extra memory casuing startup issue

Antony · 29 Sep 2009

Ive been running my pc on 2gig ram until today. I have just bought a second 2gig chip which is the same brand and to all effects is a matched chip. When I put the second chip in it gets as far as telling me "Verifying DMI Pool Data" and then just does nothing. On boot up it registers 4Gig and I have tried each chip independently in both slots and both are working fine. Ive tried to boot it from both hard drive and DVD disc but cant get beyond stated place.
Im presuming its something to do with the bios but I have no idea what needs altering. Its an AWD bios chip. CPU is a Pentium D 3.0Ghz chip, so both the board and chip should be capable of handling the extra ram. Can anyone tell me why it wont go beyond this point and what I need to do to correct it please?

zigzag3143 · 29 Sep 2009

antony

1- the second chip even if it has identical specs may not work well with the first. when memory is sold they are matched to work together. You need to get the specific info on both chips.

2-there may be a setting in bios that says max memory. if so it should be unchecked.

Hope this helps

ken

TheSk8rJesus · 29 Sep 2009

What motherboard do you have, i had the same problem i was trying to get 8GB RAM on my machine and found that the motherboard would not accept 4 Double sided sticks of RAM and will only accept either 2 double sided sticks or 4 single. so what's the motherboard make and model, did u build it yourself or is it a pre-made bought machine if so what?

Antony · 29 Sep 2009

Its a pre-built machine. Built by Zoostorm. The motherboard is a Foxconn 945G7MC. I do normally build my own but I bought this one out of laziness.

thefabe · 29 Sep 2009

First download Cpu-z CPUID and run it with the original stick this will identify the exact memory that it is, you might want to write down the specs or take a snip of it and save it. Then take it out and try to boot your system with the new stick only in the same slot as the old . If it boots run cpu-z. Are they the same? manufaturer, timings, voltages? If so. Then try booting the old stick from your only other slot. I looked up your board and if I'm correct it only has 2 slots. Will it boot? if so then try the New one. If they both boot then you have eliminated bad stick and bad slot . Now install 1 stick at a time and download memtest http://www.memtest.org/ and run it, this will tell you if a stick is causeing errors. then post back with the information learned. Also you might want to check your boards manual and read about memory compatibility. Your board? http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...%20Motherboard Motherboard manual. ( their are 3 different revisions of this board) so you may need to find out what revision you are running usualy can be found on the motherboard next to where it says foxconn 945G7MC versionXXX this is the manual for the 945G7MC-KS2HV version http://www.foxconnsupport.com/downlo...s=en-us0000002

Antony · 30 Sep 2009

Thanks thefabe. Ive done most of the testing now except to do the mem test on the one chip. here is what I have so far:

Ram chip 1

memory

type: DDR2
Size: 2048Mb
Channel#: single
Timings
DRAM Frequency: 266.0 Mhz
FSB DRAM: 3.4
CAS# Latency (CL) 4.0 clocks
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) 4 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 4 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 12 clocks
Bank Cycle Time (tRC) 16 clocks

SPD
slot 2 DDR2
module size 2048 correction none
Max Bandwidth PC2-6400 (400MHz)
part no 256X64M-80F
serial no 080424C6
Timings table JEDEC#1 JEDEC#2 JEDEC#3
Frequency 266Mhz 333Mhz 400Mhz
CAS# Latency 4.0 5.0 6.0
RAS# to CAS# 4 5 6
RAS# Precharge 4 5 6
tRAS 12 15 18
tRC 16 20 24
Voltage 1.8v 1.8v 1.8v

ram chip 2

memory

type: DDR2
Size: 2048Mb
Channel#: single
Timings
DRAM Frequency: 266.0 Mhz
FSB DRAM: 3.4
CAS# Latency (CL) 4.0 clocks
RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) 4 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 4 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 12 clocks
Bank Cycle Time (tRC) 16 clocks

SPD
slot 2 DDR2
module size 2048 correction none
Max Bandwidth PC2-6400 (400MHz)
part no 256X64M-80F
serial no 080424C6
Timings table JEDEC#1 JEDEC#2 JEDEC#3
Frequency 266Mhz 333Mhz 400Mhz
CAS# Latency 4.0 5.0 6.0
RAS# to CAS# 4 5 6
RAS# Precharge 4 5 6
tRAS 12 15 18
tRC 16 20 24
Voltage 1.8v 1.8v 1.8v

As you can see so far both chips are identical. The results from memtest on chip 2 after 13 consecutive tests says all is ok. The only thing I have come up with is that the chips are single chanel whereas the manual says it needs dual channel. I have presumed (rightly or wrongly) that they become dual channel when they are working together? I believe this is born out by the the post screen before it gets to the problem Im having. Which is why I think its a bios problem.

pbcopter · 30 Sep 2009

One comment, its seems the specs of both chips are the same including the serial number??? What program gave you the spec?

Lemur · 30 Sep 2009

Recommends pairs, but not required. What if you install 3 sticks?

Antony · 30 Sep 2009

program used was CPUID as recomended by thefabe. I must admit I was surprised that the number were exactly the same but there you go (and no I didnt put the same one in twice I ran the test several time just to make sure).
I cant put 3 stick in as I only have 2 slots. I still think there is something Im missing somewhere in the bios but I cant see anything relevant. Before I installed the first of the 2 - 2gig chips - I had a pair of 1gig chips in which were the original chips supplied with the pc. Had no problem with those at all.

ttremeth · 30 Sep 2009

This is definitely a bios issue. I doubt any new board would not accept 4 gig. Try a bios update if possible or set the bios to lower settings, they normally have a more conservative or safe mode. I have had huge issues with bios in the past. Regardless your answer is in there somewhere.