Memory recognized, but not booting past BIOS

[mdisandro]

I purchased 2X KHX16C9B1BK2/8 to upgrade my machine. When I put in more than 1 stick, the PC will not even POST to BIOS. If I put in 1 stick (4GB), I can get to BIOS, but will not boot to Windows 7 (Blue screen flashes and then rig shuts down).

I tried XMP off and on, tried changing memory settings to various options (limited). This MOBO does not allow changes to voltage.

 

[mdisandro]

As additional info, I had 4GB total memory in my machine from 2x2GB sticks of 1600 memory (Kingston HyperX KHX1600C8D3K2/4GX kit). I had it for about 4 years now. One of the sticks went bad with several errors showing in MemTest (and various random errors during operations). Worked fine for last couple of weeks with one stick (no more random errors), but limited memory so wanted to upgrade. Purchasedhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=KHX16C9B1BK2%2F8&N=-1&isNodeId=1

 

[mdisandro]

Machine info not showing:
MSI p55M-GD41 MOBO
WD1002FAEX (1TB HD))
WD320GB (320GB HD)
i5-661
(LGA1156)
Gigabyte GeForce GTX650 Windows 7 Ultimate

 

[jnewegger23]

I wonder if your win7 is corrupt or your hard drive is having issues. Also is win7 ultimate x64 or 32bit?

 

[mdisandro]

Thanks for the response. I was thinking along similar lines. I had an old hard drive with XP (32-bit), plugged it in and ran fine with old 2GB stick, but not 4GB stick (same issues). Also reinstalled Windows 7 on brand new drive. Installed like a charm. Both XP and Win7 had no issues running with the old 2GB stick, but with new 4GB sticks can get into BIOS with 1 4GB stick, but flash of BSOD just as windows starts to boot, then shut down. Not even to BIOS with 2 sticks. Using Win 7 Ultimate 64-bit.

I am assuming it has something to do with a BIOS setting that I am not familiar with, but I don't know what. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[jnewegger23]

Wow, it sounds like you've been pretty thorough. However, try updating the bios. With your newer sized stick perhaps there's been an update that allows better compatibility or something that is currently lacking. I can only hope. Please let us know how this progresses. Good luck!

 

[mdisandro]

Thanks for the suggestion. So I went and updated the BIOS, but no go. I also just went to the store to buy yet another set of sticks just for kicks and no go. The old memory was 1600 8-8-8-24 1.6V. The original new memory was 1600 9-9-9-27 1.65V. So I thought I would try something a little different. I purchased 1333 9-9-9-24, but still no go. This is frustrating. I will try another fresh install of Win7. Maybe the stars will align and that will make it work........

Thanks for all your suggestions.

 

[jnewegger23]

Make sure to try with only 1 stick in the appropriate slot. If that works try again with 1 stick in the same slot to make sure both sticks are good whichever of the 7,809 that you've tried! j/k. Anyhow, sometimes putting pairs of sticks in slots the mobo wasn't designed for can cause issues so be alert for that too (check your manual as to mobo preferences; alternating dual channel slots etc.). Wishing you better luck!

 

[mdisandro]

Thanks again. Will do fresh Win7 install tomorrow morning and try with 1 stick first (as I have been doing) to see if that changes anything. Thinking out loud, starting to wonder if it has to do with the chipset (P55). That is, the MOBO is "too old" for newer memory. Theoretically it should work, but maybe the CAS latency of 9 is throwing it off. The memory that worked in the past was C8. I will see if I can find some C8 memory around here somewhere. I did change the latency and other settings in the BIOS, but not situation resulted in a boot to windows.

I have been putting 1 stick in the designated slot for a 1 stick configuration. But I also tried the 2nd/dual slot just to see if it changed anything. Nothing changed. Still no boot. I guess I could try the 3rd and 4th just to see. Have nothing to lose at this point.

 

[mdisandro]

Tried to reinstall Win7 Ultimate 64-bit with 1 stick of new memory in board, but get BSOD a short time after the DVD starts loading the installation files. So no go.

Also tried resetting CMOS. No change.

If anyone has any suggestions, let me know.

 

[kingstonhq]

Hello, I'm Jewel with Kingston Technical Support. The issue could be that a lot of 4GB memory has moved to being Single Rank. Meaning they are using higher capacity (or density) DRAM chips than the prior 4GB modules which were Dual Rank. Which is why there really aren't very many 2GB modules left in circulation as they are no longer being manufactured as the chips needs to make them are becoming unavailable. Kingston no longer supports your P55M-GD41 motherboard as all the compatible memory has been discontined and the replacements are not vaible for that system as they are Single Rank 4GB modules. We can have the faulty 2GB modules come in and attempt a repair or possibly find a viable replacement. We can also look up the modules you received to check if it is dual rank or single rank and troubleshoot from there. Please call us at 1-800-435-0640 (USA and Canada only) M - F 6am - 6pm PT and I or another available Technician will assist you. Please be sure to have the part in question on hand when you call.

Thank you for selecting Kingston as your upgrade partner.

 

[mdisandro]

Thanks for the info. The original kit I purchased a few years ago was KHX1600C8D3K2/4GX. The new kit is KHX16C9B1BK2/8. Both are HyperX 1600 and 1.65v. But different in many other ways. I'm guessing the best answer at this point is to find "old" memory or upgrade the board.

 

[jnewegger23]

Awesome that kingston jumped in directly! I hope this gets you back up and running asap!