[SOLVED] 2x4GB dual channel not working

[mivaaan]

Hello everyone,

I have got bit of a problem with my RAM slots.
The story:
I just built a new PC, and after I was done, the machine started and it shutted down in 1-2 sec.
I figured it out that the issue is connected to the RAMs. If I try to start it as dual channel it will never start. But if I remove one of them, it runs without a problem. Both of the RAMs works "alone", so both of them are working well.
My motherboard has 4 RAM slots (2 white and 2 blue). I tested every possible combinations, and it works if I put one RAM in the white and one in the blue (and the system shows the 8GB). But it is not dual channel like this.
So I tested more options. If I use any of the 2 slots, which are closer to the CPU, the system is not starting. In any combinations if there is a RAM in these slots (closer to the cpu, 1 white and 1 blue), the system shut down itself after just 1-2 seconds.

So are those 2 slots "dead", or I can do something to check them or anything? Do you have any idea what could I do to make them work?
Also, am I losing much if I leave them as it is now and use the 2x4GB, like one in the white and one in the blue, so not in dual channel?
I also had the idea to update the BIOS, if it could be the problem. But I could not update it in the BIOS, because it does not show the file I downloaded (I followed the steps of a guide, but I cannot see the extacted file). Can I somehow update the BIOS in the Windows (64 bit)?

Components:
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P67A-D3-B3 (rev. 1.0)
RAM: Corsair CMX4GX3M1A1600C9 (2x4GB)

Thanks for any help or idea, in advance!

 

[Darkbreeze]

To help with your English, let me just offer that it didn't "shutted down", it "Shut down". Shutted down, is so, so wrong. Just so you know, and can fix that so your English will improve.

Based on that part number, those are single modules, not matched sticks that come in a kit. There are NO guarantees when you buy single memory modules and then try to pair them together. The ONLY way memory is guaranteed to work together and "play nice" is when it is purchased TOGETHER IN A SINGLE KIT, regardless of the number of memory modules. This applies whether it is two sticks or eight sticks.

My advice would be, sell those sticks and buy a kit where the memory comes together and has been tested at the factory for compatibility. Those sticks, have not.

How To - Troubleshooting problems with PC memory (RAM) and XMP profile configurations

In the beginning, there was......BIOS Before you go ANY further, go to the manufacturer product page for your specific motherboard model AND revision. Revision is an important aspect because for any given motherboard there may be more than one version of that model which will be identified...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[mivaaan]

To help with your English, let me just offer that it didn't "shutted down", it "Shut down". Shutted down, is so, so wrong. Just so you know, and can fix that so your English will improve.

Based on that part number, those are single modules, not matched sticks that come in a kit. There are NO guarantees when you buy single memory modules and then try to pair them together. The ONLY way memory is guaranteed to work together and "play nice" is when it is purchased TOGETHER IN A SINGLE KIT, regardless of the number of memory modules. This applies whether it is two sticks or eight sticks.

My advice would be, sell those sticks and buy a kit where the memory comes together and has been tested at the factory for compatibility. Those sticks, have not.

How To - Troubleshooting problems with PC memory (RAM) and XMP profile configurations

In the beginning, there was......BIOS Before you go ANY further, go to the manufacturer product page for your specific motherboard model AND revision. Revision is an important aspect because for any given motherboard there may be more than one version of that model which will be identified...

forums.tomshardware.com

Yes, sorry for my english mistake.

I forgot to mention that I had 2x2GB Kingston in my previous setup, and it ran without any problem in dual channel. I tried to boot my new pc, with these previous Kingston RAMs and it couldn't start in dual channel.
So, I guess it should be something else, that cause this issue.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Maybe, but not necessarily. Those sticks may not be compatible with your motherboard. Not all memory kits are compatible with all motherboards even if they are technically the right "kind" of memory. That is why there are motherboard QVL and memory manufacturer compatibility lists. I'd find the model of the memory kit then check the Kingston website to see if they show it as being compatible with that motherboard, although I wouldn't old out too much hope because Kingston does not seem to have a compatibility checker where you can filter by motherboard against memory kit model to determine if a given kit is compatible or not like you can with the G.Skill memory configurator or the the Corsair memory finder.

Beyond that, yes there are some other reasons.

To begin with, you need to make sure you are using the second and fourth DIMM slots over from the CPU socket, and NO others. Those are the ONLY two slots that should be used with two DIMM population. If you cannot use those two slots then there IS something else wrong. Whether that something else is a problem with the memory, or the motherboard, or the CPU, or something else like a motherboard standoff in the wrong place under the board, or a screw/fastener caught between the case and motherboard, either of which could be shorting something out, or a bent pin on the CPU or motherboard, or a CPU cooler that is unevenly tightened and is causing the CPU to tilt in the socket and is breaking contact on some pins which will make it ACT as though there are bent pins, is anybody's guess and will require further investigation on your part, but it's something.

It could also be that you simply need to check for and install the latest BIOS version in some cases. On a system this old, that is unlikely, but not impossible. This could also be a case of memory on your old system that was low density DDR3 and your new system being new enough that it requires high density DDR3 memory modules. Compatibility is a key component, even on a brand new motherboard with brand new memory modules.

Also, since your current memory is made up of single modules put together I have no idea whether your older kit was as well, and if it was, it might have worked fine that way on your old motherboard but might NOT work that way on this board. Every memory module and every motherboard are going to have the potential for a different result EXCEPT when the memory is purchased together is a single kit AND is known to be compatible with that board according to the memory manufacturer.

It would be wise to READ the recommendations I have made in the guide I linked you to, and follow them.

 

[mivaaan]

Maybe, but not necessarily. Those sticks may not be compatible with your motherboard. Not all memory kits are compatible with all motherboards even if they are technically the right "kind" of memory. That is why there are motherboard QVL and memory manufacturer compatibility lists. I'd find the model of the memory kit then check the Kingston website to see if they show it as being compatible with that motherboard, although I wouldn't old out too much hope because Kingston does not seem to have a compatibility checker where you can filter by motherboard against memory kit model to determine if a given kit is compatible or not like you can with the G.Skill memory configurator or the the Corsair memory finder.

Beyond that, yes there are some other reasons.

To begin with, you need to make sure you are using the second and fourth DIMM slots over from the CPU socket, and NO others. Those are the ONLY two slots that should be used with two DIMM population. If you cannot use those two slots then there IS something else wrong. Whether that something else is a problem with the memory, or the motherboard, or the CPU, or something else like a motherboard standoff in the wrong place under the board, or a screw/fastener caught between the case and motherboard, either of which could be shorting something out, or a bent pin on the CPU or motherboard, or a CPU cooler that is unevenly tightened and is causing the CPU to tilt in the socket and is breaking contact on some pins which will make it ACT as though there are bent pins, is anybody's guess and will require further investigation on your part, but it's something.

It could also be that you simply need to check for and install the latest BIOS version in some cases. On a system this old, that is unlikely, but not impossible. This could also be a case of memory on your old system that was low density DDR3 and your new system being new enough that it requires high density DDR3 memory modules. Compatibility is a key component, even on a brand new motherboard with brand new memory modules.

Also, since your current memory is made up of single modules put together I have no idea whether your older kit was as well, and if it was, it might have worked fine that way on your old motherboard but might NOT work that way on this board. Every memory module and every motherboard are going to have the potential for a different result EXCEPT when the memory is purchased together is a single kit AND is known to be compatible with that board according to the memory manufacturer.

It would be wise to READ the recommendations I have made in the guide I linked you to, and follow them.

Thank you for helping me!
I will investigate and check all the things you suggested and hopefully I can find a solution. Now the new setup works fine, without any problems, except the memory issue.