Gigabyte RAM upgrade won't boot.

[duncanmrbean]

Gigabyte GA-M720-US3 Mobo. AMD Phenom II 955 Black Edition CPU. BIOS v.F6.

I have tried to upgrade my RAM capability from 6Gb (2x Kingston HyperX KHX8500D2K2/2GN and 2x KHX8500D2K2/4GN) to 16Gb using the recommended 4x Samsung M378T5263AZ3-CF7 4Gb but the POST message displays there is a problem in the BIOS:

Warning! Now system is in Safe Mode
Please re-setting CPU frequency in the CMOS setup.

I can Boot with just two RAM's (8Gb) installed and also swapped them out for the other two and it still Boots ok, so it seems the RAM's themselves are ok.
Could someone walk me through what I need to adjust in the CMOS please?

I am not keen on fiddling about in the BIOS as I am unsure of what some of the settings are and having more than one name for the same thing on occasions.
Thanks in advance!
Old Git... but learning!

 

[brispuss]

First try moving the four Samsung memory modules into different slots. Try several combinations of this. This might help.

1) If this procedure fails, boot into BIOS and increase DDR2 Voltage Control setting voltage by 0.1 V. Save BIOS settings and reboot.

2) With the memory voltage increased, if still having problems, try once again moving the four Samsung modules into different slots, and try several combinations.

3) If still having problems, go to step "1)" again (increase DDR2 Voltage Control again by 0.1 V), then go to step "2)" again. And keep repeating steps "1)" and "2)" until successful.

 

[duncanmrbean]

I have updated the BIOS to F7n successfully. Set Optimized Defaults ok! Reboot success! with 2x M378T5263AZ3-CF7 (8Gb) RAM's installed. As suggested by Gigsabye themselves.
Shut down.... Installed the other 2x M378T5263AZ3-CF7 (8Gb) RAM's... Restarted... POST ok!... DMI Update Success!.... Flashes the Starting Windows screen, goes blank and then crashes goes into Boot Loop.
Removed the 2 extra RAM's and it starts fine.
Added One more RAM and continuous "beep" RAM fault. Swapped thing around lots and the same happens.

Would increasing the Voltage have any effect in this case? According to the BIOS the 2x1.8v Rams are rung at 1.97v already!

 

[brispuss]

Raising DDR2 Voltage Control voltage further may help.

But for now increase voltage for CPU NB VID Control one step, and try all memory modules again.

 

[duncanmrbean]

Hi there..... sorry for late response but it's been manic here!

Upped the RAM voltage..... I checked the BIOS after it managed to accept all 4 RAM's and they are finally all listed and seem to be functioning.

It is attempting to Boot into Windows but gets to the waving banner bit and crashes again and again....boot loop!

I am unsure what CPU NB VID Control will do to my system or where in the BIOS to find it?....How would this affect the "crashing" problem which now seems to be a Windows fault or is it the CPU that is "crashing" not Windows.... and is it fairly safe to mess with the CPU voltage???

Gigabyte suggested reloading Windows with the 4 RAM's installed but I haven't got half of my Old Program install discs any more so would loose quite a lot of my system.

Sorry if I am a bit dim but as a pensioner I am really out of my depth now!.... but having a go at least!!!

Regards,
Duncan.

 

[brispuss]

CPU NB VID Control is listed under MB Intelligent Tweaker section of BIOS, where the DDR2 Voltage Control setting is also located.

CPU NB VID Control adjusts voltage to the integrated memory controller. Raising the IMC voltage might help to get all four memory modules to work (stably).

 

[duncanmrbean]

Hello again my friend.... Sorry it's been a while but I haven't been too well and got out of Hospital Monday. Free at last!!!
Much better now.

To continue.... I have tried as you suggested and pushed the CPU NB VID Control up and eventually went up about 8 steps but to no avail I am sad to say.
All is fine until it says "Starting Windows" and just as the first pixel of the Banner appears it goes into the reboot cycle.

The RAM's are all listed as functioning in the BIOS but it just will not run on all 4...! Also it will not run on 3 (3x4Gb identical PN's) either but surely that should work shouldn't it?

The MOBO is rated for my setup to a Maximum of 16Gb RAM so it should I would have thought run with 12Gb installed too. I think I may have to give up and buy some Hyper-x RAM's which were ok before although only 2x2Gb and 2x1Gb in 4 slots.

Any further suggestions gratefully received
Regards,
Duncan.

 

[brispuss]

Good to know you're OK!!

Unfortunately it seems the memory modules are not fully compatible with each other (due to variances in module characteristics).

Each memory module has unique characteristics. This applies also to modules with the same part numbers. In order for modules to work together compatibly requires that their respective characteristics are similar (not 100 % identical as this is impossible, but getting close to it).

Ideally a "quad channel" memory kit consisting of 4 x 4 GB modules should be used, as the four modules have been tested for and guaranteed to be compatible with each other. The quad channel kit modules are also dual channel compatible. So this would save a lot of time otherwise trying to get four individual modules (NOT from a dual/quad channel kit) to work together.

There are three options. But first reset system to default settings by clearing CMOS (this will reset all voltages and timings etc).

1) Get more individual 4 GB Samsung modules and try various combinations of four of these modules until a compatible combination is found. The problem is this may take some time and more expense until an inter-module compatible combination is found. So this is not really a recommended option.

2) Get a 4 x 4 GB quad channel kit to replace the existing 4 GB Samsung modules which could be returned for refund, sold, or kept as backup. This option is usually recommended as it usually saves time (and money) in finding compatible memory.

3) Try two 2 x 4 GB dual channel kits together. But there is no guarantee of the two kits being compatible with each other due to module characteristic variations, even if the kits are exactly the same part number. Again it might require trying several dual channel kits until a compatible combination is found. This also is not really a recommended option.

I've found two DDR2 4 x 4 GB quad channel kits which may be compatible with the system. Can't guarantee system compatibility owing to lack of available technical specification of AMD processors (typical of AMD unfortunately). Sorry.

Could try either or both of these quad channel kits and see if they work in your system -

G.Skill -

part number F2-6400CL6Q-16GBMQ

or part number F2-6400CL5Q-16GBPQ

In the event either or both kits do not work in your system, return them for a refund. Make sure the memory seller accepts returns in the event of system incompatibility.

If this happens then try two 2 x 4 GB dual channel kits until a compatible combination is found.

Or try other 4 GB individual modules until a compatible combination is found.

 

[duncanmrbean]

[Hi again.

Thanks for trying to resolve this with me but I think your suggestion is the only way out for me now. I have tried just about everything we can think of and even invented a few more expletives to help matters along! :/

These RAM's that I bought seem to be quite well sought after so I don't think I will have too much problem in reselling them for even as small profit as they are trending at a quite high price in comparison to other older RAM's.

Thanks for your patience and welcomed help.

Kind regards,
Duncan.

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