Windows fails to start when more than 8GB RAM  

Hi,

While I solved the memory issue for the OS, I cannot backup my system using software which starts in a WinPE environment (AOMEI Backupper, Macrium Reflect, Norton SRD, etc.).

Solved? How so ?
How much RAM does Windows report ?
The thread title says you limit it to 8 Gb or it fails to start. Within that preset limit the WinPE based backup programs you mention also fail to start ?
On rare occasions machines accept more RAM then the manufacturer initially stated. Usually that's only because higher amounts of single sticks of RAM weren't available at the time of manufacture.

As NavyLCDR correctly states the amount of RAM the CPU can see is not of any good if the MB BIOS/UEFI are not up to it.

That said, it surprises me that Bios see the correct amount and other OSes such as Linux can work with it. Something's not quite right here.
Have you tried booting from W10 install media with the full amount of RAM enabled in BIOS/UEFI ?

Cheers,

NavyLCDR said:

It is not just the processor that limits the amount of RAM that can be used but also BIOS/UEFI limitations. You have to check with the manufacturer of the laptop and see what the limit is for that particular model. You also must check with the manufacturer to determine if a bios upgrade might be required to work with more RAM.

It's a 2011 version laptop; there haven't been any other BIOS updates. The people say it's a bug as the i3 version works without problem. Some other people state that i7 versions also work fine.

fdegrove said:

Hi,
Solved? How so ?
How much RAM does Windows report ?
The thread title says you limit it to 8 Gb or it fails to start. Within that preset limit the WinPE based backup programs you mention also fail to start ?
On rare occasions machines accept more RAM then the manufacturer initially stated. Usually that's only because higher amounts of single sticks of RAM weren't available at the time of manufacture.
As NavyLCDR correctly states the amount of RAM the CPU can see is not of any good if the MB BIOS/UEFI are not up to it.
That said, it surprises me that Bios see the correct amount and other OSes such as Linux can work with it. Something's not quite right here.
Have you tried booting from W10 install media with the full amount of RAM enabled in BIOS/UEFI ?
Cheers,

It is not solved; I thought installing Win10 Anniversary Edition before replying (but I couldn't found time). For sure Win7, 8.1 and 10 have the same issues. I'll go for an install of Mint or Ubuntu to see how it reacts. I've run Ubuntu 15.10x64 Live USB and it started normally.
WinPE is only the environment which allows to run those backup software. Without starting WinPE I cannot make a cold backup.

- BIOS states correctly the amount
- Specy sees properly the two banks and their properties.
- Some people were saying that even Linux environments have to be set up properly, but last time Ubuntu started properly (I'm going to install locally a new version).
- I haven't tried booting Win10 install with 16GB (I guess ...I don't remember). I reinstalled Windows 10 (after updating from 8.1 to 10. At that time I was having 8GB and I upgraded to 16GB. Knowing that it may not work, during a clean reinstall I downgraded back to 8GB).

kimkl said:

Try and use diff slot i had a lot of problems when i upgraded to 32GB took me a while to find the right slot, i had 2 x8 GB 1866 and upg with 2x 8 1666 i set a fixed speed to 1666 but could not boot i could still use my direct key to bios, but i had to do the opposite of what the manual said and now after getting it to work i can't boot if i rem the 2 1666 i prob have to clear bios doing a Ram reset my mb has a button for that, won't work but a doing a bios reset will prob work but since i use it for movie editing i can live with the "slow" 1666 speed.
so try and move your Ram to dif slots just make sure you move them in pairs if you have 4 sticks of Ram meaning A1xB1 goes to A2 and B2 hope you get it sorted

It doesn't apply in this case as there are only two banks. The modules are part of a dual-channel pack. Windows boots properly if I set manually this amount.