Memory slots not working after BIOS update

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Joe McCall

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Aug 3, 2013
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0
10,510
I have an ASRock FM2A85X Extreme4-M motherboard. I recently updated the BIOS to the latest version (1.80), and rebooted. The screen went blank, and I couldn't figure out what was going on. Every time I tried to reboot nothing would display on screen. No POST, nothing.

Once I removed one of my RAM modules it booted up fine. I have 4 RAM slots:

* DDR3_A1
* DDR3_A2
* DDR3_B1
* DDR3_B2

Before I upgraded the BIOS:

* DDR3_A1 -> 8 GB DDR3-1600 RAM
* DDR3_A2 -> (empty)
* DDR3_B1 -> 8 GB DDR3-1600 RAM
* DDR3_B2 -> (empty)

Worked just fine. You may recognize that this is a dual-channel setup.

After the upgraded BIOS, only one configuration would work:

* DDR3_A1 -> 8 GB DDR3-1600 RAM
* DDR3_A2 -> (empty)
* DDR3_B1 -> (empty)
* DDR3_B2 -> (empty)

I tried it with both RAM modules, and both worked individually using the above setup. I've tried a non dual-channel setup with A1 and A2, and I've tried a single-channel setup with B1 only.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Joe

 
Solution
Tradesman1
With the one good stick, go into the BOS and set up the DRAM settings freq to 1600, appropriate timings, CR to 2N and in DRAM voltage add + 0.05 to the DRAM's spec voltage
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J

Joe McCall

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Aug 3, 2013
3
0
10,510
That's a lot of information, lol. I'm using this PC for work so I can't mess around with it too often. I didn't see a value of 2N for CR, and I was too nervous to mess with the voltage of the RAM. I don't want to over-clock anything, I just want it to work the way it did before.

I do have some updates though. ASRock has made 8 different versions of the BIOS available [here](http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/FM2A85X%20Extreme4-M/index.asp?cat=Download&os=BIOS&Model=FM2A85X%20Extreme4-M). I flashed each version one at a time. It looks like any version after 1.30 exhibits this behavior of crashing with the 2 memory modules installed. It just so happens that wen I view the CPU compatibility page [here](http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/FM2A85X%20Extreme4-M/index.asp?cat=CPU&os=&c=) it lists my AMD A10 6800k, but only for BIOS versions 1.4 and up. Maybe my CPU is running in a compatibility mode right now, but according to ASRock's website it's not supported until I upgrade my BIOS.

So something that they changed between version 1.3 and 1.5 (1.4 is not listed) breaks my dual-channel memory configuration. I'd be more willing to try messing with the "CR" setting if I knew more of why it's worth trying, as I don't quite know what it does. Still a bit nervous messing with the spec voltage, but if you can reassure me that it's not super risky I'm willing to try it.

*EDIT: Mod, I'm a noob. Mind moving this into a reply to Tradesman1? Thanks.
 
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J

Joe McCall

Honorable
Aug 3, 2013
3
0
10,510


Despite what I wrote below, I ran out of things to try and just tried this. On my motherboard the CR was either 1T or 2T. I set it to 2T and tried installing the second module. Seemed to have no affect.

I set everything back to stock voltages and auto CR value, and I'm running under 1 module now. Anything else I can check?

Thanks in advance!
 
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