My journey down Fail Street

Renegade Retard · 13th June 2010, 07:55

Decided to move from Windows 7 32 bit to Windows 7 64 bit.

To do this, I wanted to upgrade my 2GB of RAM to 4GB. Checked my motherboard, and it supported 4GB, so I orderd the exact same RAM as I already had from Newegg. It arrived yesterday.

I spent a good chunk of the day before copying and backing up files, downloading 64 bit drivers, etc. When I got the RAM, I installed it.

Nothing.

Thinking I might have received some faulty RAM, I switched the new 2GB with the old. PC booted as normal.

I tried every combination of slots to see if I had a defective one, but everything checked out. I just could not add more than 2 sticks of RAM and have the PC post, though I had 4 slots.

After doing some research, I found the problem. My motherboard IS designed to handle 4GB of RAM, but ONLY with Single Channel RAM. As you know, pretty much all RAM sold these days is dual channel. So, I wasted $50+ on RAM I can't use. I can't afford to upgrade my mobo at this time, so I'm pretty much screwed.

I decided I'd go ahead and upgrade my OS to 64 bit and worry about the RAM later. I inserted my install disk, blew away my old drive, and started installing, waiting for the question of if I want 32 or 64 bit. However, that question never came.

Turns out OEM copies of Windows 7 does NOT contain both 32 and 64 bit version, like you find with retail. My copy is an OEM, and was a gift from a friend.

So, spent approximately 10 hours working on my PC, only to have a net results of a reinstall of my backup.

Good times

Loibisch · 13th June 2010, 22:55

Asus P5Q-EM?

Renegade Retard · 14th June 2010, 01:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loibisch

Asus P5Q-EM?

Nope, MSI P31 Neo

Loibisch · 14th June 2010, 11:17

Ah, had the same problem with the PC I built for a pal. They only tell you about this "feature" in the very smallest of small-prints.

Peregrine · 14th June 2010, 18:22

This is why you buy RAM from Crucial.com and NOWHERE ELSE.
Super fast shipping, same price as the online retailers and backed by Crucial.
I am a big fan of Newegg myself, but: ALWAYS BUY RAM FROM CRUCIAL.

cryco · 14th June 2010, 18:51

When did you start working for CRUCIAL Pere?

Loibisch · 15th June 2010, 01:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peregrine

This is why you buy RAM from Crucial.com and NOWHERE ELSE.
Super fast shipping, same price as the online retailers and backed by Crucial.
I am a big fan of Newegg myself, but: ALWAYS BUY RAM FROM CRUCIAL.

In this case it's really a design-flaw of the board itself. Even crucial won't produce single-sided Modules just because they're nice. Single-sided modules are pricey and rare to find.

Renegade Retard · 15th June 2010, 06:58

Wish my old board wasn't an AMD board. It will handle up to 8 Gig.

Which, none of it matters, because I don't have Win7 64 bit anyhow like I thought I did.

Al · 16th June 2010, 01:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renegade Retard

Which, none of it matters, because I don't have Win7 64 bit anyhow like I thought I did.

Same problem here, Ren

Sir_Brizz · 17th June 2010, 02:23

Ouch! Gotta get a 64 bit in there.

I heard a rumor that you can grab the OEM 64-bit disc for the version you have (Like a 64-bit Pro disc) and use the 32 bit key to install it.

Renegade Retard · 17th June 2010, 07:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir_Brizz

Ouch! Gotta get a 64 bit in there.

I heard a rumor that you can grab the OEM 64-bit disc for the version you have (Like a 64-bit Pro disc) and use the 32 bit key to install it.

Okay, so, you know what your homework assignment is, right?

13th June 2010, 07:55	#1
Renegade Retard North American Captain Joined: April 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,359	My journey down Fail Street Decided to move from Windows 7 32 bit to Windows 7 64 bit. To do this, I wanted to upgrade my 2GB of RAM to 4GB. Checked my motherboard, and it supported 4GB, so I orderd the exact same RAM as I already had from Newegg. It arrived yesterday. I spent a good chunk of the day before copying and backing up files, downloading 64 bit drivers, etc. When I got the RAM, I installed it. Nothing. Thinking I might have received some faulty RAM, I switched the new 2GB with the old. PC booted as normal. I tried every combination of slots to see if I had a defective one, but everything checked out. I just could not add more than 2 sticks of RAM and have the PC post, though I had 4 slots. After doing some research, I found the problem. My motherboard IS designed to handle 4GB of RAM, but ONLY with Single Channel RAM. As you know, pretty much all RAM sold these days is dual channel. So, I wasted $50+ on RAM I can't use. I can't afford to upgrade my mobo at this time, so I'm pretty much screwed. I decided I'd go ahead and upgrade my OS to 64 bit and worry about the RAM later. I inserted my install disk, blew away my old drive, and started installing, waiting for the question of if I want 32 or 64 bit. However, that question never came. Turns out OEM copies of Windows 7 does NOT contain both 32 and 64 bit version, like you find with retail. My copy is an OEM, and was a gift from a friend. So, spent approximately 10 hours working on my PC, only to have a net results of a reinstall of my backup. Good times __________________

13th June 2010, 22:55	#2
Loibisch Webmaster Joined: December 2000 Location: Germany Posts: 7,077	Asus P5Q-EM? __________________ [Ci]Loibisch - Site/Forum admin and attacker for clan Carpe Imperium

14th June 2010, 11:17	#4
Loibisch Webmaster Joined: December 2000 Location: Germany Posts: 7,077	Ah, had the same problem with the PC I built for a pal. They only tell you about this "feature" in the very smallest of small-prints. __________________ [Ci]Loibisch - Site/Forum admin and attacker for clan Carpe Imperium

14th June 2010, 18:22	#5
Peregrine North American CTF Squad Lt. Joined: August 2001 Location: The north coast Posts: 2,305	This is why you buy RAM from Crucial.com and NOWHERE ELSE. Super fast shipping, same price as the online retailers and backed by Crucial. I am a big fan of Newegg myself, but: ALWAYS BUY RAM FROM CRUCIAL. __________________ I rock a lawsuit when I'm going to court, a white suit when I'm getting divorced A black suit at the funeral home, and my birthday suit when I'm home alone

14th June 2010, 18:51	#6
cryco 34T m3 Joined: December 2000 Location: montreal, Canada Posts: 4,078	When did you start working for CRUCIAL Pere? __________________ [Ci]cryco freelancing agent of chaos

15th June 2010, 06:58	#8
Renegade Retard North American Captain Joined: April 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,359	Wish my old board wasn't an AMD board. It will handle up to 8 Gig. Which, none of it matters, because I don't have Win7 64 bit anyhow like I thought I did. __________________

17th June 2010, 02:23	#10
Sir_Brizz Clan Member Joined: October 2005 Location: Utopia Posts: 679	Ouch! Gotta get a 64 bit in there. I heard a rumor that you can grab the OEM 64-bit disc for the version you have (Like a 64-bit Pro disc) and use the 32 bit key to install it. __________________ <BigFolks> Please, if you are going to use my name in your post, capitalize it.