Does anyone know about computer hardwares?

Hi everyone and anyone who can answer this!

I have an HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook with an AMD Athlon II N330 Dual Core Processor.

Here's the problem, 3 days ago, I had 4 Go (2x2 Go) of RAM with unknown Mhz and since 2 days (the day after),

I bought 8 Go (2x4 Go) of RAM running at 1066 Mhz and the brand of the RAM is Patriot (which writes Unknown in the HP Solution Center).


But even more intriguing is, why does it random reboot from time to time?


I've been trying to see in the BIOS if there's any options for RAM Clocking (Which there's none, but also why?).


So, I've been checking some tutorials on how to underclock RAM with HP notebooks and well, varying the subjects.


And I've found some programs like CPUID CPU-Z (Motherboard & Processor stats), CPUID HWMonitor (Motherboard Voltage & Temp stats),
MSI Control Center (Not supported by my motherboard, but BIOS look-a-like), MSI Afterburner (GPU Clocker), MSI Kombustor (GPU Tester) and AMD Overdrive (BIOS look-a-like).


P.S. Even me having those programs, I know 50-50 of what I'm doing, but I simply don't know how to underclock the RAM only because it is what my laptop needs.



Please someone help me!

And thanks in advance.

Truly,
Your Friend ~LiveStepFreak~

http://i.imgur.com/0Y2y5Zf.jpg

Sorry to tell,
But this is URGENT, I need the answer as soon as I can.
I don't want my laptop to bust down, I already have everything backup.
But I still don't want to lose this laptop until I get enough budget to get a new one.

Try each stick one by one and check if it's just one giving issues, might just be a faulty one. Are you sure they are compatible?

Also pretty sure you should be able to change clock speed in bios.. but I'm no expert either. :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boss

Try each stick one by one and check if it's just one giving issues, might just be a faulty one. Are you sure they are compatible?

Also pretty sure you should be able to change clock speed in bios.. but I'm no expert either. :(

---

Both of them are Patriot brand and I've bought them in pair which cost me a lot more money,
because as the technician where I bought them said,
I'm definitely gonna pay them more, because they're validated to work together.

I meant compatible with your notebook. And even if they are compatible they could still be faulty, very common in computer components.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boss

I meant compatible with your notebook. And even if they are compatible they could still be faulty, very common in computer components.

---

Well, if you noticed the image, it still shows that it's there.
And when I go to the System Settings, I see ''Installed RAM: 8 Gb (7.74 Gb usable)
So I don't see from there that the RAM itself could be faulty, also that I noticed my laptop being faster.

Maybe I really need to underclock the RAM directly because of the high frequencies, which maybe also ask high voltage...?
Don't really know.

Just because they are recognized doesn't mean they aren't faulty. If you can't change the clock speed you can also just increasd the voltage?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boss

Just because they are recognized doesn't mean they aren't faulty. If you can't change the clock speed you can also just increasd the voltage?

---

The AMD Overdrive.EXE recognizes both RAM stick and let's me get into the Memory options.
From there, I still don't know how to underclock the RAM or put lower voltage to the CPU...?


P.S. The AMD Overdrive is a Windows program that looks like a BIOS, but has a different interface.

Shut down your Notebook, upon restarting your HP Notebook, spam the F2 key this will open the Hp System Diagnostics, from there perform a 'Memory Extensive Test' and 'Hard Disc Extensive Test'

Restart > Spam F2 > Hp System Diagnostics > Memory Extensive Test / Hard Disk Extensive Test

See if it fails, if it does this could be down to a problem with the newly installed RAM. (As a HP Notebook owner I've experienced this)


The fact that it shows that your system can't detect what brand of RAM your system is using tells me that there may be some sort of compatibility issues, did you check that the newly bought RAM is correct for your notebook? Be 100% sure, just because someone behind a counter says it will doesn't always mean it will, HP themselves
would be a better source of finding out if it is or isn't.

Have you tried using the original RAM that came with the Notebook?

Here's my notebook, as you can see my RAM is 'Samsung'

http://i61.tinypic.com/nxu9eo.png

Randomly rebooting could be a few things, overheating, memory issues, battery problems...


Start by downloading a popular program for monitoring the temperature among other things:
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

Keep an eye on the temperature of you notebook and try to get a feel for the temperature it restarts at. Use a can of compressed air in the reverse direction of the normal air flow while the computer is off. Try running the computer with only one memory chip at a time and try each slot. Then try the other chip if you have two. If you only have one, at least try the other slot. Try running the notebook without the battery and just the power adaptor. Try a hard reset:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...roduct=1132551



As for using AMD OVERDRIVE follow this link; http://www.ehow.com/how_12226406_amd...-tutorial.html

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Notorious

Shut down your Notebook, upon restarting your HP Notebook, spam the F2 key this will open the Hp System Diagnostics, from there perform a 'Memory Extensive Test' and 'Hard Disc Extensive Test'

Restart > Spam F2 > Hp System Diagnostics > Memory Extensive Test / Hard Disk Extensive Test

See if it fails, if it does this could be down to a problem with the newly installed RAM. (As a HP Notebook owner I've experienced this)


The fact that it shows that your system can't detect what brand of RAM your system is using tells me that there may be some sort of compatibility issues, did you check that the newly bought RAM is correct for your notebook? Be 100% sure, just because someone behind a counter says it will doesn't always mean it will, HP themselves
would be a better source of finding out if it is or isn't.

Have you tried using the original RAM that came with the Notebook?

Here's my notebook, as you can see my RAM is 'Samsung'

http://i61.tinypic.com/nxu9eo.png

Randomly rebooting could be a few things, overheating, memory issues, battery problems...


Start by downloading a popular program for monitoring the temperature among other things:
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

Keep an eye on the temperature of you notebook and try to get a feel for the temperature it restarts at. Use a can of compressed air in the reverse direction of the normal air flow while the computer is off. Try running the computer with only one memory chip at a time and try each slot. Then try the other chip if you have two. If you only have one, at least try the other slot. Try running the notebook without the battery and just the power adaptor. Try a hard reset:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...roduct=1132551



As for using AMD OVERDRIVE follow this link; http://www.ehow.com/how_12226406_amd...-tutorial.html

---

First, Notorious,
I would like to thank you for the huge help you're giving me here.

As for the CPUID Programs, I already have most of them as if you noticed what I said in the first post of the thread.
For the E-How, I'll check that tomorrow during the day, because now it's almost midnight, Canada time and I'm mostly tired just to think of ''This and that''.
I will also look at the HP Tutorial on how to the hard reset, I've never tried that before and could be helpful doing it.
And for the AMD Overdrive, I will check this too, because HP doesn't have in any way a good BIOS system GUI panel and AMD Overdrive seems like a good BIOS look-a-like.

As for my memory and hard disk drive, I went to the HP System diagnosis (F2) and did both tests, yet both passed. So, I think nothing is getting faulty in all the components I have.
Also, I've been checking Control Panel > System & Maintenance > System and I could see my new RAM as 8 Gb total (2x4 Gb) written as Slot 1: 4 Gb Unknown 1066 Mhz / Slot 2: 4 Gb Unknown 1066 Mhz which are Patriot brand RAM (usually well known brand).
So, basically, it is recognized by the system.
And as you said, it might be coming to a voltage OR clocking problem:

-Is the voltage too high or too low? (which I can check the AMD Overdrive tutorial link you sent me).
-Does the CPU OR RAM need to be underclocked? (which I still don't know, but will look at the link for more info).
-Or what else are we missing here? (have to look around).


Anyways, I will check this when I wake up.
But not to forget, as I said, my RAM is not faulty because it recognizes it all from the HP System Diagnosis, Control Panel/System Panel and I've even checked the Device Manager and it's there.
Also, I've been calling HP, Microsoft and other technicians around home to basically know what could be the problem and they gave me some possible solutions to fix it, still to try.
But if I don't get to know what the problem is, I'll just bring it in for a check at some computer place where they could fix it.


To finish, I want to say you a HUGE thanks again for helping me with this and hopefully we get to know each other.


P.S. I forgot to say, my mother also bought a can of Dust Blaster so what I'll do is I'll open up the laptop (?) and make a complete dust removal before anything else.

I finally found out EXACTLY the reason why my laptop was random rebooting at random times. Doesn't have to do with technical problems at all...
I rechanged my old RAM back in and I still had the box for the new RAM. I had put the new RAM back in its box and suddenly I get to see the guy from where I bought the RAM sold me the wrong pair of RAM.
I looked at the box and it appeared to be 2x4 Gb of RAM running at 1333 Mhz he sold me and I NEEDED 2x4 Gb of RAM running at 1066 Mhz.

Here's the conclusion of all the problem, it's not any components that are faulty. It's just the dumb technician that simply sold me the wrong RAM and well, it's on warranty, so I can get some 1066 Mhz RAM.
Thanks to all who had posted on this thread, but this can be an official hardware problem thread if ever anyone else need some help! :)
I'd be more than happy to help anyone in the need! :P

I know this may be a long response but I promise you the information is very useful to you. I repair computers for a living (40 hours a week) and your not the first person to ask about memory. I'm only saying this because I have given detailed information about things like this on these forums and my post simply gets ignored. Hopefully you will read this and my time doesn't go to waste.

The higher speed isn't the issue.

Looking at the manual of the dv7 your notebook supports up to 16GB of DDR3-1600. Here is a copy+paste for you. It is on page 12 in the PDF.

Quote:

---

Memory Two customer-accessible/upgradable memory
module slots

DDR3-1600-MHz dual channel support
Supports up to 16384-MB system RAM
Supports the following system RAM
configurations:

* 16384-MB (8192-MB×2; not supported
on computer models equipped with a 32-
bit operating system)

* 12288-MB (8192-MB×1+ 4096-MB×1;
not supported on computer models
equipped with a 32-bit operating system)

* 8192-MB (8192-MB×1 or 4096-MB×2;
not supported on computer models
equipped with a 32-bit operating system)

* 6144-MB (4096-MB×1 + 2048-MB×1;
not supported on computer models
equipped with a 32-bit operating system)

* 4096-MB (4096-MB×1 or 2048-MB×2)

* 2048-MB (2048-MB×1)

---

Your BIOS doesn't surprise me since most HP BIOS is crippled. I have not really come across many OEM (Original equipment manufacturer such as HP and DELL) machines that allow you to underclock/overclock. This is because if they gave you access to such settings and you kill your hardware they would have to warranty the hardware (which they don't want to do if YOU damaged the hardware).. Most warranty's only cover factory faults and I believe some OEM installs of Windows disable the use of software that enables you to overclock.

As for HP diagnosis.. Your machine could be in ****ing flames and it would still pass. Trust me on that one. We do warranty work for many machines and 70% of the time even though there is a bad hard drive or failing memory the diagnostics still pass on a lot of machines (this is also due to OEM being a bitch about warranty)..


As for your random restarts your machine is actually having a BSOD. Automatic restart on system failure is just turned on. If you download BlueScreenView it should list the memory dumps and give a bit more information on why your machine was restarting.

If you weren't having any issues with the machine before installing the new memory it is most likely faulty RAM or it wasn't seated in the slot all the way. You can have the memory in there and the BIOS/OS will see it.. But it doesn't mean there is nothing wrong with the memory until it accesses a portion of the memory that is bad (portion as in between 1-2048MB in a single stick).

If you want, just before you send the new memory away (that is running at a faster speed which would put in a bit of a performance boost) run BlueScreenView and see what was causing the system failures. If you do that and there is minidumps - post what you get here I will further help you with that.

Next thing is make a memtest86+ CD and put the new memory back in. Make sure you blow out the memory slots and install the sticks. Make sure you place them in firmly when installing them. Put in the Memtest86+ CD in and boot into it (like getting into the BIOS, tap F9 instead and it will bring you to the 'boot' menu) and just let the machine sit on memtest86+ till it gets two passes. If you see ANY failures (even just 1) then your new memory is bad without a doubt.

If you were still having restart issues before the new memory then you are having some sort of software issue.

Hope to hear back from you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Katsuro

I know this may be a long response but I promise you the information is very useful to you. I repair computers for a living (40 hours a week) and your not the first person to ask about memory. I'm only saying this because I have given detailed information about things like this on these forums and my post simply gets ignored. Hopefully you will read this and my time doesn't go to waste.

The higher speed isn't the issue.

Looking at the manual of the dv7 your notebook supports up to 16GB of DDR3-1600. Here is a copy+paste for you. It is on page 12 in the PDF.



Your BIOS doesn't surprise me since most HP BIOS is crippled. I have not really come across many OEM (Original equipment manufacturer such as HP and DELL) machines that allow you to underclock/overclock. This is because if they gave you access to such settings and you kill your hardware they would have to warranty the hardware (which they don't want to do if YOU damaged the hardware).. Most warranty's only cover factory faults and I believe some OEM installs of Windows disable the use of software that enables you to overclock.

As for HP diagnosis.. Your machine could be in ****ing flames and it would still pass. Trust me on that one. We do warranty work for many machines and 70% of the time even though there is a bad hard drive or failing memory the diagnostics still pass on a lot of machines (this is also due to OEM being a bitch about warranty)..


As for your random restarts your machine is actually having a BSOD. Automatic restart on system failure is just turned on. If you download BlueScreenView it should list the memory dumps and give a bit more information on why your machine was restarting.

If you weren't having any issues with the machine before installing the new memory it is most likely faulty RAM or it wasn't seated in the slot all the way. You can have the memory in there and the BIOS/OS will see it.. But it doesn't mean there is nothing wrong with the memory until it accesses a portion of the memory that is bad (portion as in between 1-2048MB in a single stick).

If you want, just before you send the new memory away (that is running at a faster speed which would put in a bit of a performance boost) run BlueScreenView and see what was causing the system failures. If you do that and there is minidumps - post what you get here I will further help you with that.

Next thing is make a memtest86+ CD and put the new memory back in. Make sure you blow out the memory slots and install the sticks. Make sure you place them in firmly when installing them. Put in the Memtest86+ CD in and boot into it (like getting into the BIOS, tap F9 instead and it will bring you to the 'boot' menu) and just let the machine sit on memtest86+ till it gets two passes. If you see ANY failures (even just 1) then your new memory is bad without a doubt.

If you were still having restart issues before the new memory then you are having some sort of software issue.

Hope to hear back from you.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LiveStepFreakz

I finally found out EXACTLY the reason why my laptop was random rebooting at random times. Doesn't have to do with technical problems at all...
I rechanged my old RAM back in and I still had the box for the new RAM. I had put the new RAM back in its box and suddenly I get to see the guy from where I bought the RAM sold me the wrong pair of RAM.
I looked at the box and it appeared to be 2x4 Gb of RAM running at 1333 Mhz he sold me and I NEEDED 2x4 Gb of RAM running at 1066 Mhz.

Here's the conclusion of all the problem, it's not any components that are faulty. It's just the dumb technician that simply sold me the wrong RAM and well, it's on warranty, so I can get some 1066 Mhz RAM.
Thanks to all who had posted on this thread, but this can be an official hardware problem thread if ever anyone else need some help! :)
I'd be more than happy to help anyone in the need! :P

---

He's resolved the issue, he was using the wrong RAM for his notebook.

Solution Found.

Thread Closed.