Crash screen: Random color and on waking up from sleep

Question

I have a Mid-2010 13.3" MacBook Pro, and recently it has been giving me issues. I attempted to upgrade the RAM to 8gb, from the initial 4gb, but it didn't fully work, (the new 2x4gb sticks were at 1333 speed, and the max for a mid-2010 MBP is 1066.) I ran a 2gb and a 4gb stick for a while, (for a total of 6gb, and the MBP would automatically downclock the new 1333 stick to match the old 1066 stick.) then it became unstable and started crashing often after waking up from being closed (asleep.) So I took the 4gb stick out and ran on a 2gb stick until I could retrieve the other 2gb stick (I had left it somewhere,) but the crashing problems continued, and got weirder (It was no longer just a white or black screen on crashing, but I got a light blue, a green, and a dark blue screen when it would crash.
So last night I got my other 2gb stick back, and installed it (bringing it back to the original 4gb,) but it's still crashing. I tried blowing the insides out with compressed air to clear the dust out (including the RAM ports, so that they're clear of dust,) and now I'm getting new crash screen colors. I got a rapidly moving static one (where i could still see the wallpaper, but lots of lines were moving across,) and I got a magenta screen at another crash.
All of these crashes require a hard reboot (holding down the power button) to make the computer start again.
Any idea what's going on? This doesn't seem to be a super common problem. I assume it's RAM related, as I've had this laptop for the last two years without any problem, and within a week of installing a weird RAM configuration, it starts crashing all the time.
Any help would be appreciated muchly, thank you!

Answer 1

I am going to add my problem to this as I believe it fits and may add to the conversation.
I have a MacBook Pro, am using Parallels, and have an issue waking it up from sleep.
Circumstances:
I close the lid and walk away from the device in my office. When I return, (over night or an hour later) I open the lid, and if nothing happens swipe the touchpad or press a key, the power light changes from pulsating to steady. then in less than 15 seconds it goes back to pusating. The display never energizes, only remain black.
I usually try opening and closing several times, and occaisionally that will work. Other times, I hold the power key until I hear the drive halt, then turn it on. The grey screen will display, then blue, then just before it gets to the log in, the screen goes black (not energized) and the light pulsates.
I have tried the PRAM reset and Safe Mode starts with no luck.
*Now the really wierd thing.* I decieded to contact Apple support on line and pay for help (yes that is weird in an of itself for me). As I began the process it came to the part for me to enter my serial number. With the lid open, I turned the MacBook on its side to try to read the number and the screen energized and the password unlock prompt was waiting for me to enter the password.
Observations
I had read where the light sensor could be blocked by dirt or the light in the room was too dim, but I clean the screen and there is plenty of light. Dales Post is the first that I have seen Parallels and the Sudden Motion Sensor. That makes some sense to me because of what happened when I turned it on its side. I have verified that it happens regardless of using Parallels. as teh last time I did it I had closed out of all my VMs and I believe exited Parallels.
I am going to try the deleting the power preferences file and will report back.