Vista Error Diagnostic

[G9]

I once installed Vista (but downgraded recently) on my desktop and faced many problems (interface would freeze often, etc...) and I'm wondering if (despite being successful using the Windows-endorsed test) my hardware wasn't compatible:

Processor: 2x Intel Xeon 3.40GHz
Video Card: ATI FireGL V7100
RAM: 2x 1GB DDR2-SDRAM PC2-3200 (200 MHz) - [DDR2-400] with ECC (it's a workstation desktop)

I installed all the drivers...

If not compatible, which component was causing the problems?

If compatible and the problem merely lay in inadequate (unlikely) hardware, I'm thinking of a memory and video card upgrade.
I'm deciding between these two RAM models: Kingston 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM ECC Registered DDR2 400 (PC2 3200) Dual Channel Kit Server Memory and 2x G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory.
And this is the video card on my wishlist.

 

[Bobert93]

im thinking the RAM, 200mhz its proberly that

 

[worshipme]

TBH, speed does make a difference but not that much of one for Vista to lag, he has 2GB, which should be enough. Have you run CCleaner/defrag... ?

 

[G9]

TBH, speed does make a difference but not that much of one for Vista to lag, he has 2GB, which should be enough. Have you run CCleaner/defrag... ?

Yeah... not through that, but via Norton's tools.

 

[Äߧý∩†H♠H䎀]

Have you installed the Chipset drivers since you downgraded? If not that is very important to system stability. Your hardware should be compatible you just need to make sure you install all your drivers.

Also look at the ram modules you selected there. One is 240pin and one is 184pin memory. Which does your board use 240 pin or 184 pin?

 

[G9]

No I'm afraid I did not. I used Norton ghost to reinstall XP, wiping out Vista... I can reinstall Vista without any license problems, correct?

I'm not sure how to find out the PIN count... how would I do so through PC Wizard?

Here are some specs:

General Information :
DIMM_A1 (CH_A ) : 512 MB - DIMM
DIMM_B1 (CH_B ) : 512 MB - DIMM

Information SPD EEPROM (DIMM_B1) :
Manufacturer : PDP Systems
Part Number : Unspecified
Serial Number : Unspecified
Type : DDR2-SDRAM PC2-3200 (200 MHz) - [DDR2-400]
Format : Regular RDIMM (133.35 x 3)
Size : 1024 MB (2 ranks, 4 banks)
Module Buffered : No
Module Registered : No
Module SLi Ready (EPP) : No
Width : 72-bit
Error Correction Capability : ECC
Max. Burst Length : 8
Refresh : Reduced (.5x)7.8 µs
Voltage : SSTL 1.8v
Prefetch Buffer : 4-bit
Manufacture : 2000
Supported Frequencies : 200 MHz, 200 MHz, 200 MHz
CAS Latency (tCL) : 3 clocks @200 MHz, 4 clocks @200 MHz, 5 clocks @200 MHz
RAS to CAS (tRCD) : 3 clocks @200 MHz, 3 clocks @200 MHz, 3 clocks @200 MHz
RAS Precharge (tRP) : 3 clocks @200 MHz, 3 clocks @200 MHz, 3 clocks @200 MHz
Cycle Time (tRAS) : 8 clocks @200 MHz, 8 clocks @200 MHz, 8 clocks @200 MHz
Min TRC : 11 clocks @200 MHz, 11 clocks @200 MHz, 11 clocks @200 MHz

Information SPD EEPROM (DIMM_B2) :
Manufacturer : PDP Systems
Part Number : Unspecified
Serial Number : Unspecified
Type : DDR2-SDRAM PC2-3200 (200 MHz) - [DDR2-400]
Format : Regular RDIMM (133.35 x 3)
Size : 1024 MB (2 ranks, 4 banks)
Module Buffered : No
Module Registered : No
Module SLi Ready (EPP) : No
Width : 72-bit
Error Correction Capability : ECC
Max. Burst Length : 8
Refresh : Reduced (.5x)7.8 µs
Voltage : SSTL 1.8v
Prefetch Buffer : 4-bit
Manufacture : 2000
Supported Frequencies : 200 MHz, 200 MHz, 200 MHz
CAS Latency (tCL) : 3 clocks @200 MHz, 4 clocks @200 MHz, 5 clocks @200 MHz
RAS to CAS (tRCD) : 3 clocks @200 MHz, 3 clocks @200 MHz, 3 clocks @200 MHz
RAS Precharge (tRP) : 3 clocks @200 MHz, 3 clocks @200 MHz, 3 clocks @200 MHz
Cycle Time (tRAS) : 8 clocks @200 MHz, 8 clocks @200 MHz, 8 clocks @200 MHz
Min TRC : 11 clocks @200 MHz, 11 clocks @200 MHz, 11 clocks @200 MHz

Memory Controller Information :
Memory Controller : System Memory
Location : Mainboard
Error Correction Capability : Multi-bit ECC
Number of connectors : 4
Max. Module Size : 32768 KB

 

[G9]

In addition I have the 32-bit upgrade... a RAM upgrade from 2GB to 4GB wouldn't really make a difference in 32-bit, right? I've got Xeon procs, by the way... I'm wondering how I would discover whether my rig is compatible with 64-bit.

I discovered that you can get 64-bit versions by ordering it without getting a totally new copy... how much would this cost?