Solved Windows 7 does not boot with 4 ram sticks (16gb)

[aioros]

I have just built a new pc with the following (all new components 6/17/2011):
os: win7 64bit
mb: asus m5a88-v evo
hd: seagate 1.5tb 6gb/s
ram: g.skill ddr3 4gb each stick (3 installed)

I had a hard time trying to install windows until I disconnected the blueray dvd (sata) and pulled out 2 of the memory sticks. I've tried to have 16Gb of ram but windows doesn't boot if all 4 stick are installed. It works great with 3 sticks.

 

[Sardonicus]

The bios version is still at the initial stage.
I suspect that as ASUS posts new bios updates, more memory will be supported and bugs will get fixed.
You may want to check and see if your ram is on the Qualified Vendors List.
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Motherboards- ASUS M5A88-V EVO

Other members should weigh in after looking at your health report.

 

[essenbe]

p5bdkw may very well be correct about new technology. It also may be a bad stick of memory or a bad motherboard slot. You may want to read this tutorial about Memtest86. It is a very time consuming process but can usually narrow down the problem. I know as I have been through it. The idea is to test the ram as well as the ram slots. I'm not familar with the technology they have put in these AM3+ boards, but sometimes with AMD voltage adjustments need to be made with a large amount of ram.

 

[bobkn]

I don't know about your specific board, but in the past some motherboards had RAM problems if all 4 memory slots were populated.

A possible fix is to go into the BIOS setup and set the RAM timings and voltage to the ones recommended by the manufacturer. Sometimes the RAM will work OK if you use slightly slower timings (say, 9-9-9 instead of 8-8-8).

Incidentally, Asus has a qualified vendor list for the board:

http://support.asus.com/download.aspx?SLanguage=en&m=M5A88-V%20EVO&p=1&s=24&os=30&hashedid=NOXKRd8n3wWVKy2e

16GB kits are listed.

 

[aioros]

Thank you very much for your replies. i will keep an eye on the bios updates. I've switched the sticks to different slots and they all work.

 

[Phone Man]

What are your ram settings. The AMD CPU memory controller is designed to run at 1333 speed especially with all slots filled.

Jim

 

[aioros]

The only qvl for 16Gb is Geil. Does that mean that only i have to buy that brand to have 16GB of ram?
The ram settings are to 1333.
My BIOS is ver. 0215, the current is ver. 0402, so I will update the BIOS. The mb comes with a few utilities to do that, which I think pretty cool.
Thanks

 

[Kipper]

no, you are not limited to Geil; matter of fact half the time the memory listed on the QVL is no longer available.

Besides, I thought I read that you moved the sticks around to different slots and its all good now.

 

[aioros]

I meant that all 4 memory sticks are good, not that the problem using all 4 at the same time was resolved. I can use any 3 sticks in any 3 slots and the system is fine. Once I put the 4th = BSOD

So as long as i keep it to 1333MHz and 9-9-9-24 (as qvl shows) i can use any brand?

 

[pooch]

Hello aioros,

Have a look at the page I have posted from your manual. I use GSKILL F3-10666CL9-4GBRL 1333MHz RAM with no problems if you have the same brand I see no reason why it won't work for you. You may just have to use MemOK to help it on its way.
I hope this helps

 

[bobkn]

Memory in the QVL has been tested to work.

RAM that isn't in the QVL may simply not have been tested. As someone else remarked, the QVL tends to be old.

 

[essenbe]

I haven't ever bought ram from a QVL list, I just use it for refrence. I just pick the manufacturer and try to buy ram from them that is the same voltage, frequency and timings that was on the QVL. That usually works.

 

[aioros]

bad memory stick

Ok I'm not 100% sure, but I think one of the memory sticks is bad. I switched them into different slots and finally found one that was messing up the system. Also when I go into the BIOS to ram is at 800MHz and something like 8-6-7-8. When i change it to 1333MHz and 9-9-9-24 something goes wrong and doesn't want to boot.

 

[pooch]

Ok I'm not 100% sure, but I think one of the memory sticks is bad. I switched them into different slots and finally found one that was messing up the system. Also when I go into the BIOS to ram is at 800MHz and something like 8-6-7-8. When i change it to 1333MHz and 9-9-9-24 something goes wrong and doesn't want to boot.

Then I would suggest changing the bad stick out. When it runs at 800MHz is that the setting chosen by RamOK? It would then be clear that changing it back to 1333MHz wouldn't work as it is running at the optimal speed for the RAM installed, which may be due to a duff stick.

 

[aioros]

here are some screenshots of the bios set up, I'm running system default right now. Is there a way to check the ram settings in windows?

 

[essenbe]

Download CPUz, install it and open it. It can give you a lot of info about your system motherboard,CPU, and memory. when you start the program open the memory tab, that should tell you what your ram is running now, the spd tab will give you the readings of ram configurations as read from the sticks installed.

 

[pooch]

here are some screenshots of the bios set up, I'm running system default right now. Is there a way to check the ram settings in windows?

The second picture where the RAM is on auto and at 1333MHz would seem to be OK .............. or?

The first picture with the RAM at 800MHz is blocked by the screen on top but that would seem to be wrong

 

[essenbe]

Pooch, look at the screenshot of the ram in post#13 and the timings set in the bios screenshot.

Edit: also, if he has a dual chanel system and runs 3 sticks of ram he is in single chanel mode, right?

 

[pooch]

Pooch, look at the screenshot of the ram in post#13 and the timings set in the bios screenshot.

If he is using RamOK it will optimise the timings so the RAM will work. I still haven 't seen an answer on this, so I really don't know if the OP followed my advice or not

Edit: also, if he has a dual chanel system and runs 3 sticks of ram he is in single chanel mode, right?

Yes that is correct

 

[aioros]

Pooch: yeah I followed your advice and I've been using MemOK, but when MemOK finishes its thing and I try to save the settings the BIOS doesn't boot. I will take some more pictures of the screens.

I left 2 ram sticks inthere, i will try MemOK when I get home and see what happens. I loaded the BIOS default settings (I updated the bios) and everything is working now.
I'm sending back the bad ram stick and hopefully when I get the new ones the system will work with them.

Thank you essenbe, I will do that and try it out.
Thanks everybody for your help.