RAM compatibility problem (PC)

[Cronozilla]

Have you considered that there might be something wrong with the board?
Have you tried the working stick in both slots?

And, when you try new RAM, are you doing it one slot at a time?

[Stark]

Are you getting any beeps during POST? Or just whirring fans, etc.?

Have you tried just the upgrade RAM and took the original RAM out?

[Ziggy]

Have you considered that there might be something wrong with the board?
Have you tried the working stick in both slots?

And, when you try new RAM, are you doing it one slot at a time?

There IS something wrong with the board - It's impossible to find RAM that works with it!

But yeah, whenever I tried new RAM I would first install both. Then I would install just one at a time. Then I would test new RAM on another PC to confirm it wasn't DOA.

IIRC, I have tried the working stick in both slots, but let me do that again just to confirm. But I'm pretty sure that I already have, and that it worked in both slots.

Are you getting any beeps during POST? Or just whirring fans, etc.?

Have you tried just the upgrade RAM and took the original RAM out?

No beeps. When I hit the power button, the fans spin up and the power LED comes on but the monitor never kicks on (amber stand by light - never turns green and comes on).

Yes, I have tried just the upgrade RAM without the old RAM. This mobo only has two RAM slots.

[Stark]

Could be a power draw issue, you should be getting beeps from POST if the RAM is incompatible.

[Cronozilla]

Just to eliminate potential issues, have you tried the same build with a different power supply?

Personally, if I were trying to diagnose it, I would disconnect everything. I would only have the Motherboard with the CPU and RAM (one slot at a time) and the Graphics card.

No mouse, no keyboard, no HDD, no Optic drive, and no other peripherals.

I would then disconnect the existing power supply and I would use another that I know works.

If at that point in time, it behaves the way you've explained while testing one stick in one slot at a time, then you know it's either the board or the CPU. And, honestly, I doubt it would be the CPU.

It could be an incompatibility, I guess, but it's starting to sound unlikely.

[Ziggy]

You know, I didn't even consider that. I recently did a couple upgrades to this computer. RAM was only one of them. I also replaced the PSU because the fan was starting to make a noise. I know it's not top of the line, but I put in a Corsair CXM series 420w. I know that the CX series are not made by Seasonic like the other Corsair models are. It's at least 80 plus certified.

The only thing, the latest RAM that I got that doesn't work is that Kingston low profile set. They have about the same power draw that the old Kingston stick has, a little less actually IIRC. But, it's a good theory. I'll put it to the test right now.

I'll try powering on the computer with only the essentials hooked up. If that doesn't work, I'll try the old PSU (I still have it). I'll try one stick at a time as well.

Pretty sure it's not the CPU. The computer functions perfectly with the 1 working RAM stick. Also, after I couldn't get the first RAM upgrade kit working, I actually upgraded the CPU to see if that was the problem. It had a Celeron CPU with an 800 FSB in there, I upgraded it to a Core 2 Duo with a 1066 FSB so that the FSB would match the RAM (and also, the C2D was only $15 shipped on eBay so the upgrade was worth it anyway).

[noiseredux]

do you have one of those little thingies that beeps different error code patterns for motherboards when you power on? I don't know the proper name for those things, but they've saved me a few times.

[Ziggy]

OK, I just tried unplugging everything except for the CPU, RAM and Video card. Only power was the 24-pin main connector and 4-pin CPU connector (the video card does not require power). I tried each stick of new RAM in each slot, nothing. Then, I hooked up the old PSU and it was the same deal. I don't think power is the problem.

I just realized now that I could have removed the video card and used the on board graphics (I forgot that the mobo had it) but I don't think that would help.

do you have one of those little thingies that beeps different error code patterns for motherboards when you power on? I don't know the proper name for those things, but they've saved me a few times.

A post code card? Nah, I don't have one. I was gonna get one years ago just to keep around in case, but I never really needed one. And it might not help me in this case. All they really do is read any errors while the computer is POSTing. I have nothing on screen, I don't think the computer is even starting to POST.

[Ziggy]

Ugh, so guess what... I just put the RAM from my computer into my brother's and it worked. This is exactly what I have:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820145222

It's no longer available to purchase.

BUT! It's DDR3 1600, so maybe I should try that Crucial 8GB set that guarantees compatibility?

I don't know, I really don't feel like paying another restocking fee after this second one. It looks like this motherboard is just REALLY picky with RAM, and some how I got lucky with the original stick. Either that, or the motherboard can't read the SPD in the new RAM (the RAM from my computer was purchased 5 years ago).

Bleh, I don't know.

[Stark]

Ugh, so guess what... I just put the RAM from my computer into my brother's and it worked. This is exactly what I have:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820145222

It's no longer available to purchase.

BUT! It's DDR3 1600, so maybe I should try that Crucial 8GB set that guarantees compatibility?

I don't know, I really don't feel like paying another restocking fee after this second one. It looks like this motherboard is just REALLY picky with RAM, and some how I got lucky with the original stick. Either that, or the motherboard can't read the SPD in the new RAM (the RAM from my computer was purchased 5 years ago).

Bleh, I don't know.

This feels like a stupid question, but maybe it's not ... have you updated the BIOS on this guy yet?