[Please help] PC does not boot with 4gb RAM

RazrAce

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I added a 4 gb DDR3 RAM to my PC but my PC did not boot. I have Gigabyte G41 Combo Rev 1.3 Motherboard. I read the motherboard manual and it says that the motherboard supports 4 gb of DDR3 memory. On Gigabyte site it is mentioned that it supports 8 gb of DDR3 memory.

I read in some guides that CMOS needs to be reset or that BIOS needs to be updated in some cases, which I did not do at that time. Apart from this is there anything else that has to be done?

I am thinking about getting a 4 gb RAM again but I need to make sure that my PC will boot with it.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
Solution
Oh, you were only using the 1 x 4GB stick alone? Then it should have worked. Some MBs have an issue with needing to have 1 of the slots populated before the other(s), but I assume you tried the lone stick in both slots. I can't see why the CMOS would have had to be cleared, but you could try it.

There should be a CLR CMOS jumper next to the coin battery on the MB. Remove the battery and move the jumper to the next set of pins for about 5 seconds. Then replace it on the original set of pins and replace the battery. But the BIOS will be set back to factory default when you do that. Any changes you made in BIOS will have to be re-done and the time/date will have to be reset.

RazrAce

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That is my mothrboard. I remember putting the RAM in the right slot. Also, I had removed the other RAM before I had put the new one in. And I had never mixed up DDR2 & DDR3. In short I removed my old RAM and put in the new 4gb DDR3 RAM in the DDR3 slot.

 

RazrAce

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This was the RAM I got- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145322&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
1x4gb.
Edit: Currently running the PC with a 1x2gb Kingston 800mhz RAM.
 

clutchc

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If you are trying to go with 1 x 2GB 800MHZ and 1 X 4GB 1333MHZ, that is your problem. As soon as you add the 2nd stick, the MB will enable dual channel mode. In dual channel mode, both sticks have to be IDENTICAL in brand, speed, and timing. That is why dual channel memory is always sold in pairs. Either buy a matched pair of 1333MHZ memory or try to find a mate to the 2GB stick you have in now.

Besides, $45 is too much to pay for 1 x 4GB stick of 1333MHZ memory, anyway. Take out the remaining 2 GB stick and get these while they are on sale: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL120313&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL120313-_-EMC-120313-Index-_-DesktopMemory-_-20231314-L0B
2 x 4GB DDR3 1600MHZ. It will default to the MB's normal speed. You can always enter BIOS and O/C it very easy to 1333MHZ.
 

RazrAce

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Thanks for suggesting that pair of RAMS. Btw, I did not use the 1x2gb & 1x4gb together. I had put in only the 1x4gb RAM. What would have been the reason for it to not work?
 

clutchc

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Oh, you were only using the 1 x 4GB stick alone? Then it should have worked. Some MBs have an issue with needing to have 1 of the slots populated before the other(s), but I assume you tried the lone stick in both slots. I can't see why the CMOS would have had to be cleared, but you could try it.

There should be a CLR CMOS jumper next to the coin battery on the MB. Remove the battery and move the jumper to the next set of pins for about 5 seconds. Then replace it on the original set of pins and replace the battery. But the BIOS will be set back to factory default when you do that. Any changes you made in BIOS will have to be re-done and the time/date will have to be reset.
 
Solution

RazrAce

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I will get a RAM and try that out. If i face any issues I will ask for help. Thanks for helping me! :)
Edit: Also are you sure that the BIOS does not need a update?
 

clutchc

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No, I'm not sure that that is not the problem. If you have the first BIOS (F1), then doing an update would be advisable. That MB had some memory "fixes" with F2 and F3: http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3505#bios
However, I would not think they'd release a MB and BIOS that didn't accept the rated amount of RAM out of the box, and then follow up with a BIOS fix that corrected that. But, yes, it is worth a try.
 

RazrAce

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Cool... Thanks a lot! :)
 

RazrAce

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Hey! I downloaded the BIOS file. It needs to be extracted. Extracting gives these files- http://i.imgur.com/LmQsC0W.jpg

When I open the Application it displays this message- http://i.imgur.com/qDZDatl.jpg

I run Windows 7 Ultimate Edition 64-Bit. How am I supposed to update the BIOS?
 

clutchc

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The file "autoexec" probably has an .BAT extension. (Go to folder and search options/view and uncheck 'hide extensions for known file types' to see the extensions of all the files) If so, it is meant to be a boot file executed at boot time. After doing the above and viewing the the file names with their extensions, take another screen shot and post it. I have a feeling you will have to make a bootable disk or flash drive with those files on it.

You would be better off using the Windows-based BIOS live update utility that should have come with your MB disk. Especailly if you are not familiar with doing BIOS updates via the BIOS.
 

RazrAce

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Screenshot showing extensions: http://i.imgur.com/d5QAZxm.jpg
 

clutchc

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Lol... you can tell it's been awhile since I worked with DOS. Yes, the autoexec.BAT file was what I was thinking of, not .EXE... doh.

But if you aren't familiar with doing this, you could ruin your BIOS chip and render the MB unusable. It would be wiser to use the Windows-based program to do the BIOS update automatically. Or Q-Flash if your MB has it. Either way, first go to this web page for your MB: http://www.gigabyte.us/webpage/20/HowToReflashBIOS.html
It explains the 3 basic ways to update your BIOS:
(1) Q-Flash
(2) @ BIOS
(3) DOS Flash utility (the one that you downloaded)

Use the method you are most comfortable with. And read the provided pdf guides.

Ex: If you use the file(s) you downloaded, read the PDF users guide associated with 3 : DOS Flash utility for instructions on how to do the update that way.

 

RazrAce

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Looks like my MB does not have Q-flash. I will be comfortable with @BIOS. I will read the instructions and try updating with it. Thank you very much for helping me! :)