my pc won't boot if I'm running dual channel memory

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kevivjun

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Nov 18, 2013
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Hi guys,

So I built my pc a year ago and had this issue ever since. If i try booting my pc while my ram is in dual mode it won't boot. The computer starts but it never shows the bios, the screen is just blank, but power is going through the system, ie fans and lights come up. I have 2 sticks of ram and if I put the ram in slots 1 and 3 it won't work. Also slots 2 and 4 don't work either. However if I put the ram in slots 1 and 2 and run single channel it works fine. Also if i put just one stick in slot 1 it boots :p.

My mobo is a biostar tz77a.
My cpu is i5 3570k
my ram is patriot 1600 2X4 gig

I know biostar has a reputation for having cheap builds but i heard from someone that the cpu could potentially be the issue. I know that the ram isn't an issue because my friend brought his working ram over and it too wouldn't boot. I feel like the mobo is the issue but have no idea why.

I would very much appreciate any help :)
 
Solution
Supahos
I think your board has two bad slots then, No other explanation makes any sense at this point. The dual channel difference isn't huge, and you could always try a little OC (drop timings or raise speed) of the memory you do have to try and offset some of loss from single channel. (or you can RMA your board, but this will cost you shipping and downtime)
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kevivjun

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Nov 18, 2013
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my bios was already up to date, but i reinstalled the latest version, but still no change. I also set the voltages but nothing happened. Also tried overclocking to the base 1600 but no good.

I'll try to take out my cpu tonight to see if there are any bent pins. But my guess is that the mobo is to blame.

Any other ideas? I've spent months looking into this and it seems no one has this problem. Its strange because the if i put ram in either slots 3 and 4 the system won't boot :p
 
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Supahos

Supahos

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Nov 11, 2013
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Did you buy 2 single sticks or a 2 stick kit? There is a reason they sell kits as they are supposed to work together, if you bought 2 separate kits that is causing your issue most likely. If not then sounds like your board has a bad slot 3 and 4, if you only put 1 stick in slot 3, or 4 does it work? additionally, try getting some compressed air and blowing out slot 3/4 and see if that fixes it, might have dust assuming you ran in 1/2 for a while before you tried to go dual channel.
 
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kevivjun

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Nov 18, 2013
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Yes, i bought a kit, both sticks came together.It seems like thats what ppl do forget sometimes but in this case i knew to buy in a kit. I just removed my cpu and put it back in, no signs of any bent pins. The problem still persists though.

slots 3 and 4 are a no go. Any time i put any ram in slots 3 and 4 regardless of configuration the pc won't boot.

I did try compressed air, but it didn't do anything.

Any other ideas? I was hoping re-seating the cpu would help but nothing changed. It's not an issue thats killing me, i can still run 8 gigs in single channel, but i would like to fix it if possible :)
 
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Supahos

Supahos

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Nov 11, 2013
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I think your board has two bad slots then, No other explanation makes any sense at this point. The dual channel difference isn't huge, and you could always try a little OC (drop timings or raise speed) of the memory you do have to try and offset some of loss from single channel. (or you can RMA your board, but this will cost you shipping and downtime)
 
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kevivjun

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Nov 18, 2013
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Ya I pretty much figured the board was a bust. I suppose those warnings about biostar being cheap have some truth to them. Still, its not the worst thing in the world. I might get another one when i upgrade in the summer. Thanks for trying to help :)
 
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Dray Leo

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Apr 21, 2014
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I've have the same exact problem . . . I built a system a over a year now and it been working great . . however I left home for abt 5 months when I came back the system wouldn't boot. I open it up and remove all component and cleaned it out. During trouble shooting I experience the same problem the dual channel aren't works. The system will only boot when a dimm is in slot 1 or 0 of channel A . . I tried everything I know and I'm still stuck . . .any advice on how to over come this issues
 
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Generic000

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Jul 8, 2017
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This problem was posted 3 years ago, but I still run into it and want to help people in the future
I may have just been lucky, but I run a Dell OptiPlex 755 and I updated the BIOS
After that I:
1. turned "fast boot" off in the BIOS (while I was running single channel memory)
2. booted the PC once with the "fast boot" off.
3. turned off the PC then installed both channels of RAM
4. Turned the computer on, the computer beeped (which it wasn't before)
5. Tried the power again and it booted just fine
6. Turned the "fast boot" back to on and everything was back to normal.


 
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