Tom's Hardware > Forum > Motherboards & Memory > Memory > Only one RAM stick will work at a time
Ask the community Add a reply
Word :    Username :           
 
ArkAngel06   05-19-2009 at 04:00:19 AM

Hi, I just upgraded my computer with a lot of new stuff.

Upgrades are as follows:

CPU - E6600 -> Q9550
MB - Asus P5b Deluxe -> No Upgrade(Updated BIOS a few weeks ago)
RAM - 8GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 -> 8GB G. Skill DDR2 800 (lower latency)
Video - 8800GT -> GTX 285
PSU - Thermaltake 440W -> Thermaltake 750W

Now when I tried to boot up for the first time after the upgrades, it freezes after "Initializing USB Devices"....First thing that pops into my head, remove all but one of the RAM sticks. Bingo, it boots right up. So I figure one of the sticks must be bad....Nope, no matter what combination I put them in, the PC will not boot if more than one stick is in. It will boot with one stick in any of the 4 slots, but not once a 2nd stick is introduced. I reset the BIOS to all default settings. The RAM says it uses 1.8-1.9 voltage. I tried it all, starting at 1.7 through 2.0. No difference.

2nd thought, maybe this RAM isn't compatible with my motherboard. I put my old RAM back in. SAME PROBLEM. Now only one stick will work at a time as well. This same RAM was working together less than 2 hours ago. What could have happened?


Message edited by ArkAngel06 on 05-19-2009 at 04:41:18 AM
Add a reply
Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
ArkAngel06   05-19-2009 at 03:56:13 PM
- 0 +

*UPDATE*

I had some old CORSAIR XMS2 ram that I had bought with my original build....A couple of 512mb sticks. I decided to try them out for the hell of it. It worked with all 4 sticks...

The RAM that works together is:

Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 (4-4-4-12)

The RAM that will not work together is:

Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800 (5-5-5-16)

-or-

G. Skill HK DDR2 800 (4-4-4-12)

I have tried every combination with the G. Skill RAM, and my previous working RAM, so unless 6 out of the 8 sticks are bad (impossible), it is not bad RAM.

BTW, if that sounds like I am trying to combine the G. Skill and the Corsair, I'm not.


Message edited by ArkAngel06 on 05-19-2009 at 04:04:52 PM
Reply to ArkAngel06
ArkAngel06   05-19-2009 at 04:52:57 PM
- 0 +

Regardless, if the Corsair worked before the upgrades, and now it doesn't, that can't be a problem.

Reply to ArkAngel06
55795642   05-19-2009 at 05:11:58 PM
- 0 +

What BIOS rev are you running?

Check this: http://support.asus.com/cpusupport [...] &product=1 ("Fix system hangs at POST while using certain 4GB memory and CPUs" )


Message edited by 55795642 on 05-19-2009 at 05:16:08 PM
Reply to 55795642
55795642   05-19-2009 at 05:14:12 PM
- 0 +

Sorry; bad link...


Message edited by 55795642 on 05-19-2009 at 05:16:51 PM
Reply to 55795642
ArkAngel06   05-19-2009 at 05:46:20 PM
- 0 +

I updated the newest BETA Revision about 3 weeks ago in anticipation of my upgrades....I am at work, so I can not check the specific version, but I am 99.9% sure it is still the most recent revision.

That link sends me to a page telling me what BIOS supports which CPU? Not anything about system hangs.

And BTW, the PC reads "Initializing USB Devices", and then after that, it puts the amount of RAM I have installed, and that's when it freezes.

Reply to ArkAngel06
55795642   05-19-2009 at 06:19:25 PM
- 0 +

Scroll down to the three Q9550 entries in the list and you will find that they require BIOS rev 1231, 1236, or 1238 depending on the specific processor. Click the "Go" button next to any of them and it takes you to the BIOS download/info page with the following info:

Quote :


Version 1238 2009/02/11 update

OS All
Description P5B Deluxe BIOS 1238
Fix system hangs at POST while using certain 4GB memory and CPUs.

File Size 834.85 (KBytes)



If you are running this BIOS, and still having problems, it would appear that the issue is not fully resolved, at least in regards to your specific CPU/memory combination.

Reply to 55795642
ArkAngel06   05-19-2009 at 06:31:15 PM
- 0 +

Hmmm, for some reason I believe I am using 1236....Maybe I didn't feel courageous enough to upgrade the most recent. I will check in about an hour when I get home and post again.

Reply to ArkAngel06
55795642   05-19-2009 at 09:58:05 PM
- 0 +

By the way, what is the configuration of the ram which worked previously vs the new stuff? Section 2.4.2 of your motherboard's manual http://dlsvr.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socket775/P5B Deluxe Wifi-AP/E2268_P5B_Deluxe.rar states no more than 2GB per slot...

If you are installing just two sticks, which slots are you using?

Reply to 55795642
ArkAngel06   05-19-2009 at 10:02:13 PM
- 0 +

It is 8gb total. 4 sticks of 2GB in each slot.

Both are 4 sticks total, equaling 8GB.


Message edited by ArkAngel06 on 05-19-2009 at 10:02:30 PM
Reply to ArkAngel06
55795642   05-19-2009 at 10:09:12 PM
- 0 +

Okay; just checking. :)

Reply to 55795642
ArkAngel06   05-19-2009 at 11:44:11 PM
- 0 +

OK, that last BIOS update actually fixed it. I can't believe being one revision behind was the problem. http://www.alteredegos.org/images/smilies/cheesy.gif

Thanks guys.

Reply to ArkAngel06
Ask the community Add a reply
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Motherboards & Memory > Memory > Only one RAM stick will work at a time
Go to:

There are 1278 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Forum map
Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 0.486 seconds
Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Related Topics
See all relatives topics
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them
How do I win badges?