[SOLVED] ASRock Z77 Extreme4 - RAM slot doesn't work with new RAM stick, Error 55, 4 beeps, won't post.

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kreinzer

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Oct 20, 2017
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I've purchased 32GB of RAM as an upgrade on my previous 8GB. But the PC won't POST. None of the new memory sticks work in RAM slot 3 (I get 4 beeps along with the Error 55, but they do work in all other RAM slots). Paradoxally, the old memory DOES work in RAM slot 3. Details are below, any info would be very much appreciated, thank you.

• PC configuration
Motherboard: ASROCK Z77 Extreme 4
CPU: i7 3770k @ 4.5GHz
CPU cooler: CoolerMaster EVO 212
GPU: MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G
Drives: A mix of 2 SSDs and several HDDs
PSU: CoolerMaster SilentPro 650W
RAM: (it's complicated...)

• HyperX Beast - KHX2400C11D3/4GX
The 'old' RAM kit is Kingston HyperX Beast - https://www.kingston.com/dataSheets/KHX24C11T3K2_8X.pdf. It's a 2 x 4GB kit. It works in all 4 RAM slots (when paired in 1st and 3rd or 2nd and 4th). Either of the sticks work on their own in all 4 RAM slots.
BIOS settings: HyperX Beast (11-13-13-30) @ 2400MHz (1.65V) - That's the default XMP-2400 profile with "Auto" settings on Voltage.

• HyperX Savage - HX324C11SRK2/16
The 'new' RAM is 2 x 16GB kits of Kingston HyperX Savage - https://www.kingston.com/datasheets/HX324C11SRk2_16.pdf. I've purchased 2 kits (4x8GB) and that's where problems start:
1. None of the 4 8GB sticks work in the 3rd RAM slot (gives me 4 beeps along with the Error 55)
2. On the flip side, all 4 sticks work in RAM slots 1,2 and 4.
BIOS settings: HyperX Savage (11-13-14-32) @ 2400Mhz (1.65V) - Default XMP-2400 profile with "Auto" settings on Voltage

• HOWEVER
1. Both 4GB sticks of Kingston Beast work swimmingly in the suspect RAM slot 3.
2. Also, pairing up 2x4GB Beast and 2x8GB Savage (for a grand total of 24GB) also works, with Beast in RAM slots 1 & 3, and Savage in RAM slots 2 & 4). XMP-2400 profile works just fine.

As far as I know 4 beeps indicates a faulty RAM slot on the motherboard and Error 55 indicates that the memory is not installed. But the RAM is installed and the slot isn't faulty, as the Beast RAM sticks work in the suspect RAM slot 3.

Could it be the BIOS version? I have P2.90 which is the latest. There is a latest BETA version 2.90P that came out last month.

If not the BIOS version, what else could it be?

Thanks in advance

 
Solution
K
Problem solved!
First off, thank you for trying to help. It's much appreaciated! Just posting back to report what the issue was, maybe it'll help someone in the future.

In short, it was the seating issue. Namely, Savage sticks couldn't "reach" the pins in RAM slot 3, while the Beast sticks could.
After trying everything else, I simply jammed my finger behind the motherboard so that it doesn't bend and evenly pressed the Savage stick across its' entire length in RAM slot 3. And it works, 32GB!

Here's why:
Savage's plastic/chip protrudes out of its' mask a good 1 - 2 mm less than Beast. Below, in the picture "Beast over Savage" you can clearly see that when a Beast stick is placed over a Savage stick, its'...
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elbert

elbert

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Jan 11, 2005
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Could be a stablity issue. Try running them all at 1600 with 1.5~1.65v. Make sure its DIMM socket and not just the high speed stablity. Also I suggest setting the CPU back to stock to make sure its not have an effect. While it shuldn't you never know.
 
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Calvin7

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Feb 19, 2013
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Mixing multiple memory kits together is not recommended, not guaranteed to work as the two kits have never been tested together.

Workarounds for getting multiple kits to work include:
Lowering memory clock speed
Relaxing DRAM timings
Increasing DRAM voltage
Lowering CPU multiplier
 
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K

kreinzer

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Oct 20, 2017
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@elbert: So, basically I should 1) reset BIOS, 2) plug in one of the HyperX Savage sticks into RAM slot 3? Thing is, I can't get the motherboard to POST when a Savage stick is in RAM slot 3 :( The settings I posted above refer to after I've successfully booted the system with 2x4GB Beast and 2x16GB Savage sticks (leaving out the second 2x16GB Savage kit as I can't boot the PC when its' plugged in.
I will, however, try resetting everything and then giving the blasted RAM slot 3 another try :). Thanks for the suggestion.

@Calvin7: My intention wasn't to mix memory kits. I've mixed the Beast and Savage only because the motherboard simply won't post when a Savage stick is in RAM slot 3. Ironically, Beast + Savage work flawlessly. Ran a bunch of tests and no hickups.
 
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elbert

elbert

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Jan 11, 2005
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The only kit of 2400 Hyperx that has test to work with your motherboard is KHX24C11T3K4/32X. Here is your motherboards QVL.
https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z77%20Extreme4/#Memory

Now on the bios while 2.90 is the latest its from 2013 when getting 32GB on a motherboard is nearly impossible. You would almost surely need the newer beta bios from last month to have any shot of 32GB's being tested with the bios. From your first post asks you should try everything else first but think your at the point of bios update is the only fix not tryed. I say go for 2.90P at this point.
https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z77%20Extreme4/#BIOS
 
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K

kreinzer

Honorable
Oct 20, 2017
4
0
10,520
Problem solved!
First off, thank you for trying to help. It's much appreaciated! Just posting back to report what the issue was, maybe it'll help someone in the future.

In short, it was the seating issue. Namely, Savage sticks couldn't "reach" the pins in RAM slot 3, while the Beast sticks could.
After trying everything else, I simply jammed my finger behind the motherboard so that it doesn't bend and evenly pressed the Savage stick across its' entire length in RAM slot 3. And it works, 32GB!

Here's why:
Savage's plastic/chip protrudes out of its' mask a good 1 - 2 mm less than Beast. Below, in the picture "Beast over Savage" you can clearly see that when a Beast stick is placed over a Savage stick, its' plastic/chip easily reaches the Savage's red coating. But in the picture "Savage over Beast" you can see that when a Savage stick is placed over a Beast stick, its' plastic/chip cannot reach the Beast's black coating.

Beast over Savage
IMG_0437936ae.jpg


Savage over Beast
IMG_0436084ba.jpg


My final concern/question:
Concern: When I apply slight pressure on the motherboard around the area where the RAM slots are, the PC reports the error 55 again. I did this just as a test to see if it might happen that the RAM stick lose contact with the RAM slot pins while I normally work on the PC.
Question: Since 'losing' contact with the RAM slot pins is equal to me pulling out the RAM stick while the PC is operational, could this cause any hardware damage?
 
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Solution
elbert

elbert

Glorious
Jan 11, 2005
9,704
6
46,965
It could damage the parts so put something behind it to replace your finger. Something that doesn't conduct eletricity and will stay put. My suggestion is cut a piece of pipe insulation and press it together for a tight fit under the motherboard. Tight it shouldn't move and should keep the motherboard from dipping in the location. This is aa 6 feet peice but cut it about 2~3inch's long should be enough. Try not to put it under the CPU as it may hold heat were you dont want it to. Pipe insulation 6 feet
 
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