2 RAM sticks=Bluescreen

[Xador]

Hello there everyone! After assembling my homebuilt system, I tried installing windows 7. It worked completely fine until the installation was about to finish. In order to finish the installation it had to restart, which it did automatically. When it booted up again it loaded up and then I had these options where I could select run windows normally etc.. Then I had a Bluescreen. I fixed that problem by removing one of the two 4gb RAM sticks. After installing windows I tried putting the second RAM stick back into the motherboard, but it didn't work, bluescreen again. So the motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H which supports 16gb, if I remember it correctly. The OS is windows 7 home premium.

I got 1 suggestion and that's updating the BIOS. Any other ideas?

 

[almartin]

It sounds like you have a bad stick of memory. I would have it checked or buy a new stick. If the bios is seeing the one stick but not the other I would say the memory is bad and the bios is alright. Try switching them around in the slots and if you get the same results then it has to be the bad stick.

 

[jaquith]

Need the following to help:

Q - What RAM? A link best
Q - Is it a matched set of 2x4GB?
Q - What DIMM Slots are you using? {needs to be in DIMM 1 & 3 <or> 2 & 4
Q - What BIOS version?
Q - Which GA-890GPA-UD3H version? There's 4 of them
Q - What CPU?

 

[Xador]

Need the following to help:

Q - What RAM? A link best
Q - Is it a matched set of 2x4GB?
Q - What DIMM Slots are you using? {needs to be in DIMM 1 & 3 <or> 2 & 4
Q - What BIOS version?
Q - Which GA-890GPA-UD3H version? There's 4 of them
Q - What CPU?

RAM: Corsair XMS3 DDR3 PC10666/1333MHz CL9 2x4GB (CMX8GX3M2A1333C9)
Link: http://www.corsair.com/cmx8gx3m2a1333c9.html

"Q - Is it a matched set of 2x4GB?"
A - Uhmm yes..?

I tested both combinations: 1 and 2 1 and 3
I doubt 2 and 4 would make any difference.

'Bios version and date' Award software international, Inc FF, 2010-11-24
SMBIOS-version 2.4

Q - Which GA-890GPA-UD3H version? There's 4 of them
A- Revision 2.1 hopefully that's the answer you're looking for

The CPU is a AMD Phenom II X4 840 3.2ghz

 

[jaquith]

The RAM should work but it's not listed as Tested/compatible for your MOBO -> http://www2.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=1529911 but it is listed for the Phenom II http://www.corsair.com/memory/amd-memory-solutions/phenom-ii.html As I mentioned use DIMM 1 & 3 <or> 2 & 4 and not the others.

Not to harp on the RAM but posting here I see more issues with 4GB modules on 'older' MOBOs and enough to where I only recommend QVL or Tested kits.

Sometimes BIOS: DCTs Mode -> Ganged can help.

There's little point of running Memtest if you cannot get both sticks to work.

BIOS RAM verify:
Memory Clock -> 6.66
DRAM Configuration
CAS = 9-9-9-24
* DRAM Voltage Control -> 1.65v ; the RAM is Tested from 1.50v to 1.65v so start with 1.65v and try working your way down IF it corrects the problem.

The CPU requires BIOS {FD} minimum for the CPUID info http://www.gigabyte.us/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3516 BIOS {FF} is fine.

Q - is this an older PSU?

Next, gets complex it starts with pulling everything off the MOBO that's not essential: USB Headers, USB devices, re-seating at minimum the GPU, and RAM. If something is shorted e.g. USB it too can cause this problem.

A couple simple things to try: Clear CMOS jumper method, if the CMOS battery is old replace it, try DIMM slots 2 & 4.

Bottom-Line, IMO RMA the RAM for Corsair from this list -> http://www2.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=1529911

 

[Xador]

The RAM should work but it's not listed as Tested/compatible for your MOBO -> http://www2.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=1529911 but it is listed for the Phenom II http://www.corsair.com/memory/amd-memory-solutions/phenom-ii.html As I mentioned use DIMM 1 & 3 <or> 2 & 4 and not the others.

Not to harp on the RAM but posting here I see more issues with 4GB modules on 'older' MOBOs and enough to where I only recommend QVL or Tested kits.

Sometimes BIOS: DCTs Mode -> Ganged can help.

There's little point of running Memtest if you cannot get both sticks to work.

BIOS RAM verify:
Memory Clock -> 6.66
DRAM Configuration
CAS = 9-9-9-24
* DRAM Voltage Control -> 1.65v ; the RAM is Tested from 1.50v to 1.65v so start with 1.65v and try working your way down IF it corrects the problem.

The CPU requires BIOS {FD} minimum for the CPUID info http://www.gigabyte.us/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3516 BIOS {FF} is fine.

Q - is this an older PSU?

Next, gets complex it starts with pulling everything off the MOBO that's not essential: USB Headers, USB devices, re-seating at minimum the GPU, and RAM. If something is shorted e.g. USB it too can cause this problem.

A couple simple things to try: Clear CMOS jumper method, if the CMOS battery is old replace it, try DIMM slots 2 & 4.

Bottom-Line, IMO RMA the RAM for Corsair from this list -> http://www2.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=1529911

I don't really understand stuff like RMA and that, so I'm sort of in a dead end right now. All solutions I can come up with is using slot 2 and 4. If that doesn't work (which I doubt it will) then I could try updating BIOS. Anyways, thanks for the help!

I almost forgot, the psu is Corsair (TMP or something) V2 650W so it's brand new.

 

[jaquith]

RMA = Return Merchandise Authorization i.e. Return for exchange.
IMO = In My Opinion

IMO RMA the RAM for something listed as tested; CML8GX3M2A1600C9 -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

 

[Cerealkiller45_86]

I agree with jaquith's approach to resolving your issue. Those are the only logical approach you can take.

 

[Xador]

RMA = Return Merchandise Authorization i.e. Return for exchange.
IMO = In My Opinion

IMO RMA the RAM for something listed as tested; CML8GX3M2A1600C9 -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

Hey, quick update. I just tried putting the second RAM stick into slot 3. It worked completely fine in 10 minutes, then the blue screen showed up. All I could read in that short time was 'dumping physical memory to disc'. Then I started it up again and quickly searched Windows 7's log. I checked in the critical tab and there it was. It said Kernel Power and critical. Does that mean I could fix this by changing the voltage tweak in BIOS?

 

[jaquith]

Kernel Power itself means the PC shutdown unexpectedly. However, if the Critical errors indicated a crashed driver of something then look there. You normally don't get a dump with a sudden shutdown.

If you'd like post the last couple entries from the Event log here.

RAM in it's 'Default' SPD should never cause an error or trigger a shutdown, and if it does then it's 'bad' or 'incompatible' with your system. This is in contrast to a degree from running at higher a 'Rated Frequency' but 1333 MHz is not an OC for your CPU & MOBO.

 

[Xador]

Kernel Power itself means the PC shutdown unexpectedly. However, if the Critical errors indicated a crashed driver of something then look there. You normally don't get a dump with a sudden shutdown.

If you'd like post the last couple entries from the Event log here.

RAM in it's 'Default' SPD should never cause an error or trigger a shutdown, and if it does then it's 'bad' or 'incompatible' with your system. This is in contrast to a degree from running at higher a 'Rated Frequency' but 1333 MHz is not an OC for your CPU & MOBO.

All I could find that was somehow related to the RAM was the kernel power problem. So, I don't really know what else there is to tell.. How about the motherboard's DVD? It says AMD 8-series Utility DVD. It contains:

* Chipsets / Serial-ATA / RAID Network / Audio Drivers
* Microsoft Windows VISTA/XP

That's all.. Also, I've contacted the Gigabyte support.

 

[jaquith]

Use the Event Manager and [+] open the Critical Tree

 

[Xador]

Use the Event Manager and [+] open the Critical Tree
http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/Jaquith/Event_Manager.jpg

I know, and when I do that I can only see the kernel power problem. When I double-click on it I can see 3 kernel power incidents.

 

[jaquith]

Then it's a generic 'Sudden Shutdown' ambiguous type; like yanking out the power cord. I read 'dumping physical memory to disc' and ALL of those will write and flag a Critical Error??!!

I digress back to what I stated earlier 'Bottom-Line, IMO RMA the RAM for Corsair from this list'.

 

[Xador]

Then it's a generic 'Sudden Shutdown' ambiguous type; like yanking out the power cord. I read 'dumping physical memory to disc' and ALL of those will write and flag a Critical Error??!!

I digress back to what I stated earlier 'Bottom-Line, IMO RMA the RAM for Corsair from this list'.

Okay, so I'll see what the gigabyte support has to say about this. If they don't solve then I'll return the memory sticks.

 

[Xador]

Then it's a generic 'Sudden Shutdown' ambiguous type; like yanking out the power cord. I read 'dumping physical memory to disc' and ALL of those will write and flag a Critical Error??!!

I digress back to what I stated earlier 'Bottom-Line, IMO RMA the RAM for Corsair from this list'.

Alright, for a couple of days ago, the gigabyte support replied. He told me to:

1. Run a memtest with at least 3 passes

2. Update BIOS

First I ran a memtest with 1 RAM stick (the one I normally use). It passed all tests in about 30 minutes.
Then I tried running a memtest with both sticks and the test froze after 8 minutes!

Then, I used the second one (the unused) into slot 1, and it froze after 8 minutes again.. It seems like the second one is broken
So I guess I'll have to get a new couple then.

Thanks for all the help, it's really appreciated!