text: i added some ram to my computer and now it crashes. why? it isn't running any faster and occasionally it will just shut off. (something that started immediately after i added the ram)  any suggestions? my guess is the ram is a lower type to what your pc can handle  (ie. your motherboard uses pc2100 and you've added a pc800 stick).  make sure you're ram is compatible with your motherboard.  you could also try this tool from microsoft: http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp