running better than ever.

The computer that "donated" the RAM is now running with one 512mb
stick, and BIOS and XP seem to recognize that, but now it wont even
boot up 90% of the time, and on those rare occasions when XP does load
up... its filled with random crashing, countless errors, and often the
resolution will be totally screwed up. It seems to go into Safe Mode
without much of a problem, but whenever I try to boot up regularly it
just won't happen.

When it fails to boot it often gets past the Windows loading screen,
turns black, flickers, and then automatically reboots and starts over.
The problem began almost immediately after I removed the said stick of
RAM and while there hasn't been any definitive diagnosis, the problems
are so extremely varied, (Resolution changes, random crashings,
programs refusing to run, memory loss, winlogon.exe failing to run,
unable to boot), that the problem does seem centered around the removal
of the stick of RAM.

What remedies are available, assuming that buying another stick of RAM
and returning the 512mb stick back to the "troubled" computer are last
resorts.

 

[JS]

Try running this utility before you add any memory to the problem computer.
http://www.memtest86.com/

It will tell you if the existing memory is OK.

JS

 

[Glen]

Its very strange for removing one stick of ram to cause the second stick to
fail. Remove the stick thats left that seems to be causing the problem and
put the stick you took out back in. See what happens. If the problem clears
up its probably the other stick thats faulty. If it doesn't clear up put
both sticks back in and see what happens.

Run memtester on all computers but remember even if it shows nothing wrong
you might still have a memory fault. Swapping sticks of like for like memory
is the best way to fault find.

 

[Bob I]

Possible incorrect memory setting in the BIOS regarding interleave or
like wording since you removed one stick.

 

[Ghostrider]

I made a very pragmatic, albeit ignorant, decision to speed up one of
my computers by removing 512mb of RAM from another computer that had 2
sticks of 512mb RAM, and the operation was a 50% success.

The computer that received the new RAM is now running with 256mb in one
slot and 512mb in the other and is running better than ever.

The computer that "donated" the RAM is now running with one 512mb
stick, and BIOS and XP seem to recognize that, but now it wont even
boot up 90% of the time, and on those rare occasions when XP does load
up... its filled with random crashing, countless errors, and often the
resolution will be totally screwed up. It seems to go into Safe Mode
without much of a problem, but whenever I try to boot up regularly it
just won't happen.

When it fails to boot it often gets past the Windows loading screen,
turns black, flickers, and then automatically reboots and starts over.
The problem began almost immediately after I removed the said stick of
RAM and while there hasn't been any definitive diagnosis, the problems
are so extremely varied, (Resolution changes, random crashings,
programs refusing to run, memory loss, winlogon.exe failing to run,
unable to boot), that the problem does seem centered around the removal
of the stick of RAM.

What remedies are available, assuming that buying another stick of RAM
and returning the 512mb stick back to the "troubled" computer are last
resorts.

The first step to any pragmatic approach is to read and
learn beforehand. Not all computers are similar nor are
their internal components. Mixing of RAM can, at times,
be successful; and at other times, utterly devastating to
the units that are receiving mis-matched RAM sets or being
placed into a mismatched situation.

Return the memory to where they were. Research on how to
upgrade RAM by going to the websites of the memory makers,
e.g., Kingston, Corsair, etc. Get the modules in the proper
configuration to make the upgrade.

 

[Glen]

The guy said he REMOVED a stick off ram from a functioning computer and then
the problems started.

 

[Ghostrider]

The guy said he REMOVED a stick off ram from a functioning computer and then
the problems started.

But it is unknown what type of RAM was removed, e.g., RDRAM
vs. DDRAM vs. SDRAM, etc. Nor is it known the chipset that is
involved and whether the RAM should be installed in pairs or
singly. Or whether or not the system was set up for dual-channel
vs. single channel. The start of the problems on the donor system
indicates that something has gone wildly awry.

 

[Glen]

Yes but your answer was written as though the op had problems after
installing ram NOT removing.

 

[Alias]

I made a very pragmatic, albeit ignorant, decision to speed up one of
my computers by removing 512mb of RAM from another computer that had 2
sticks of 512mb RAM, and the operation was a 50% success.

The computer that received the new RAM is now running with 256mb in one
slot and 512mb in the other and is running better than ever.

The computer that "donated" the RAM is now running with one 512mb
stick, and BIOS and XP seem to recognize that, but now it wont even
boot up 90% of the time, and on those rare occasions when XP does load
up... its filled with random crashing, countless errors, and often the
resolution will be totally screwed up. It seems to go into Safe Mode
without much of a problem, but whenever I try to boot up regularly it
just won't happen.

When it fails to boot it often gets past the Windows loading screen,
turns black, flickers, and then automatically reboots and starts over.
The problem began almost immediately after I removed the said stick of
RAM and while there hasn't been any definitive diagnosis, the problems
are so extremely varied, (Resolution changes, random crashings,
programs refusing to run, memory loss, winlogon.exe failing to run,
unable to boot), that the problem does seem centered around the removal
of the stick of RAM.

What remedies are available, assuming that buying another stick of RAM
and returning the 512mb stick back to the "troubled" computer are last
resorts.

Did you remove the stick that is farthest from the processor or closest
to the processor?

Alias