Question Puter will not Boot with PNY 8gb DDR3 RAM

[BudsPuter]

Hi all
I have been an observer of Tom's Hardware Forums for years.
First time that I needed some serious help.

I have a older Puter build:
ASRock 870 Extreme 3 MB with a AMD Phenom II X6 1050T Processor.
RAM is two 2GB sticks "Dual Channel" of Mushkin Essentials® — 4GB (2X2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666 1333 9-9-9-24 Essentials (996586)
Windows 10 64 bit.
I decided that I wanted to move up to 8GB of RAM so I purchased a single 8GB Stick of PNY 8GB DDR3 1600 PC3-12800 RAM
I removed the 2 sticks of Mushkin RAM and inserted the single PNY RAM.
Turn on the Computer and nothing on Monitor..No matter which memory bay I install it in A1, B1, A2, B2 the same thing.
I remove it and put the Mushkin RAM back into Blue Slots A1-B1 and everything is as it has been for years.
I then install the PNY RAM into the White Slot A1

The Computer boots to BIOS I see 12GB of RAM each slot shows 667 / 1333
Exit BIOS and the computer will go to the opening page..I put in my password and the Puter freezes.
OR it will just reset before it gets that far..to a blue screen stating that the computer has failed to start.
I put the PNY in the other white slot B2 Same thing.

It just seems like my Computer does not like the PNY RAM.
I don't know if it because it is only 1 stick in a Dual Channel slot or what.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks..

Bud

 

[COLGeek]

Mixing memory makes/models can cause these sorts of issues, often resulting in undesirable outcomes.

In your BIOS, is the memory speed set to AUTO or DEFAULT, or are your memory settings manually configured? If anything other than AUTO, set to AUTO and try again.

You will be running in single channel mode if you mix the memory. For best results, you should always install matched pairs of memory.

 

[BudsPuter]

Hi
COLGeek

Memory Clock and DRAM in BIOS are both set to "AUTO"

When I have the two original RAM modules installed the BIOS Shows
* 4GB of Memory
Slot 1: 667 / 1333 (2GB)
Slot 2: 667 / 1333 (2GB)

When I install the PNY RAM into Slot 3 the BIOS Shows:
* 12GB Memory
Slot 1: 667 / 1333 (2GB)
Slot2: 667 / 1333 (2GB)
Slot 3: 667 / 1333 (8GB)

Yet the Computer will not Fully Startup.

Everything that I saw online indicates that I could use a Single Stick of RAM or Dual.
As I am not doing any gaming with my puter I thought that 2 sticks were really not needed.
I also saw online that many will put in 1 Stick of RAM and that leaves the possibility of a 2nd Stick later on.

From the MB Manual:

1) If you want to install two memory modules, for optimal compatibility
and reliability, it is recommended to install them in the slots of the
same color. In other words, install them either in the set of blue slots
(DDR3_A1 and DDR3_B1), or in the set of white slots (DDR3_A2
and DDR3_B2).

2). If only one memory module or three memory modules are installed
in the DDR3 DIMM slots on this motherboard, it is unable to activate
the Dual Channel Memory Technology.

I understand that I will not have Dual Channel with only 1 memory module BUT will it not let the Puter Run?

3). If a pair of memory modules is NOT installed in the same Dual
Channel, for example, installing a pair of memory modules in
DDR3_A1 and DDR3_A2, it is unable to activate the Dual Channel
Memory Technology .

4). It is not allowed to install a DDR or DDR2 memory module into
DDR3 slot; otherwise, this motherboard and DIMM may be damaged.

5) . If you adopt DDR3 1800/1600 memory modules on this motherboard,
it is recommended to install them on DDR3_A2 and DDR3_B2 slots.

I have to be missing something here..
I just don't know what..
I have installed RAM in a lot of computers..this is the first time that I installed only 1 module...
Maybe for some reason my Computer wants 2 modules..and will not function with 1 or 3
The PNY Module states that it is compatible with 1333 and the BIOS shows it at 1333
I don't get it...
With just the PNY Installed I cannot get into the BIOS..nothing on the screen at all
The old saying Lights are on but nobody's home..LOL
The MB does show a digital # let me see if I can run down the error code.
Help!

 

[geofelt]

My reading shows the specs for your motherboard as having a max ram capacity of 16gb and 4 ram slots.
I suspect that the motherboard has a limitation of 4gb per ram slot.
That would explain why the 8gb pny stick is not working.

If you can, return the ram and buy a 2 x 4gb ram kit with specs like your current ram.
You should have a working 2 x 4gb setup.
Then try adding your old ram and see if it works.
If it does, lucky you, you have 12gb.
Test your ram with memtest86.
It boots from a usb stick and does not use windows.
You should be able to complete a full pass with NO errors.

 

[BudsPuter]

Hi all
I shut down my Computer and removed the 2 modules 2GB so I could put in the PNY and see what the ASRock' Dr Debug display would read.
I put in the PNY Module into Slot B1 specified for 1600 RAM which is listed on my PNY Module..
The Computer started without a hitch and I am using it now.
I'm sure that I tried that slot before.
CPU-Z shows 1 module at 8GB

I'm at a loss but I'll take it!
Thank you to
COLGeek
geofelt
For your responses on a Sunday!
As I am at home "Self Isolating" now I can play on my Puter!

I was running some programs that were pegging my RAM at it's 4GB limit now I run them and they are at 4GB but I have 4GB of headroom so I'm happy it all worked out.
Enjoy your Sunday!

 

[COLGeek]

Game on!

 

[SteamGuy]

Hi
COLGeek

Memory Clock and DRAM in BIOS are both set to "AUTO"

When I have the two original RAM modules installed the BIOS Shows
* 4GB of Memory
Slot 1: 667 / 1333 (2GB)
Slot 2: 667 / 1333 (2GB)

When I install the PNY RAM into Slot 3 the BIOS Shows:
* 12GB Memory
Slot 1: 667 / 1333 (2GB)
Slot2: 667 / 1333 (2GB)
Slot 3: 667 / 1333 (8GB)

Yet the Computer will not Fully Startup.

Everything that I saw online indicates that I could use a Single Stick of RAM or Dual.
As I am not doing any gaming with my puter I thought that 2 sticks were really not needed.
I also saw online that many will put in 1 Stick of RAM and that leaves the possibility of a 2nd Stick later on.

From the MB Manual:

1) If you want to install two memory modules, for optimal compatibility
and reliability, it is recommended to install them in the slots of the
same color. In other words, install them either in the set of blue slots
(DDR3_A1 and DDR3_B1), or in the set of white slots (DDR3_A2
and DDR3_B2).

2). If only one memory module or three memory modules are installed
in the DDR3 DIMM slots on this motherboard, it is unable to activate
the Dual Channel Memory Technology.

I understand that I will not have Dual Channel with only 1 memory module BUT will it not let the Puter Run?

3). If a pair of memory modules is NOT installed in the same Dual
Channel, for example, installing a pair of memory modules in
DDR3_A1 and DDR3_A2, it is unable to activate the Dual Channel
Memory Technology .

4). It is not allowed to install a DDR or DDR2 memory module into
DDR3 slot; otherwise, this motherboard and DIMM may be damaged.

5) . If you adopt DDR3 1800/1600 memory modules on this motherboard,
it is recommended to install them on DDR3_A2 and DDR3_B2 slots. dqfansurvey.com

I have to be missing something here..
I just don't know what..
I have installed RAM in a lot of computers..this is the first time that I installed only 1 module...
Maybe for some reason my Computer wants 2 modules..and will not function with 1 or 3
The PNY Module states that it is compatible with 1333 and the BIOS shows it at 1333
I don't get it...
With just the PNY Installed I cannot get into the BIOS..nothing on the screen at all
The old saying Lights are on but nobody's home..LOL
The MB does show a digital # let me see if I can run down the error code.
Help!

Many thanks for that complete information!