RAM stick kind of works but doesn't?

[napster100]

Hi guys, I've made a build for a friend and used RAM from his old PC, its DDR3 and brought a new stick to go in with it, both are 4GB totaling 8GB, both are DDR3 and clearly fit into the slot, however the new one worked in the old machine but sort of does but doesn't in the new build (a new mobo too). If I put the old RAM stick in the new build it boots fine from both slots, if I put the new one in it wont boot from either slot, appears to be fried RAM right, but it works in the old build and if I put both sticks into the new build it does boot (from my experience if one stick is dodgy it wont boot), windows says theres only 4GB when theres 8GB, and I've opened Speccy (from Primform) and it detects both sticks, but the OS and BIOS only sees the one.

How can this be?

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

Do both RAM modules match one another? Is the BIOS set to use custom timings? It could be as simple as a bad setting in BIOS causing the one RAM stick to fail. Have you tried any memory testing software?

With the RAM module you question to be faulty in the old system, run a memory test on it and see if it errors out, or checks out fine. Also, it's worth looking at the timings for the module in that computer, if it works properly. Set the new computer to those timings and try the RAM module again.

Windows Memory Diagnostic

MemTest86

Memtest86+

 

[Tradesman1]

What are the model #s of the DRAM - also what mobo and CPU?

 

[spooky2th]

Also, what OS? 32 or 64bit?

 

[napster100]

It's an Asus P5G41T-M LX2/GB Mobo, Intel Pentium 4 @ 3.2GHz, the RAM sticks are both 4GB but different brands (I've never had problems occur due to different brands before), this is everything on stick 1 (the new dodgy stick) "ELPIDA 4GB 1Rx8 PC3-14900E-13-12-D1, EBJ40EG8BFWB-JS-F 1349NK436229 S2" I believe everything after the comma is just part numbers and serials etc... But just in case it's not I added them anyway. Stick 2 (old working stick) "Kingston 4GB 2Rx8 PC3-10600U-9-10-B0, ACR12X64D3U13C9G 9995403-081.A00G 5673154-1207 PKI"
The OS is Windows 7 Home Premium x64

The mobo is on factory settings, and I believe doesn't have the ability to change the RAM timings, doesn't appear to be any overclock features at all.

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

According to the manual for that motherboard, you have the options to set memory speed, voltage, and whether the DRAM timing is set by SPD. You might investigate those settings and see what your memory card requires them be set to for proper operation.

 

[napster100]

According to the manual for that motherboard, you have the options to set memory speed, voltage, and whether the DRAM timing is set by SPD. You might investigate those settings and see what your memory card requires them be set to for proper operation.

These are the only options I get:
http://tinypic.com/r/wwb290/8
http://tinypic.com/r/2ev6l3a/8
http://tinypic.com/r/21b7qmr/8
http://tinypic.com/r/20puae8/8
http://tinypic.com/r/fp05mu/8

 

[napster100]

Theres a place where I can see the voltages and fan speeds but thats all.

 

[spooky2th]

You have 2 completely different memory sticks, old one is 1333MHz and the other from what I can gather from a search is 1866MHz. For one that CPU and/or MB will have serious problems trying to run the newer 1866MHz stick. Try to find an identical 1333MHz stick and you will have better chances of running both OK. Best bet would be to get a kit of 2x4GB 1333MHz sticks. That way you will be guaranteed that the 2 sticks were tested together making sure that they worked OK with each other.

 

[bigpinkdragon286]

I agree with what spooky2th is suggesting, about getting a properly matched pair of RAM modules, but if that's not an option, I also suggest reading the manual. It makes it clear how to change the settings which may help you get the seemingly malfunctioning memory stick to function.

The pictures you posted look correct as per the user manual. On the Advanced page in BIOS, go into the Chipset configuration option. You will find memory settings in that section.

 

[spooky2th]

Not only the MHz speed but the timings are different too with each stick. I think the older stick is CL7 and am thinking that the new stick is CL10.

 

[napster100]

Okay thanks guys, I have had a look in the advanced settings already but couldn't find anything to change anything to do with the RAM or even the CPU for that matter. It seems like an old board too, but if it come to the crunch I'll just get the RAM stick returned and order a slower one.

Cheers for the help everyone!

 

[Tradesman1]

Keep us updated

 

[napster100]

We have decided the best option was to purchase a slower stick, being on a budget it's not the same brand but the specs are about the same, it's still a 1333MHz stick as well so it should work.

Again, thanks for the help!

 

[Tradesman1]

Let us know how it goes

 

[napster100]

It did work like a charm. Thanks for your help guys!

 

[Tradesman1]

No worries

 

[aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

the one you mention as dodgy is ECC ram