HELP.. system wont boot.

Twists n Turns · 6 Nov 2014 at 09:08

Hi. Hope someone can help. And reassure me I've not done anything to my whole system.

Basically, i got new ram. From 4gbx1 to 4gbx2. Both gskill ripjaw.
Except the 2 4gb sticks are 1600mhz and my motherboard supports up to 1333mhz. But read it was ok use, and would just run at 1333mhz.

Now I don't know what I've done. I've possibly slotted the ram in the wrong way. (I know that's hard to do) or just wasn't in properly.

Powered up my system. And it went dead almost instantly. Fan led flashed on for a sec.
I left it and tried again and it seemed to kick in but it powers on for about 10secs then resets itself and just loops.

Nothing from the display.

Tried my old ram back in.. Same thing is happening.

Tried without any ram. Same.

No beeps coming from system.

Please tell me I've not fried my whole system?
Will my card and hard drives etc be ok?

I don't mind if its just the MB gone but I'm so angry with myself.
My motherboard is the Gigabyte p61 and the ram was gskill 2 stcks of 4. Old ram was one single 4gb.

Thanks for reading. Any input is appreciated folks.

ExRayTed · 6 Nov 2014 at 09:15

First thing to do when changing RAM is to clear the CMOS (BIOS).

There should be a battery on the motherboard - take it out and leave it out for 30 minutes.

Put it back in, insert the RAM and try again.

Hagar · 6 Nov 2014 at 09:28

Are you sure the ram is fully slotted in place? It takes a quite firm push at each end. It is not possible to place in the wrong way round. Try the other slots.

Twists n Turns · 6 Nov 2014 at 11:01

Thanks guys. I think it was the battery reset that did it. However I really made sure I pushed down hard on the ram and there was two clicks. Last night I think it only clicked once. Either way I was an idiot.

But that's my system up and running. So thanks again guys. Phew.

However. My system still only shows 4gb, when I have 2x4gb slotted in.

This is my mobo & RAM..

RipjawsX

Memory Type DDR3
Capacity 8GB (4GBx2)
Multi-Channel Kit Dual Channel Kit
Tested Speed 1600MHz
Tested Latency 9-9-9-24-2N
Tested Voltage 1.50v
Registered/Unbuffered Unbuffered
Error Checking Non-ECC
SPD Speed 1600MHz
SPD Voltage 1.50v

MOTHERBOARD-

1.2 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 16 GB of system memory
* Due to Windows 32-bit operating system limitation, when more than 4 GB of physical memory is installed, the actual memory size displayed will be less than 4 GB.
2.Dual channel memory architecture
3.Support for DDR3 1333/1066/800 MHz memory modules
4.Support for non-ECC memory modules

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3778#sp

Any ideas?

Ronson12 · 6 Nov 2014 at 12:31

Are you running 32 bit windows or 64 bit?

32 bit windows cannot use more than 4 gig of ram,so it will only show 4 gig when 8 gig is in the system,if you have 64 bit then ignore this post...

Twists n Turns · 6 Nov 2014 at 12:51

64gbit it is mate.

wazza300 · 6 Nov 2014 at 12:57

make sure your in the right ram slots,usually it first slot empty from cpu socket to front of case then next slot install a stick,next slot empty,next slot install a stick

look in cpu-z memory tab and spd/tab it should say dual channel not single

it should say 8gb ram amount in windows aswell,and in the bios system info page

Twists n Turns · 6 Nov 2014 at 15:02

Nope mate. Cpuz says single and shows only 4gb.

Ive tried switching the ram, and going into Bios first each time. Both times it just showed 4gb in bios too.
So both sticks are ok right ?

Which means its my motherboard or windows ?

I read to make sure my motherboard bios is flashed, not got time today but had a quick look. It actually looks quite difficult/possibility of bricking it. :confused:

Edit - I see in cpuz ''Tools'', there is a bios scanner/updater. BiosAgentPlus
Anyone recommend using that?
Cheers though mate.

wazza300 · 6 Nov 2014 at 15:49

boot from one ram stick and from one ram slot at a time

test both sticks one at a time to try and find if you have a faulty ram stick or slot

so from cpu socket to front of case test second/and fourth ram slots

Twists n Turns · 7 Nov 2014 at 12:53

wazza300 said:
boot from one ram stick and from one ram slot at a time

test both sticks one at a time to try and find if you have a faulty ram stick or slot

so from cpu socket to front of case test second/and fourth ram slots

Il try that mate. Was hoping ot get it done today but that wont happen.

Tbh i think im just going to upgrade my motherboard. But would still like try them out and find out. So i know where i stand if i was going to sell my old mobo on.

Can putting damaged ram in a good slot harm it in anyway, and vice versa no?

What will happen when i find the culprit,be it my ram or slot, what can i expect to happen? i.e. The system wont boot/ get an on screen error/ into bios ?

Thanks.

ED209 · 7 Nov 2014 at 13:10

if you have a faulty stick of ram and its the only 1 in the PC then it will not boot and give a number of beeps

if you are using more than 1 stick of ram then the PC may boot but then only show the one stick that's working and not the faulty one.

so for example if your using 2 x 4GB sticks and one is faulty windows or the bios will only shown 4GB as it cannot detect the faulty stick.

most of the time in my experience of PC's its always been a faulty stick and not the slot it goes in too.