Problem with Asus M4N78-PRO and 4x2gb

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Richfilth

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Dec 22, 2014
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I'm trying to make an old PC useable by increasing the memory from 4Gb to 8Gb. System has the current specs and is perfectly stable:

Motherboard: M4N78-PRO
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955
Memory: 2 x DDR2-800 2Gb sticks
GFX: Radeon HD5770

The two existing DIMMs were placed in slots A1 and A2 (so one yellow slot, one black). I bought two more identical DIMMs, and tried placing them in B1 and B2. Eventually the computer beeped, POSTed, and loaded up Windows x64. It ran fine for a weekend, but then crashed and wouldn't restart - no POST.

After removing the two new DIMMs the PC booted up again fine. I swapped the two old DIMMs for the two new ones (in the same slots, A1 and A2) and again, it booted up fine. Any combination of new and old sticks in slots A1 and A2 will make the computer boot. However, it will not always boot with two sticks in A1 and B1, or A2 and B2, or only B1 and B2. If I turn off the PSU for 20 mins and then power up again, I can sometimes boot up with all four DIMMs. When this happens I can load Windows for a few seconds, then it crashes and the computer fails to restart unless I remove two of the DIMMs.

I've reset the BIOS, upgraded it to the latest version, cleaned the DIMM slots and still no luck. I can't believe it's a hardware issue because the computer ran fine for 2-3 days before the crash. Any suggestions on what I can adjust in the BIOS to get things running?

UPDATE: I removed two DIMMs, entered BIOS and set the DIMM voltage to 2.1v. Then I fitted the other two DIMMs and powered back up. I got an "Overclock Error - reset BIOS to Default" message, after which the computer loaded up Windows fine with all 8Gb. I'm letting it sit now to see how long it lasts. Something clearly isn't right.
 
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Vic 40

Vic 40

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Maybe reseat the cpu as well,look at debree at the underside,make sure the cooler is well placed back,means evenly tightend if not the stock cooler.
When using new with old ram make sure they have the same specs,also try the old in a1+b1 and the new in a2+b2.Maybe add some voltage to the ram as well in the bios (can be done with just the old in the pc),like go to 2.0V for the Vram.Could add some voltage to the nortbridge as well,like adding 0.5V there.
You might even need to turn down the speed in the end,like going to 667.
 
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Richfilth

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Dec 22, 2014
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I reseated all the components multiple times, and the system now boots up regularly so I don't think that's the issue. The "fix" appears to have been the BIOS reset that happened after I changed the dimm voltage. I'm now running memtest, which took 2hours to run a single pass and threw up 6million+ errors. I guess I need to analyze the logs of that, and start testing on a dimm-by-dimm basis to see if any stick or socket is the source of the problem.
 
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Richfilth

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Dec 22, 2014
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Completely flummoxed now. I used MemTest86+ to try and identify if any of the memory sticks have issues. None do when run individually, and all do if I pair them into A1+B1 or A2+B2. I once got an error with a pair of sticks in A1+A2, but have since failed to reproduce that error with any combination of sticks.

I'm starting to think it's an incompatibility between the RAM and the Mobo, but I have no clue where to start in terms of playing with the BIOS settings to confirm this.
 
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Vic 40

Vic 40

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Looked at this?
 
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Richfilth

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Dec 22, 2014
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I tried increasing the voltage for the ram. This caused an Overclock Error in the Bios, which then reset to default. I tried increasing the NorthBridge voltage, which made no difference, and then I set the ram to 667 which also didn't help.

99/100 times, the system will ONLY boot with ram in A1 + A2. It doesn't matter what sticks I use, in what configuration - all sticks work if I use a pair in A1+A2. A1+B1, A2+B2, B1+B2... all fail to POST in the vast majority of cases, no matter what ram I use (old or new).
 
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Richfilth

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Dec 22, 2014
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Well, I'm posting this from the computer running 4x2gb right now. I can only conclude that something is failing in the mobo (maybe one of the MOSFETS, or a capacitor?), or there's a micro-fracture that causes everything to fail occassionally.

As and when I do give in, I'll probably get a different motherboard for the rest of the components, since the CPU is still adequate for my needs at the moment. If I ever need more than 8Gb, I'll get a whole new CPU and mobo combo.
 
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pzx42x

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May 3, 2017
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Hello headsup i have too same mobo and same memory combination.. it run years ok A1+A2 2+2gb.. started behaving exactly the same way so you are not alone!

Had to move memories to A2+B2 and it runs smoothly after (fingers crossed)

I reckon 1st channel is dead even after thoroughly cleaning
 
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