Incompatible DDR3 cause of reboot during Windows 7 install?

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Samuel Johanson

Honorable
May 5, 2013
7
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10,510
Howdy all, here's my problem:

I just built myself a new rig, it's my first self-build.

I've run into a myriad of problems, first with a DOA graphics card (no problem, pulled out my retired GTX8800 to get windows installed).

Here's the issue I'm running into now, my computer reboots after I start to boot into finish the Windows installation using the HDD, it pretty much just loops this reboot until I power off the computer during post. It doesn't matter what I try to boot from either, my HDD or DVD. I even tried to get windows XP to install (which gave me a blue screen and a stop error that came back as a failure to read) I was totally stumped. I decided to check my CPU and noticed that it's only compatible with DDR3-1066/1333/1600, I foolishly bought some 2133. I've RMA'd it since I figure even if it's not the cause of my issue, it'll be best to have something that's compatible with my CPU.

What I need to know, is if this incompatibility would cause this crash/restart loop I'm experiencing. I'm also using the reportedly troubled EVGA X79 FTW edition Mainboard.

I'll list the remaining specs of my build, maybe the more experienced of you can spot where I may have gone wrong:

Mobo: EVGA X79 FTW 151-SE-E777-K2 LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU: Intel Core i7-3820 Sandy Bridge-E 3.6GHz

PSU: CORSAIR HX Series HX850 850W

GPU: EVGA GTX8800 === EVGA GTX670 4096GB FTW (pretty sure it was DOA.)

DVD/CD: ASUS DRW-24B1ST

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 2TB @ 7200RPM

RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 Desktop Memory Model CMZ16GX3M4X2133C11R

I also have a capture card and a sound card, but they're currently not plugged into the system.

Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated.

Edit: I've already checked my CPU and the socket pins, they seemed to be fine. I checked these when I got an beep code for the system lacking a GPU (I thought that this was a CPU warning because it's very similar to the AMI code for a bad CPU)
 
Solution
smorizio
It easy to flash the mb without windows. Copy the rom or cap file the mb needs to a USB stick. Put the USB stick into the USB port and boot into the bios. Most bios have a bios update program built into them. Just point the mb updated to the USB stick and go.
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smorizio

smorizio

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Jan 22, 2010
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Most Likly the issue is a old CMOS bios file. With the newer mb there been a lot of new CPU and ram that come out and gpus. Asus and other vendors have had to drop new bios files for CPU code and ram. Asus also has bug fix for the newer 600 gpu. With the cards in the system would not post. I would boot into the bios look at the bios file name there and check to see if there a newer one. With 1600 and faster ram in the bios you have to turn on xmp profile for the mb to read the ram speed right or the mb should default the ram to 1333 speed.
 
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Samuel Johanson

Honorable
May 5, 2013
7
0
10,510


Thank you for your response!

Get this, the X79 FTW doesn't have XMP! I was very surprised when I discovered this. I've never flashed a BIOS before, I'm guessing that's what I'll need to do in order to update it? I'll do some research into how to update the BIOS without being able to boot into windows. Is there a guide that you'd suggest?

 
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smorizio

smorizio

Titan
Jan 22, 2010
30,984
9
125,315
It easy to flash the mb without windows. Copy the rom or cap file the mb needs to a USB stick. Put the USB stick into the USB port and boot into the bios. Most bios have a bios update program built into them. Just point the mb updated to the USB stick and go.
 
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Solution
S

Samuel Johanson

Honorable
May 5, 2013
7
0
10,510



Excellent, I'll try this. So I should be able to use that 2133 Mhz Memory if I set it down to 1600 Mhz manually? I would have to do this since my Mobo doesn't feature XMP. Or would I see better performance if I just went ahead with the RMA and got some 1600 Mhz memory?
 
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Samuel Johanson

Honorable
May 5, 2013
7
0
10,510
Okay. I think I'll go ahead and return the RAM anyways. I have free return shipping, and if I go with two sticks (going to get some Low Profile) this time, I'll be able to slap an additional fan onto my CPU heat sink. I have the new BIOS files on my USB thumb drive. I'm going to wait till I get my new ram to go through the whole process. This should be either Thursday or Friday. I'll be sure to let you know if it works.

Thank you for all the support, Smorizio!
 
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Samuel Johanson

Honorable
May 5, 2013
7
0
10,510
Okay! I'm back! No joy, still. I'm starting to suspect it's my PSU that may be at fault. I have the new 1600Mhz LP RAM installed, but the issue persists. Here's a video demonstrating the reboot loop that I'm going through.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgvRPPDxUGM

Now that I've ruled out memory as the culprit, could an admin possibly move this to a more related section of the forums? Possibly the homebuilt system section.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm pretty sure this is a PSU issue, but I'm not ruling out the potential of a faulty mobo just yet.
 
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Samuel Johanson

Honorable
May 5, 2013
7
0
10,510
Okay, I'll give both those suggestions a go.

The GPU in there right now MAY be damaged. It's an old one from my current rig, I've had it sitting on a shelf in some bubble rap (non-static resistant) so it could be dead. I'll try with my GPU that I have in this machine. At least I know it works.

Thanks for the continued support!

I'm guessing mini-xp is a barebones xp boot just to test components?
 
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