Memory apparently incompatible with MB. Help required....please.

Dinarius · Mar 18, 2017

Here is the parts list I put together on PCPartPicker, and have just assembled.

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/WcYHQV

As you can see, the RAM would appear to be compatible with the Asus X99-Pro USB3.1

But, a few points...

1. That RAM (specifically G.Skill TridentZ - F4-3000C14Q-64GTZ) is not listed in the manual which came with the motherboard.

2. When I boot up, everything boots fine. Fans, video card light, CPU cooler light, DVD drive, all USB ports, etc..

3. But, the monitor remains blank - I've tried both DVI ports on it, and the cable works fine with my other computer.

4. On the motherboard, there is a two digit Error display. It is displaying the number '53'. The manual says that this error number is due to RAM incompatibility or incorrect speed.

So, it looks like I may have spent a lot of money of RAM that is useless. Or is it?

Can I alter the performance or specs of the RAM in anyway to make it compatible with the motherboard?

Fingers crossed!

Thanks.

D.

alexoiu · Mar 18, 2017

What are the last 4 digits on a sticker like http://www.guru3d.com/miraserver/images/2011/990fx-sabertooth/IMG_4499.jpg ?

mjslakeridge · Mar 18, 2017

Will it display anything on the monitor with just 1 stick of RAM installed? Did you notice the compatibility check note on PCPartpicker regarding the potential need for a BIOS update with that CPU?

RAM models not showing up in the motherboard manual or even the online spec sheets is not uncommon. They often never update the list from the initial time is is published.

Dinarius · Mar 19, 2017

Hi Guys, and thanks for the replies.

The last four numbers on the sticker on the MB are 2001.

As far as I can gather now, despite what the PCPartpicker Compatibility Filter was telling me, that RAM is strictly Z170/270, in which case, it won't work with either my ASUS MB or my i7 6800K CPU.

You might like to confirm this and let me know if I'm correct.

In that case, I have no choice but to change the RAM, correct?

Also, if I have a blank screen, I can do nothing about BIOS changes, can I?

The only upside to all this is that I bought this RAM from MindFactory.de two weeks ago for about €480.00. It is now €698.00! http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/64GB-G-Skill-Trident-Z-DDR4-3000-DIMM-CL14-Quad-Kit_1033416.html The price graph regarding this price on PCPartpicker is one thing they do have correct.

So, before I (hopefully) can exchange it, or sell it, there is nothing I can do. Is that correct?

If there is definitely nothing I can do, can you recommend RAM that will definitely work with my setup? Ideally, I'd like 4 x 16Gb.

Many thanks again.

D.

Ps. Here is my RAM on the G.Skill site: https://gskill.com/en/product/f4-3000c14q-64gtz

alexoiu · Mar 19, 2017

Hi,
The board needs a BIOS update for supporting that CPU. If seems that Flashback is available, so try using it for updating the board's BIOS.
If not sure how to, post back.

Dinarius · Mar 19, 2017

Thank you Sir!

Yes, PCPartPicker had flagged that BIOS update issue.

I'm afraid I don't know how to do that and I was going to ask someone once I got something up on my monitor.

But, with a blank screen, what can I do?

Should I replace the RAM first?

Thanks.

D.

alexoiu · Mar 19, 2017

You're welcome.
Download the latest BIOS version from https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/X99PROUSB_31/HelpDesk_Download/
Unzip and rename the X99-PRO-USB31-ASUS-3505.CAP to X99PU31.CAP
Save the renamed file to a FAT32 formatted USB drive.
Connect the drive to the designated back port
http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA2011/X99-PRO_USB31/E10131_X99-PRO_USB_3-1_for_web_only.pdf?_ga=1.57598890.1848536009.1480360572
page 2-13
Don't start the board, just make sure that the power supply is connected to the motherboard and on.
Press the Flashback button for 3 seconds.
Wait until the process ended.

Dinarius · Mar 19, 2017

Thanks again.

So, while I can't find the BIOS written on the MB (I'm probably looking in the wrong place!) and I obviously can't see it on the monitor (coz it's blank) according to the ASUS website, the latest BIOS is 3505, dated 10/03/2017 - only last week. So, it's a racing certainty I don't have it installed.

Before I do something stupid; according to the instruction pdf. 2-13, number 4. is "Power down the computer." When I do this, the red and green LEDs (Power and Reset) at the bottom of the MB are still on. They're OK to be like that. Right?

So, all I do is extract the file to a FAT32 USB stick. Insert it into the green USB slot and hold in the BIOS Flashback button for three seconds until the LED starts flashing. Right?

Then I let it do its thing.

Do you think it will make any difference to my RAM?

I'm guessing not.

Thanks again.

D.

alexoiu · Mar 19, 2017

I tried to describe as clear as I could the steps in order to update the board's BIOS. It's your decision whether to test it or not.

Dinarius · Mar 19, 2017

Alexoiu,

Here's what happened......

1. I did the BIOS update exactly as per your instructions. The BIOS switch LED flashed for about two-three minutes and then stopped, as I expected it to.

2. I powered off the computer and removed the USB stick.

3. I then powered up the computer (not connected to a monitor)

4. For about 3-4 minutes, it started doing lots of things, including shutting down and restarting three times.

5. During this time, the two digit LED display on the MB kept changing numbers and letters.

6. At the end of the process, for the first time, the red LED next to the RAM was OFF!

7. For the first time also, a green LED on the SSD Daughter Card was on!

8. Most significantly of all, the two digit LED display on the MB is no longer reading 53 (memory problems). It is reading A9. I looked up A9 in the MB manual, and it says, "Start of Setup".

Am I in business?

I won't be able to connect a monitor until tomorrow.

But, is this promising?

Thanks a million!

D.

alexoiu · Mar 19, 2017

You're welcome. Yes, it should work. If not, post back, but A9 is ok.

Dinarius · Mar 19, 2017

Outstanding!

So, the BIOS update has allowed the MB to adapt the RAM to the setup?

I'm still missing one part - a 250Gb SSD which I'm going to use for Windows 10 Pro and little else. It's in the post. When it arrives, I want to install the OS. I've never done that before - tons of software, but never an OS from scratch.

I also need to see if I can transfer my Windows 10 licence from my old computer.

But, the main thing is, if I can use this RAM, you've saved me one hell of a headache.

Many, many thanks.

D.

alexoiu · Mar 19, 2017

You're welcome. The BIOS reported the issue as memory related, but actually the CPU was not supported by the BIOS version, therefore the update needed.
Installing Win 10 is not difficult, if you have the kit on a bootable USB drive. If not, you can use the Media Creation tool https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10
As for the license... I don't know.

Dinarius · Mar 20, 2017

alexoiu :

Ok. We have lift-off....sort of.

MB still showing A9, which is good.

Would post a pic of what I'm seeing on the monitor, but don't seem to be able to.

Anyway, only 2 x 16GB RAM listed - so, total of 32Gb on the screen, not 64Gb.

Only two of the fans showing also. There are five in total including the two CPU cooler fans, and excluding the 3 video card fans.

So, any way of making the RAM show up? Would it change when I install the OS?

Many thanks.

D.

mjslakeridge · Mar 20, 2017

I see that your motherboard has 8 DIMM slots. Does the manual specify which slots to use when only filling 4 of the slots? Have you tried the 2 sticks that are not showing up currently in the slots where the RAM is showing up? I don't think installing the OS will cause all 64 GB to show up.

Dinarius · Mar 20, 2017

Doh! Silly me. Of course you were right. Though it took a bit of fiddling.

At first it only saw 48Gb. Though maybe I hadn't put the fourth one in properly.

Now says, 2133Mhz. Thought it should be 3000Mhz. Any thoughts on that?

Anyway, getting closer to final closure now!

Thanks again.

D.

mjslakeridge · Mar 20, 2017

Your motherboard supports up to 3300 Mhz. 2133 Mhz is the base value it supports, so maybe the BIOS is just reporting that. I would see what it reports when you have the OS installed. Use CPU-Z (and double the value it reports) since DDR is "double data rate", and CPU-Z will report half the actual speed.

Dinarius · Mar 20, 2017

Thank you kind Sir!

I will do that.

One last question...........

I am 99% sure my two 4Tb SATA HDs are correctly connected.

Is it possible that I have to make the computer find them manually rather than automatically? (Both the DVD drive and the 500Gb SSD are showing up on the screen.) The 4Tbs drives are whirring away. They're just not on the screen.

Thanks again.

D.

mjslakeridge · Mar 20, 2017

You may have to initialize the drives for them to be recognized. When you are ready to install the OS, disconnect all drives except for the drive you are installing the OS to. This will prevent boot files from being written to drives other than the primary drive. Once the OS is installed, shut down the computer and re-connect the other drives. (Your DVD drive can be connected during the OS install, just not any other storage drives).

Dinarius · Mar 20, 2017

Really excellent tip. I would never have done that.

Thanks again.

D.

Dinarius · Mar 22, 2017

Two more questions......

1. There are three case fans, two CPU cooler fans, and three fans on the video card. Only two are visible in BIOS (i.e. shown spinning). Maybe the CPU/GPU fans are normally shown. But, what about the third case fan? All fans are working fine.

2. I will be installing a second M.2 SSD for the OS, as I wrote above. The first SSD I installed via the Daugher Card that came with the MB. It's registering fine on the BIOS screen. But, as I only have one (already used) Daughter Card, I'm sure where the second SSD will go on this MB. I deliberately chose it because of it having two x M.2. So, where is the second slot?

Many thanks.

D.

Memory apparently incompatible with MB. Help required....please.

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