Problems booting with 4GB of Ram

Domeri · 08 Jul 2010

I have a problem. I can't boot my computer with 4GB of ram. It boots normally with 2GB. Ram slots are intact and working. I know this because I first tried with two 1GB ram modules and then with one 2GB ram Module. I kept switching the slots to make sure they all work and they do. Memtest86 didn't find any errors in any of the modules I tested.

I didn't spot any leaking/burst Capacitors, scratches or any other physical damage on motherboard.

I'm suspecting a PSU Failure but I find it hard to believe since it is quite new (4 months) but then again, It's an old version of NX-5000 (I think 1st gen) and who knows how long it have been sitting on shelf before I purchased it.

DocBrown · 08 Jul 2010

Maybe mis-matched memory sticks ! What brand & what speed ?

Domeri · 08 Jul 2010

well the single 2GB stick I have in use at the moment, is from a Buffalo 4GB Kit 800Mhz, 1GB sticks are Kingston 800Mhz and the single 2GB stick is also a Kingston's 800 Mhz.

But I don't think that mis-matching is the problem because I can't boot even with the 4GB kit and this rig did work with two 1GB sticks + single 2GB stick for a long time before I decided to get 4GB kit for dual channel.

Could it be that my Motherboard is at the end of it's lifespan? It's Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H, about 19 months old.

EpicThorn · 09 Jul 2010

Mis-matched RAM can and often will halt your system
Listen to the beeps during POST, then refer to your product manual.

Regards,
Thorn

DocBrown · 09 Jul 2010

If the one set is Dual Channel & the others are not Dual Channel, They probably will NOT all work together in the Total Combination !

Domeri · 09 Jul 2010

I have two different dual channel sets. one 2*1GB set and one 2*2GB set and I also have one solitary 2GB module. Now, if the 2*1GB set is in, my computer works and boots and loads windows without any problems what so ever. Same thing if I have any of the 2GB modules in. But if I have 2*2GB Dual channel set in, nothing. No POST or anything else.

Right now I'm thinking about just buying a new motherboard and RAM.

chev65 · 09 Jul 2010

Domeri said:

well the single 2GB stick I have in use at the moment, is from a Buffalo 4GB Kit 800Mhz, 1GB sticks are Kingston 800Mhz and the single 2GB stick is also a Kingston's 800 Mhz.

But I don't think that mis-matching is the problem because I can't boot even with the 4GB kit and this rig did work with two 1GB sticks + single 2GB stick for a long time before I decided to get 4GB kit for dual channel.

Could it be that my Motherboard is at the end of it's lifespan? It's Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H, about 19 months old.

You should use the 4GB kit only then go into your bios and make sure the memory is set to manufacture specs, timings, memory voltage and memory speed settings. You might also need to bump up the north bridge voltage a bit in order to get the 4GB stable.

Kirsch · 09 Jul 2010

Make sure you have them in the correct slots. If your motherboard has 4 RAM slots, they should be layed out like this:

|| ||

The Black slots should have one of the types of RAM, and the Red slots should have the other. In your case, insert the 2 2GB chips into the black slots (i.e. NOT one in the black, and one in the red). Try to boot.

Domeri · 10 Jul 2010

chev65 said:

You should use the 4GB kit only then go into your bios and make sure the memory is set to manufacture specs, timings, memory voltage and memory speed settings. You might also need to bump up the north bridge voltage a bit in order to get the 4GB stable.

The problem is, I can't get into BIOS if I have that 4GB kit in use.

EpicThorn · 12 Jul 2010

Ok, so the 4G kit works if you insert each piece on their own (One single 2G module at atime)?
Check your s/n of your RAM, then check the memory list for your mobo GA-MA78GM-S2H (rev. 2.x) - GIGABYTE
Ensure that when they are put in as a 4G kit (2 modules of 2G each), that as mentioned earlier, they are set in the matching colour RAM slots, so for arguments sake, throw both sticks into the two yellow slots.