New RAM caused boot loop

[traycerb]

I have a Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3-P3 (DualBios, flashed years ago to UEFI) with i5-2500k with 8GB DDR3. With multitasking, my memory would run low, so I bought another 8GB on ebay (Ballistix sport) from a reputable buyer to complement my 8GB g.skill ripjaws, to hold me off for another year or so before I would buy a new computer. Old and new RAM are both DDR3-1333 with identical timings (though obviously better to have same manufacturer, etc).

After installing the RAM though, my computer failed to POST, no beep even, just a black screen. Eventually I rebooted and it went to the "Corrupt BIOS" screen and BIOS was restored from backup BIOS (the process appeared to complete and the progress bar went to the end) and it rebooted.

This got me back to the regular restored BIOS, but subsequently it complained of no boot device found. Now on reboot, it doesn't even beep and display is totally blank, and it just reboots. Occasionally it shows a brief splash screen and progresses to a blue UEFI screen (looks similar to repair screen), but it loops again fruitlessly. Of course, I've removed the RAM and have tried with known good RAM, and even without any RAM at all, or any drives. Still no beeps, pressing on keyboard doesn't help, etc. I can't even flash a new BIOS from USB, because it doesn't even get to that point.

I have tried all I can to trigger repeat repair from backup BIOS (removing CMOS battery, shorting CLR_CMOS pins, holding down power while switching on PSU multiple times, holding down power and reset x10 secs, shorting pins 1&6 of the m_BIOS chip during reboot), to no avail.

Am I out of options? Is backup BIOS gone too? I googled and saw I could buy the BIOS chip, but it doesn't look to be an easy soldering job at all.

 

[Calvin7]

Adding extra memory causes additional stress to be placed on the memory controller. As a result, the existing memory may no longer be able to operate at rated specifications or the PC may not boot at all.

Memory is guaranteed to be compatible in the form sold. Combinations made up from matching up identical part numbers have no guarantee to be compatible together.

Clearing the CMOS when making hardware changes may help. Prior to clearing the CMOS, record any custom BIOS option values that you have to easily restore them after the BIOS reverts to default values.

 

[traycerb]

It's not really about the memory at this point (though plenty of people mix memory), but about recovering the BIOS.

 

[sendtomikaela]

It's not really about the memory at this point (though plenty of people mix memory), but about recovering the BIOS.

Hi there, it seems we have the same issue. I thought mine was the RAM because I cleaned my PC and tried over clocking it, but that actually corrupted / damaged the BIOS. My screen went blank, the keyboard and mouse didn't receive any signal or power. It didn't detect my 2nd SSD, but the OS wasn't in that fortunately and my PC boot loops.

I solved mine by persistently resetting the CMOS countless times. I unplugged the PC, held the power button up to 30 seconds, turned it on and waited for 2 - 10mins hoping it would boot. I did this repeatedly until it actually boots. It was a pain. When it did, I got an error saying "bios is damaged", then the bios loaded in and it asked me to load in the bios files to recover it. I downloaded the files from the motherboard's website and stored it in the USB. But I first formatted the USB and changed it into FAT32 (default). I only placed the file which was (.Q20 for MSI / .CAP for ASUS ). I didn't include .exe or the .text files.

Here are pictures:
https://imgur.com/a/abZMM

I hope this works.

 

[traycerb]

just in case this is helpful for anyone else, I solved this the hard way. I removed and reflashed the bios using a CH341a usb programmer.. i had to do both, the main and the backup. and it seems to be working. It did require a somewhat difficult soldering, but it was manageable.