Can't boot with new PNY 8GB Ram

Hey,

So heres the long story as short as possible.

I bought a set of 16GB (2x8GB 1600 RAM by PNY) and all was fine, then got a BSOD with error something about PFN_List_Corrupt and then a few hours later got another BSOD saying MEMORY_MANAGEMENT.

So at somebody's recommendation I ran Memtest86 overnight and found 3 failed memory addresses.

I exchanged the RAM for 2 more sticks (same brand and model) and got home and installed it and computer would not boot. It wouldn't even get to bios, or wake up the monitor or even turn on the lights on my keyboard (i.e. never even got to the point where it recognizes USB).

So I pulled out one stick, same thing. Exchanged it and put in 2nd stick alone, same thing.

Removed the RAM and put back in the old 2x4GB sticks and computer boots up just fine.

What the hell are the chances that I'd get two sets of RAM and both are bad?

My real question here is that if I can't even get the computer to post is there some way to test the new RAM before I try to exchange it again tomorrow? They're going to be looking at me awful funny having returned the same type of RAM two days in a row with only my word that it stops my computer from booting and that it's not user error.

Put in the new RAM and try a CMOS clear (check PC/motherboard manual).

And make sure your motherboard supports 8GB RAM modules.

So basically if I can't even get it to get to the bios then there is no way to test the RAM with something like Memtest86 then I guess.

Yes the mainboard supports 4x8GB for a total of 32GB. It worked fine this morning (other than the 2 8GB sticks had failed memory addresses so I know for certain this mainboard will work with 8GB sticks of RAM.

It acts as if their not seated properly, I had this issue when I bought the original 16GB of RAM until I noticed that one of them had not "clicked" in all the way. This time I made sure they had clicked in on both sides, and even removed and reinserted multiple times making sure they clicked in on both sides, then tried it with only one stick each time.

I'm guessing PNY quality is shite and I just got unlucky and got two batches of dudd RAM sticks. Damn, now I'm going to have to spend even more money buying another brand since these were on sale when I bought it last Friday.

Remove the PC from power for a minute or two and try again.

If that doesn't work try a CMOS reset. Don't give up before a reset. Check motherboard manual for how to perform a CMOS reset.

As mentioned above, it is possible that the memory you bought is not compatible with your motherboard. Usually the motherboard manufacturer will list compatible/tested memory (although not listed doesn't mean it won't work) on its website. If your make/model is listed it would at least confirm that it is compatible.

Also for future testing - get "MemTest 86+". "MemTest86" (without the +) is not the same thing - its an older version whose development ended years ago.

CountryBumkin said:

As mentioned above, it is possible that the memory you bought is not compatible with your motherboard. Usually the motherboard manufacturer will list compatible/tested memory (although not listed doesn't mean it won't work) on its website. If your make/model is listed it would at least confirm that it is compatible.

Also for future testing - get "MemTest 86+". "MemTest86" (without the +) is not the same thing - its an older version whose development ended years ago.

Hi,

Actually I meant MemTest 86+, I just left off the + when I wrote the post.

In any event, the memory that I bought is supported by my mainboard, I have the MSI 970 Gaming Main Board and it supports up to 32 GB in total of RAM.

I went to return the 2nd batch of memory last night and they told me that they had 3 more in stock, so I told them I'd give it one more try and exchanged it instead of outright refunding my purchase.

I got home, took out my existing RAM and inserted the two new 8GB sticks in the 1 and 3 slot and pressed the power button..........

Computer booted right up like it should. Before retiring last night I set it up to run MemTest 86+ on the new RAM and this morning it had only gotten through 2 passes but it has not found any errors so far as of the time I left the house.

I suspect that PNY has some really crappy Quality Control going on for their memory two sets of 16GB from two different store locations and both bad, one with bad memory addresses and the other just DOA.

Anyway, I played many games last night and watched lots of videos, and streams etc and no BSOD, and so far no errors in MemTest 86+ so I think I'm in the clear now.

PNY, Damn waste of my time, energy, and gas to have to run around exchanging faulty products.

Oh BTW, I asked the return manager if they were getting a lot of PNY memory being returned and he said "No, but we are getting a lot of returns of Patriot memory lately". Go figure. I guess I'm just lucky to get 2 bad sets of RAM from two different store locations within 2 days of each other.