OS not booting with new Ram

Natecobalt · 22 Dec 2012 at 23:17

Hi there

This no doubt is probably a very common issue from what I've read elsewhere on the internet although I was hoping to get a little feedback from the boards here.

I've just purchased some ram which was on offer in the hopes that I be able to just drop it in but unfortunately windows 7 is refusing to boot. The motherboard recognises the ram in Bios, it just seems as though it is refusing to use the ram for booting the OS. Time for a silly question, is it possible that the ram is not compatible with my mobo, or is this a Bios settings issue than can be rectified?

Current Mobo: Gigabyte H55M-UD2H Intel H55 (Socket 1156) - Running an i3.

New Ram: Avexir Core Series 16gb (2x8gb) DDr3-PC3-12800C9 1600mhz Dual channel kit.

Thanks for any help on this, if I've forgotten to state anything just let me know.

RJC · 23 Dec 2012 at 00:11

Hello and welcome to the forum

The board should handle the memory ok as it is seen in the BIOS.

But check the ram voltage, speed and timings in the BIOS.

What does the system do, Blue screen appears anywhere?

Natecobalt · 23 Dec 2012 at 00:26

Thanks for the welcome, and reply.

I did have a little go at changing voltage, my current ram is 1.6v, Changed the bios down to 1.5v for the new ram as well as putting in the new timings.

On saving and restarting with the new settings, my pc gives me a audible error code which is a long and constant beep. Windows fails to start and offers to run startup repair or to start windows normally, at this point either option will crash the system. Manually restating and entering Bios again it gives me a warning message stating that voltages/timings have been changed to a point where system instability is very likely.

This, was as far as I was willing to go so I changed everything back as i didn't want to fiddle too much, stuck my current ram in and everything runs back as it once did.

RJC · 23 Dec 2012 at 00:37

Couple of other options to try, check if your on the latest BIOS, also try each stick individually just in case you have a faulty stick.

Having double checked the Gigabyte website the board can handle a maximum of 16gb, I am hoping this can be in the form of one / two or three sticks.

Mem Test:

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

Natecobalt · 23 Dec 2012 at 00:53

Update for you, I've just had another go at setting up the relevant voltages/timings/speed. I am now error-free and it seems to be getting past the start up sequence. I now have in front of me the windows start up screen, normally you would see a windows animation but it seems to have frozen completely during this phase.

This link is essentially what my screen looks like atm.

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s151/XNexusDragonX/lkgc-windows-7-01_zps8a6197b3.jpg

RJC · 23 Dec 2012 at 09:28

Try your old ram or drop the the speed on your new ram and see if you can get into Windows. Download Mem test in my link above and save to DVD which will be a bootable disc and boot form this after you have re-set up your new ram.
This will test your ram for any errors, also check your BIOS rev.

Natecobalt · 23 Dec 2012 at 18:17

Thanks for all the help so far.

I have given memtest86 a shot, it immediately crashes upon trying its first test/pass - 3 seconds in. I've put my old ram back in to test my copy of memtest and the test ran flawlessly with my 2x2gb. I'm getting rather puzzled now as to why the system absolutely refuses to run the ram.