Standard DRAM Memory

[putergod]

I searched the forum, read other threads of this same issue, saw crucials responses, but the simple fact of the matter is, the memory just isn't working like they guarantee it will.

Bought 8GB of ram from crucial when the system was running windows xp 32bit. Memory was installed in "anticipation for windows 7 64bit". Bios reports all 8 gb of memory. Computer runs just fine reporting 3.2gb of memory. Fast forward to windows 7 release day.

ATTEMPT to install windows 7 64 bit. Install just wont go past the first "starting windows" screen. So, I removed all "non essential hardware" just to get the os installed (which included the tv tuner card, sound card, and 4gb [2 of the 4 sticks) of ram]. Installs goes without a hitch. Awesome! I think anyway...

I put the memory back in, and only the memory, and the system flat out wont boot. Period. Bios still reports right amount of memory, but OS will not boot.

So, it appears to me, that as long as your using an OS that can't see past 4gb anyway, then the 8gb worth of memory "seems" to function just fine. Once you switch to an OS that will actually USE the memory, the computer will not even boot.

What gives, Crucial?

[lordgllynn]

Could be a few problems going on here. One, the memory could be bad. You need to use MemTest86+ and test your memory. Do it one stick at a time. Two, the motherboard may not be able to handle all that memory without assistance (adjustments in the BIOS/BIOS update).The first test will help here too. If you're using one stick to test all four slots, you can verify that all four slots work with a single passing stick. Three, your memory controller could be bad and unable to run that much memory without assistance. This is similar to the second one, except, this is going to require you to replace (RMA) the motherboard to fix. Some controllers cannot handle maxed out densities and speeds.  A side note here: Some motherboards cannot handle single sided memory of that capacity when all four slots are being populated. You may need to contact Crucial Customer Support for further assistance and then contact your motherboard manufacturer to insure there isn't a compatibility issue with single/dual sided memory modules.

[putergod]

Wrong. The memory just doesn't work because the chipset doesn't support it.

Crucial guarantees it will work, and it doesn't. I want Crucial's response to this.

Read the specs of the northbridge chip on this computer:

http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/chipsets/945g/945g-overview.htm

Specifically this part: 

Dual-channel DDR2 Memory Support

Up to 10.7 GB/s of bandwidth and 4GB memory addressability for faster system responsiveness and support for 64-bit computing.