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New 8gb module "works" with previous 4gb module, but not alone

Tags:
  • Asus
  • DDR3
  • Memory
  • Motherboards
Last response: in Memory
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July 7, 2013 11:17:30 AM

Hi guys,

I have a pc with an asus M5A97 motherboard that I got from ComputerLX last year. It came with 2 modules of 4gb DDR3-1600 (240 pins, PC12800 - Super-Talent brand). It runs on Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bits which I believe supports up to 16gb memory.

A couple of weeks ago one of the module died, I removed it and decided to just buy a nice 8gb module (Crucial Ballistix Sport 8gb DDR3-1600) that is as far as I can tell the same type of memory.

When I placed the new module, the computer started without a problem, windows tells me that 12gb are installed, but only 3.95gb useable. I tried msconfig, it did not change a thing. When I remove the previous 4gb module and leave the new 8gb, the red "dram led" stays on on the motherboard and the screen stays black.

I checked the bios, the memory was set to DDR3-1333 so I changed it to DDR3-1600 but that did not change anything.

I do not know if the entire 8gb were useable before but it did show as "8gb installed".

My computer knowledge pretty much stops there and I do not know what else to try or check...does it mean it only supports 4gb modules as I found in a previous post? The product specifications of the motherboard states "4x DIMM 32gb max".

Thanks
Jeremy

More about : 8gb module works previous 4gb module

a b V Motherboard
July 7, 2013 11:33:07 AM

The RAM is faulty.

The fact that only "3.95gb usable" with both plugged in shows that only the 4gb module was functional, as well as the fact that the PC won't boot when you take the 4gb one out.

Have you tried putting the module in a different RAM slot? It could be a faulty slot.
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July 7, 2013 11:37:42 AM

JRAtk94 said:
The RAM is faulty.

The fact that only "3.95gb usable" with both plugged in shows that only the 4gb module was functional, as well as the fact that the PC won't boot when you take the 4gb one out.

Have you tried putting the module in a different RAM slot? It could be a faulty slot.



I did, I tried all of them. How does window recognize that 12gb are installed if the memory is faulty?

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a b V Motherboard
July 7, 2013 11:39:06 AM

The system will still be able to identify it, but it's obviously defective if it is failing to be utilized :) 
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July 7, 2013 11:42:08 AM

JRAtk94 said:
The system will still be able to identify it, but it's obviously defective if it is failing to be utilized :) 


That is not what I wanted to hear :)  I thought I would get the same blue screen error as I had two weeks ago if the memory was faulty. Now I have to see if I can return it without the box (I should have learned to keep boxes by now...).

Thanks
Jeremy
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a b V Motherboard
July 7, 2013 11:43:34 AM

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news :( 
And aha, definitely need to learn to keep them, aiye :lol: 

Good luck anyway :) 
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a b V Motherboard
July 7, 2013 11:44:32 AM

Wait a second.
You say that your PC supports up to 16gb of RAM?

...How many RAM slots does it have? 4?

If so, each slot can only support up to 4gb RAM modules.

...This would be why it's not working. Don't know why I didn't think of that earlier :lol: 

EDIT: Just google'd your motherboard (didn't realise you'd given the model in your original post) and ASUS claims it can support 32gb RAM in 4 slots = up to 8gb per slot, so yes, the module is likely to be faulty.
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a c 977 Ĉ ASUS
a c 2283 } Memory
a c 1786 V Motherboard
July 7, 2013 11:46:04 AM

Try resetting the CMOS and then install the stick in slot 1 and see if it boots
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July 7, 2013 11:54:07 AM

Tradesman1 said:
Try resetting the CMOS and then install the stick in slot 1 and see if it boots


Let me restart and see in the bios if I can find that option (I am on a different computer to read the forum).
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July 7, 2013 11:56:02 AM

Tradesman1 said:
Try resetting the CMOS and then install the stick in slot 1 and see if it boots


Ok don't know how to do that but google does, I'll try :) 
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a c 977 Ĉ ASUS
a c 2283 } Memory
a c 1786 V Motherboard
July 7, 2013 11:58:32 AM

Easy way is to pull the mobo battery for 30 seconds or so reinsert, add the DRAM, boot into BIOS, set time and date (you lose those when you reset), save and boot to Win
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July 7, 2013 12:08:20 PM

Tradesman1 said:
Easy way is to pull the mobo battery for 30 seconds or so reinsert, add the DRAM, boot into BIOS, set time and date (you lose those when you reset), save and boot to Win


No change. Stick in A-1 slot which I assume is #1. I moved the pin as described in the user guide.
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a c 977 Ĉ ASUS
a c 2283 } Memory
a c 1786 V Motherboard
July 7, 2013 12:25:00 PM

Prob a bad stick then, sorry :( 
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July 7, 2013 12:26:51 PM

Tradesman1 said:
Prob a bad stick then, sorry :( 


Without the packaging I fear that I now have a $67 paper weight that's too light to be one.

Thanks for your help then, I'll contact customer support and see what I can do.

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