I bought three 1G sticks of RAM from Crucial and upon arrival put them in the computer. It would not boot, it kept saying I had made a hardware change. Would not boot under options: Safe Mode, with Networker, etc. I removed the third stick and it booted up. I pulled the second stick and put stick #3 in and got the hardware problem screen again. Put stick two back in slot two and computer booted normally. I returned stick #3 to Crucial and got a replacement stick. Upon arrival, I put the new stick #3 in and the computer wouldn't boot. I removed the new stick #3 and the computer wouldn't boot. I put stick #3 back in and tried the options again. Computer will not boot into any mode. I put the XP CD in and got the option to boot from the CD which I did select. The computer cycled from BIOS screen to black screen with progress bar which upon completion went to the XP Splash Screen. AAfter sitting on that for a while with its pprogress bar running, it goes black and back to the BIOS Screen. It did this over and over again. I took the XP CD out again and it did the same thing. Over and over again. The BIOS screen indicates the correct amount of RAM and detects HDs, and DVD burners. I did check for loose connections. I blew out the computer processor, power supply and anything else I could reach with canned air. I am out of ideas are are my friends. I did reach items on the search for XP keeps rebooting." I don't see anything else I can do. Assistance is requested.

I assume that you ran crucial's scanner to see that you bought the right type of RAM. What type of RAM is it, and is it dual channel ? Also, you could run memtest from a CD to check the RAM.

I took stick #3 out again and now the computer has booted but it is screwed up. No taskbar and I can't get it back. I am unable to drag it up. If I minimize a program, I can't bring it back because no task bar. No Start Button, etc. Also the Windows key doesn't work. Right click, "open in a new window," doesn't work. I get the menu but nothing happens. Icons are grouped together on the left of the screen and they will not let me move them. I went to properties and check, taskbar always on top but no joy. A restart did not fix it either. Yes, I did run Crucial's tool and ordered the RAM that it specified. PC2700, 1GB, 184 Pin unbuff DIMM 128Mx6 (on the sticker on the stick).

Are there 4 slots for the RAM ? If yes, try putting the third stick in a different slot. Does the motherboard manual say anything about where to put the RAM ?

MB is FIC VI13. It has 3 slots for RAM. Per MB manual, it will take 1GB DDR333 memory for a total of 3 GB. Slots 1 & 2 are now in use. Total 2 GB. If I can get my computer straightened out, I am inclined to just run with the 2 GB and send the third one back again. I am thinking that my XP installation is damaged. If it isn't straightened out by shutting down cold overnight, I think I will try an over-the-top install. Until I installed that third stick again, my computer was running great. I am not inclined to fiddle with the RAM again.