Monitor goes to sleep when I try to install more RAM

[lostjeff]

I have a HP Pavilion Desktop - 550-127c, and I recently installed an additional stick of 8gb RAM (16 total now). When I did this the computer started up fine once, but then when I started it up again later, the screen went black and didn't acquire a VGA signal.

I read this might be caused by dust in the RAM slot, so I took the RAM out and blew the dust out, and reinserted the RAM. I started the computer up and it started up fine, and I confirmed through the computer software that 16 GB was indeed installed. However, later when I started my computer again, the screen couldn't acquire a VGA signal and went to sleep. 

I've tried using one RAM stick and not the other, and I have tested both slots. Both RAM sticks and both RAM slots work fine, but it never works when I have BOTH RAM sticks installed. Any idea what is going on? Please let me know if I need to include part specifics. Thanks. Below is the RAM information.

Bank Locator

CHANNEL A

Device Locator

DIMM 2

Manufacturer

Samsung

Serial Number

9576C0F5

Part Number

M378B1G73EB0-YK0

Memory Size

8192 MB

Maximum Memory Speed

1600 MHz

Memory Type

DDR3

Type Detail

Synchronous, Unregistered, Unbuffered

Bank Locator

CHANNEL B

Device Locator

DIMM 4

Serial Number

93C60100

Part Number

PSD38G16002

Memory Size

8192 MB

Maximum Memory Speed

1600 MHz

Memory Type

DDR3

Type Detail

Synchronous, Unregistered, Unbuffered

[Grzwacz]

Greetings,

Welcome back to the forum.

I am not a HP employee.

Some HP consumer PCs are very touchy with RAM upgrades. Memory timings, density, and clock speeds should match.

You are matching the density and the clock speed.

Dual channel memory modules should be applied in matching pairs using the same memory manufacturer.

I would try Crucial Memory (Link) for compatible memory modules.

Regards

[lostjeff]

Thanks. So you think it's because I am using RAM from different manufacturers? Do you think this would be resolved if I just used two RAM sticks from the same manufacturer, such as Samsung?

[Grzwacz]

Hi Lostjeff,

You're very welcome.

I can only guess this is the problem.

Some HP PCs are touchy with RAM upgrades.

Does the Samsung RAM work in all memory slots when it is the only RAM installed on the motherboard?

If yes, then two sticks of the same Samsung memory should work. You would have to buy more memory. I don't want to see you spend more money on a potential fix.

I cannot guarantee anything without having access to your system and trying various options. Having access to your PC is not an option.

I have seen good memory upgrade results in this forum on many HP PCs when using Crucial memory.

Regards

[lostjeff]

So we bought the stick of RAM from Samsung exactly like the original. I verified this through the HP Hardware tool. We are encountering the same problem. The monitor goes to sleep. Could this be related to the settings in the Bios? At this point I really have no idea what's going on.

[Grzwacz]

Hi Lostjeff,

I also don't know what is happening. Does the PC POST with two sticks of RAM? Do you see or hear any error messages?

The MB has two memory slots and uses dual channel memory.

Each stick of Samsung RAM will work in both slots.Stick A in slot 1, stick A in slot 2. Stick B in slot 1, stick B  in slot 2.

But two sticks installed at the same time cause problems.

The same thing could happen with Crucial RAM.

Very unusual. Talk to HP if you are in Warranty or check with a local PC tech.

Regards

[lostjeff]

Everything you said is correct. We are still getting the error message with the two sticks of Samsung RAM installed.

Ok. I'll ask the folks at Tom's Hardware. They are usually pretty savvy when it comes to computer hardware.