Laptop Random Shutdown...RAM Problem?

[at1105]

Just for kicks, what would happen if you put in a matched pair? A 2GB or 4GB stick in each slot.
Also might try the BIOS update anyway, if you have nothing to lose.
Probably would shut down, too, as it seems the second RAM slot is bad.

I tried both 4GB in each slot and it shut down. I agree. I believe the second slot is bad.

 

[at1105]

When you mentioned running Parted Magic, you didn't say that there was just one stick in Slot 1, hence my conclusion that HW was okay. You also don't say whether trying just one stick in slot 2 ran or not, or maybe I missed it. Sure sounds like a MB slot 2 issue, unless it ran PM with two sticks.

I ran PM with OEM configuration (2GB Slot 1 and 4GB Slot 2) but for some reason it wasn't showing 6GB. It only showed 3GB of available RAM. I tried all 3 sticks using slot 2 only. Each time it would try to boot up but the screen wouldn't come on.

 

[HFultzjr]

Parted magic ran the full GPU test without shutting down, so it sure looks like a Windows problem to me. Can you do an offline system restore (after imaging the drive for safety, if you haven't done so already). I'd be testing the hard drive,too, although I would be surprised if a faulty drive made it shut down.

^^^^^ This!

If it runs a bootable CD without issues, sound like a Win OS issue.

Check ALL hardware then proceed to diagnosing an OS issue.

Harold

 

[HFultzjr]

Here's the thing though, if I leave only the "good" stick of RAM in it (Micron 2GB) and take the other out (Samsung 4GB), it boots into Windows fine. No problems whatsoever. In fact, I ran it for several hours with no issues with just the one stick. The moment I add the Samsung 4GB stick to the second slot, it starts shutting down. Even the replacement Micron 4GB stick I ordered does it the same way. The only way it boots and behaves normally is to use only the Micron 2GB stick by itself in the first slot. I have listed the combinations and their results below.

Slot 1 - Micron 2GB
Slot 2 - Samsung 4GB
=Shutdown on login

Slot 1 - Micron 2GB
Slot 2 - Micron 4GB
=Shutdown almost immediately on boot.

Slot 1 - Micron 2GB
Slot 2 - Empty
=Works perfect

Slot 1 - Samsung 4GB
Slot 2 - Empty
=Works perfect

Slot 1 - Micron 4GB
Slot 2 - Empty
=Works perfect

Bad slot #2?

Did you try and "blow-out" or clean the slot?

Harold

 

[Larry Sabo]

I ran PM with OEM configuration (2GB Slot 1 and 4GB Slot 2) but for some reason it wasn't showing 6GB. It only showed 3GB of available RAM. I tried all 3 sticks using slot 2 only. Each time it would try to boot up but the screen wouldn't come on.

Thanks for the update. Sure sounds like slot 2 has issues, almost as if it detects 1GB of the 4 and the undetected 3GB would normally be used for video. If it were a desktop, you could try a video adapter and disable on-board video, but being a laptop, I think it's new MB time.

 

[HFultzjr]

Thanks for the update. Sure sounds like slot 2 has issues, almost as if it detects 1GB of the 4 and the undetected 3GB would normally be used for video. If it were a desktop, you could try a video adapter and disable on-board video, but being a laptop, I think it's new MB time.

Sure sounds like a slot #2 motherboard issue.

If customer won't pay for a new Motherboard and install, maybe just talk them into using slot 1 with 4GB or 8GB (if available). Should still run ok with 4 GB.

 

[at1105]

I agree. I'm going with MB issue. As always, thanks for the input guys. I really appreciate it.