system almost hang after installing 4 gb ram

[chinchoon]

I am using windows XP home (SP3 installed) and have 2 GB RAM that is working
ok, but was a little slow when playing some games. I bought and install and
additional 2 GB and when I install them, the system slows down drastically.

When I check the task manager, it say the process MsMpEng.exe was using 50 %
of the CPU and usage remains at about 60 to 70 % when I am not doing
anything. When I open any apps, it will mostly never be complete. When I
remove the old RAM and leave the new RAM in, it is ok.

I have MSI 945 motherboard that can support 4 GB (4 banks) of RAM. Any one
has suggestion or encountered same problem? tanks

 

[Andrew E.]

Most MB require either single or dual side memory,are you combining the
two.Either way,try downloading microsoft memory & controller test utility,it
will quickly let you know if a hardware problem exists,install to a MS-DOS
formatted floppy,boot pc to floppy (a cd format might also be
available).Get the
utility at: http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

 

[Leonard Grey]

MsMpEng.exe is part of Microsoft Windows Defender, an anti-spyware
utility from Microsoft. I believe it's also used by Windows Live
OneCare, another Microsoft utility. When used by OneCare, the user
interface of OneCare replaces the UI of Defender.

By itself Defender/OneCare only uses a great deal of CPU when it's
actively scanning something.

Another possible cause for excessive CPU usage is if you also have a
third-party malware scanner installed. This is usually not a good idea.

 

[gabriel]

I am using windows XP home (SP3 installed) and have 2 GB RAM that is working
ok, but was a little slow when playing some games. I bought and install and
additional 2 GB and when I install them, the system slows down drastically.

When I check the task manager, it say the process MsMpEng.exe was using 50 %
of the CPU and usage remains at about 60 to 70 % when I am not doing
anything. When I open any apps, it will mostly never be complete. When I
remove the old RAM and leave the new RAM in, it is ok.

I have MSI 945 motherboard that can support 4 GB (4 banks) of RAM. Any one
has suggestion or encountered same problem? tanks

I don't know if it has anything to do with it but Windows XP can't
handle no more than 3GB of RAM.
If you remove your RAM update, is the problem then gone too?

Are you sure your motherboard can handle 4GB of RAM? maybe the BIOS says
you can, but can your memory controller handle 4GB of RAM? (try to seen
specs of motherboard)

 

[John John - MVP]

I don't know if it has anything to do with it but Windows XP can't
handle no more than 3GB of RAM.

That is incorrect, Windows XP 32-bit can handle 4GB of RAM. Because of
the reserved address space for hardware addressing Windows XP may not be
able to use all of the 4GB but that doesn't mean that it can't handle it.

John

 

[chinchoon]

My old and new RAMs are from the same company with the same speed, except
that the new RAM is the 'low profile' which is of a lower height (1.5 cm)
while the old RAM is about double the height. Seems that the only produce the
low profile RAM nowadays.

Anyway will download the utility and test out the RAM. Thanks.

Will put up a post if I manage to solve to problem.

 

[chinchoon]

Most likely not the problem, since when I remove the old RAM and use only the
new ones, the system startup ok. Similarly, when I just use the old RAM, the
problem did not occur.

Thanks for the info on the msmpeng.exe being a windows defender program.

 

[David B.]

A 3rd party malware scanner isn't a good idea? Since when? You may not want
a real time one, but there's no way I'd rely on Windows Defender as the ONLY
scanner.

 

[gabriel]

That is incorrect, Windows XP 32-bit can handle 4GB of RAM. Because of
the reserved address space for hardware addressing Windows XP may not be
able to use all of the 4GB but that doesn't mean that it can't handle it.

John

yes, you're right.

 

[smlunatick]

My old and new RAMs are from the same company with the same speed, except
that the new RAM is the 'low profile' which is of a lower height (1.5 cm)
while the old RAM is about double the height. Seems that the only producethe
low profile RAM nowadays.

Anyway will download the utility and test out the RAM. Thanks.

Will put up a post if I manage to solve to problem.

This seems to be the problem. Sometimes, you might not be able to
mix / match the different RAM sticks even though they might be rated
the same. RAM "sticks" each have a small "chip" to store the details
on the "optimum" settings. RAM manufacturer can / will update these
and they are not same on different RAM models.

If you still want to have 4GB, buy a second RAM stick like he newer
one.

 

[Daave]

I am using windows XP home (SP3 installed) and have 2 GB RAM that is
working ok, but was a little slow when playing some games. I bought
and install and additional 2 GB and when I install them, the system
slows down drastically.

When I check the task manager, it say the process MsMpEng.exe was
using 50 % of the CPU and usage remains at about 60 to 70 % when I am
not doing anything. When I open any apps, it will mostly never be
complete. When I remove the old RAM and leave the new RAM in, it is
ok.

I have MSI 945 motherboard that can support 4 GB (4 banks) of RAM.
Any one has suggestion or encountered same problem? tanks

Your performance problem wasn't due to having 2GB of RAM. Chances are
that was more than enough. Take out the new RAM (or take out the old
RAM -- because adding different RAM is most likely causing your system
to "almost hang") and disable the program that uses MsMpEng.exe
(msconfig should do the trick). Then report back with respect to your
performance. If your PC runs fine, then either solve the problem with
the specific program or uninstall it and use a superior one.

 

[chinchoon]

my pc works fine with either 2 GB new or 2 GB old RAM, even ok with a mix 1GB
new, 1 GB old RAM. problem is when 1 put all 4 GB togather. refer to my
answer to the suggestion on using windows memory diagnostic program. thanks

 

[chinchoon]

Have used the windows memory diagnostic program to check my RAM and they are
ok. 1 GB of old or new RAM takes 3 mins. 2GB of old, new or mix of old and
new RAM takes 5+ mins. When I put all 4GB togather, it takes 2 HOUR and 40
MINs. You can see the slow down in the test speed.

So, it looks like its the motherboard or BIOS or some controller or OS
setting that is not able to handle the 4 GBs.

I am now using only 2 GB of RAM. Didn't want to get another 2 GB of new RAM
and find that they don't work. Btw, I think the windows memory diagnostic
program is quite a useful tool. Don't know why they did not include it in the
OS package. Any idea if there is any shareware or freeware that can test the
whole system?

 

[chinchoon]

I have managed to solved the problem by downloading the latest version of the
BIOS. I have been running the system for about 1 week without any noticeable
slowdown. Thank you all for the various suggestions.

 

[shakey]

Thanks for follow up as I have been interested in your problem.
SG

 

[chinchoon]

No trouble at all. I myself have found some good utilities. My MSI
motherboard comes with a utility that searches for BIOS, drivers or VGA
drivers upgrade that I did not even know of until now.

Btw anyone know how to close this post or indicate that I have found the
answer. I cannot indicate that on the reply as it was authored by myself.