New System Boot Error: Narrowed down to one stick of RAM

[tbkurtz]

Hello Everyone,

Got a new system build POST error. Three long beeps and one short beep. Following the 'read before posting' suggestions I was able to identify the problem area, which is RAM.

Here is my current situation...

Both sticks of RAM in slots 1 and 2. POST error.
Both sticks of RAM in slots 1 and 3. POST error.

One stick in slot 1. Boots fine.

I did as suggested in the read before posting thread, and manually set the RAM voltage to 1.5v, which is default for DDR3 and I double checked my specific RAM to ensure its also 1.5v.

I am having problems eliminating the stick as faulty due to a teensy problem. The CPU cooler I purchased actually sits over the first slot on my motherboard, making it impossible to remove that stick without removing the CPU cooler. Also, the cooler is known for being a PITA on AMD mobo's. I didn't read the reviews closely enough before purchasing, though, so now I am stuck with it.


So, bad stick of RAM or other problem?


Also, back to the CPU cooler... just in the BIOS my CPU temp is listed at 42. This is with no operating system installed and the case open. Is this high for a idle quad core? One of the problems with the CPU cooler I purchased is that the contact to the CPU is a bit small for quad core processors. But its my understanding (based on a very very limited understanding of thermal dynamics) that the conductivity of metal is so high that it doesn't necessarily have to be touching on all places. Should I be concerned? Once I get the RAM problem figured out I will do a Prime95 stress test to see what temps are going to look like under load.

Specs Below...

RAM: A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H AM3 AMD 890GX HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler

Thanks in advance for any support...

 

[Alvin Smith]

Populate the furthest slot from CPU first ... Just one stick ... Boot ... What happens?

Now, Try the other stick in that same slot ... (furthest from CPU) ... Boot ... what ?

Finally ... Try them both ... One in the furthest slot ... SKIP a slot ... put the 2nd stick in the NEXT slot ... leaving an EMPTY slot between the sticks ... boot .. what, then ?

= Alvin =

 

[tbkurtz]

hmm, in order to try your suggestion I will have to remove the CPU cooler. Are you getting at that some of the new MOBO's have the preffered slots further from the CPU? If that's the case, I checked the documentation to double check what slots were preferred for duel channel with two sticks.

 

[Alvin Smith]

Are you saying the cooler is blocking two slots ?

Put one stick furthest away ... skip the next slot ... then the 2nd stick. it won't catch fire!

= Al =

 

[Alvin Smith]

I'll look it up and see what the RTFM says.

 

[Alvin Smith]

So putting the sticks in the white "DDR3,DDR4" slots at the same time did not work ?
= Alvin =

Due to CPU limitations, read the following guidelines before installing the memory in Dual Channel mode.
1. Dual Channel mode cannot be enabled if only one DDR3 memory module is installed.
2. When enabling Dual Channel mode with two or four memory modules, it is recommended that memory of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used and installed in the same colored DDR3 sockets for optimum performance.

 

[tbkurtz]

The problem is that I have a stick in DDR1 slot and can't remove it without taking out the cooler, which I CAN do, but it would be a pain in the rear. I will try it when I get some time to lay the computer down and can take all the proper precautions for messing around with the CPU.

 

[Alvin Smith]

oh ... cool! .. You installed the RAM before the cooler and everything fit ... ha.

... never heard that one.

.. sure .. of course!

= Al =

 

[Alvin Smith]

From the installation instruction diagrams, on that cooler, it *almost* looks like you might be able to move the retainer clips and turn the whole thing 90 degrees ...
... why do they insist on having it overhang the RAM ??? ... what a PITA !

= Al =

 

[tbkurtz]

lol. If I had researched better I wouldn't have purchased the cooler. the clips attach to a metal piece that goes between the vertical metal tubes. it could be unscrewed but it couldn't rotate :-\

ill update once i change the ram around... i'll probably just use 3 and 4 permanently unless i replace the cooler

 

[Alvin Smith]

I guess you already know the CoolerMaster Hyper-212 is the way to go $34

 

[tbkurtz]

Well, bad news. I put the stick in question in slot 4, system didn't post. 3 long beeps and 1 short. Then, I put the stick that has been in slot 1 this whole time into slot 4, system POST'd just fine.

Anything else I can do?

 

[Alvin Smith]

DUDE ! YOU are SO LUCKY that it is JUST a stick of RAM and NOT the mobo ! !

RAM is fast and cheap and easy to RMA ... use this thread as "proof of isolation".

= Alvin =