Can't run my 2x2gb and 2x1gb modules together

[rdbwong]

Hi,

I recently upgraded my computer and picked up an additional 2x2gb crucial ballistix DDR2 800 BL2CP25664AA80A to go along with my 2x1gb crucial ballistix DDR2 800 BL12864AA80A.8FH5. I'm running this on a ASUS P5N32-SLI motherboard on Windows 7 Home Premium. So far I have been unable to run them together. By themselves the computer is stable but together my computer won't boot or hangs up little bit after entering Windows. In control panel and during boot the computer recognizes the 6gb of ram. I'm using an older version of the bios, would that be the problem and should I upgrade my mb's bios or is there something else that I should try? Thanks in advance.

-Roland

 

[o1die]

You can try a bios flash. Did you read the board manual? It should list the actual ram slots to use with your mix of ram. Check the ram settings in the bios; be sure to enable any memory mapping settings for using four slots.

 

[jaquith]

Yes, I would update to BIOS 0502 "Revise memory size information in BIOS setup when installing 4G memory" assuming you have P5N32-SLI Deluxe; there are 3 version of 'P5N32-SLI'. See correct DIMM slots below.

BL12864AA80A.8FH5 -> http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?imodule=BL12864AA80A
DDR2 800 MHz 4-4-4-12 @ 2.0v 128Meg x 64

BL2CP25664AA80A -> http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?imodule=BL2KIT25664AA80A
DDR2 800 MHz 4-4-4-12 @ 2.0v 256Meg x 64

P5N32-SLI {Deluxe} http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=aRt58hctks0a1cXX

DIMM Slots:
CPU: | A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 |
{A1 + A2 = B1 + B2}

CPU: | 2GB | 1GB | 2GB | 1GB |

 

[rdbwong]

So I went to asus's website and downloaded the newest version bios for my motherboard

P5N32-SLI http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=vBZLIBtPzYB2bLcb which was v. 1903

and upgraded it using Asus EZ flash 2. Everything went fine till it rebooted and now I have a blank screen. What happened? Did I do something wrong? Is there a way for me to revert back to the old bios? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[o1die]

Asus has a crashfree bios recovery program on some of it's motherboard cd's. You'll have to search the cd and also go to asus website for procedures on recovering your board bios. You can also try using the cmos jumper or remove the board battery to reset the bios.

 

[rdbwong]

Thanks for the quick reply, I will go ahead and try to reset bios by taking the battery out. o1die could you clarify on your earlier response of "Check the ram settings in the bios; be sure to enable any memory mapping settings for using four slots." as I'm not sure exactly what you mean? Are you referring to the settings of the ram etc like memory timings of 4-4-4-12? Thanks.

 

[jaquith]

If you can boot into the BIOS then it's not a bad flash, and more than likely some other BIOS change; e.g. AHCI->IDE or now the BIOS sees the RAM and they might not be compatible or voltage/speed.

Try the 2GB sticks:
CPU: | 2GB | blank | 2GB | blank |

 

[o1die]

No. Memory mapping is one setting to get all four slots working together. I never manually set the timings, especially when mixing different ram. Let the board choose those settings.

 

[rdbwong]

Thanks for the responses o1die and jaquith, I removed my battery on the mb and was able to boot the computer back up with no problems. Only problem is I still cannot get the 4 sticks of ram to run together. I installed the ram in the sequence you showed on your post jaquith ( CPU: | 2GB | 1 GB | 2GB | 1 GB | ) and still the computer will lock up. So as of now I am just using the 2x2gb sticks ( CPU: | 2GB | blank | 2GB | blank | ) and everything is fine. I'm still pretty confused as to why I can't get all 4 modules to work together, but I definitely appreciate the timely responses from o1die and jaquith. I guess for now I'll just run my system with 4gbs instead of 6gbs.

 

[jaquith]

I assume you have the 64-bit version of Win Home Premium.

I would try with all 4 sticks as above, and manually change the Memory Voltage -> 2.10~2.20v; see page 4-23 of your manual.

I always manually set my RAM manually; I want my frequency, CAS, voltage to be set to at least rated specs.

 

[rdbwong]

Yes I'm running the 64-bit version of Win Home Premium. I tried once more to get the 4 sticks to run again, this time manually adjusting the memory voltage to 2.15 as well as 2.175v and was unsuccessful in getting the computer to boot. I appreciate all the help and input, I guess I'll just have to live without the extra 2 gigs of ram. Thanks once again to jaquith and o1die.