Question Can't boot with both RAM slots occupied ?

[DVIASKER]

Hi!



I'm making an 4770k build with a GTX 1070 and 16 GBs of ram on an ASRock b85m-dgs motherboard.

I've tried 5 different 8 GB ram modules, all of them Kingston.

-2 kit of 8GB Savage (1866 MHz, but gets downgraded because maximal supported is 1600 by the Mobo)

-2 kit of 8GB Fury (1600 MHz)

-1 piece of a 2 kit 8GB HyperX Beast (1600 MHz)

I also have 2 of a 2 kit 2 GB memory modules, these don't have heatsinks, but 1600 MHz too.

I know the listed memory modules work, I have tested them in 2 different mobos, and the ASRock one too. The problem is: If there's only one stick in the motherboard, in the B slot (further form the CPU) it posts BIOS and I can access everything, I see my other PC parts, everything. If I connect another 8 GB stick into the A slot it won't post bios, it powers up and in 4 seconds or so it shuts down. It powers up again and rinse and repeat. However, if I place a 2 GB stick into the other slot it all works.

I have already:

- reseted the CMOS (many many times)

- unplugged the CMOS battery and reinserted it after 5 or so minutes (needed because of the amount of RAM switching)

- unplugged the videocard

- checked if there's a scratch on the back of the motherboard (there was none at the time)

- methodically went through all the combinations of the 2 slots to the 5 memory sticks.



Ideally I would like to use both the 1866 MHz modules as the PCs memory, I won't worry about not performing to the fullest it was the same price as slower.



Have not yet done but would do:

- update BIOS

- let it power up and down again for 12 minutes, maybe it just wants to RAM learn

- unplug Battery as many times as a new configuration of ram is tested



What can I do?

How long does one cycle take of RAM learning?

Thank you for helping!

 

[Ralston18]

This motherboard?

http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1150/B85M-G/E8146_B85M-G.pdf

[Note: Verify that I found the applicable User Guide.]

Double check both the RAM specs and RAM installation configurations per physically numbered Pages: vi [Memory], 1-7, 1-8, and Page 2-12 [Section 2.5 Ai Tweaker menu].

Also, as is recommend by the User Guide/Manual, do visit the Asus website to check the QVL (Qualified Vendors List) and look for other updates regarding RAM and supported RAM configuraions.

Take a look in the website's FAQ's and Forums as well.

Hopefully there is just some configuration error of omission or commission.

And read through the entire User Manual just to confirm that everything else is correctly installed and configured. Details matter.

 

[DVIASKER]

This motherboard?

http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1150/B85M-G/E8146_B85M-G.pdf

[Note: Verify that I found the applicable User Guide.]

No it's not that one.
It's this one: https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B85M-DGS/index.us.asp

 

[DVIASKER]

No it's not that one.
It's this one: https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/B85M-DGS/index.us.asp

I looked into it more and it goes like this:
If I have a 2 GB stick on the left one and an 8 GB one on the right it goes well.
However if I have an 8 GB on the left nothing works.
Latest BIOS, what do I do?

 

[Ralston18]

Do I understand correctly that the 2 kit of 8GB Savage (1866 MHz) works even though it gets downgraded to 1600?

1600 MHz being the max supported by the motherboard.

Link:

https://download.asrock.com/Manual/B85M-DGS.pdf

Only two DIMM slots. I did not note any requirement that the first physically installed RAM module be placed in a specific DIMM slot.

Some motherboards require that.

As before refer to the User Manual to double check that all installed components are indeed supported.

Ensure that both RAM modules are from a matched kit and tested to work together.

Then take a close look a Section 3.2 A-tuning that begins on physically numbered Page 23. Per Paragraph 3.2.1 A-Tuning is mentioned as being automatically installed.

It appears that there are quite a number of advanced "A-Tuning" settings available. However, the manual just shows generic and unreadable screens.

You will have to work through the screens and check the configuration options as they are (likely default values) and what other choices you can make.

Focus first on getting the build working and stable with 2 x 8GB modules even if working at 1600 MHz.

 

[DVIASKER]

Do I understand correctly that the 2 kit of 8GB Savage (1866 MHz) works even though it gets downgraded to 1600?

1600 MHz being the max supported by the motherboard.

Link:

https://download.asrock.com/Manual/B85M-DGS.pdf

Yes, it does get downgraded, its this one preciesly: HX318C9SRK2/16

Only two DIMM slots. I did not note any requirement that the first physically installed RAM module be placed in a specific DIMM slot.

Some motherboards require that.

I do see what you mean, but could not see anything listed about this.

As before refer to the User Manual to double check that all installed components are indeed supported.

Ensure that both RAM modules are from a matched kit and tested to work together.

Both of them work well. I have tested all the listed ram in my other motherboard, and this ASRock's left slot (DIMM DDR3_B1).
The other 8GBs i tested:

• HX316C10FK2/16 (both of them work well and use these in my main pc, would be willing to change them to this motherboard if they worked, but yet they don't work.)
• KHX16C9T3K2/16X only one of this kit(, the other one doesn't work.)

Then take a close look a Section 3.2 A-tuning that begins on physically numbered Page 23. Per Paragraph 3.2.1 A-Tuning is mentioned as being automatically installed.

It appears that there are quite a number of advanced "A-Tuning" settings available. However, the manual just shows generic and unreadable screens.

You will have to work through the screens and check the configuration options as they are (likely default values) and what other choices you can make.

This is all in the operating system? I mean inside windows, an installed executable. If that's the case, I would only go there if really needed. As of right now i did not go further from BIOS, i would like to continue with 2*8 GBs of memory.

Focus first on getting the build working and stable with 2 x 8GB modules even if working at 1600 MHz.

This is my problem too now, the DIMM seems faulty, but not entirely, only to 8GB sticks.

Okay, I have now tested the motherboards left slot with a 4 GB stick too. That works.

I can in this way get a maximum 12 GBs of ram.

So i have been able to get into the BIOS with 2(both sides seperate), 4(4 both sides separate and 2+2), 8 (only on the left B dimm), 10 (2+8) and 12 (4+8) gigabytes of memory, but never when i have an 8 GB module in the right, DIMM DDR3_A1 slot.
How could I fix the DDR3 slot to support the 8 GBs it should?
Thank you for your continued support!

 

[Ralston18]

This:

"This is all in the operating system? I mean inside windows, an installed executable. If that's the case, I would only go there if really needed. As of right now i did not go further from BIOS, i would like to continue with 2*8 GBs of memory. "

Check via Task Manager, Resource Monitor, and Process Explorer if A-Tuning is installed and being launched at startup. Or otherwise being opened via Task Scheduler.

Process Explorer - Microsoft, free.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer

You do not need to use it but if A-Tuning is being launched at startup then it could be causing some sort of conflicts per the default configurations.

At least check the current configuration and options that A-Tuning may be using or trying to use. Just as a matter of elimination.

 

[DVIASKER]

There's no windows and no other operating system in this system now.
It's only an empty Day 0 SSD and a used but wiped HDD.
I have only been in the BIOS.
Would You like me to install a Windows on the SSD to test that theory?

 

[SkyNetRising]

How could I fix the DDR3 slot to support the 8 GBs it should?

Check cpu socket for bent/broken pins.

 

[DVIASKER]

Is there any point to clean the DIMM with isopropyl and microfiber?
I will take it apart, and see if the pins have damage, but it may be only on the 24th.

 

[DVIASKER]

I didn't clean it, tested lots again, nothing worked.

On the 24th I've got the beeper, it did say not able to read memory, and i talked to about 4 different pc mechanics and 3 of them said the motherboards life has come to an end.
But... I opened the thing up, got the i7 out, and looked at the pins.
All of them were in pristine condition. I'm talking not even scratch nothing. You know what was the problem?

You wouldn't guess. there was 3 little microscopic lint pieces in the socket. Smaller than .2 milimeters in diameter, shorter then 3 milimeters in lenght.
My girl helped me get them out with tweezers and a steady hand.
Now back in case, BIOS sees all the 2*8GBs and works well.
So I'm in windows now and works well.

Thank you for help and helping lots.