PC Not Accepting RAM?!

NeoReloaded · 11 Jul 2010 at 16:34

Hey guys for some reason my pc over the last 2 years will only accept 3gig of RAM and i don't know why?! At first i just thought it was dodgy RAM, but i got 2x 2gig sticks yesterday and when i put them in my system won't boot up as always! On my mobo LCD clock thingy it comes up with "C1"?! Surely my motherboard is capable of 4 gig of RAM ¬.¬

Any help appreciated.

stulid · 11 Jul 2010 at 16:36

specs?

RJC · 11 Jul 2010 at 16:37

What your system specs.

Running latest BIOS.

NeoReloaded · 11 Jul 2010 at 16:40

E6600 Overclocked @3.06ghz
3 gig RAM
4870 1gig
Windows 7 64bit

Not sure about latest BIOS im a bit of a noob when it comes to BIOS stuff

ns400r · 11 Jul 2010 at 16:42

And what is the make and model of your motherboard?

stulid · 11 Jul 2010 at 16:42

motherboard make and model, can be found printed around it somewhere?

RJC · 11 Jul 2010 at 16:43

What motherboard are you using

NeoReloaded · 11 Jul 2010 at 16:49

Abit AW9D-MAX

RJC · 11 Jul 2010 at 16:53

When installing the RAM have you still got the cpu overclocked?

Install the ram and do a CMOS reset.

stulid · 11 Jul 2010 at 16:57

which bios do you have?

http://www.abit.com.tw/page/en/moth...EL_NAME=AW9D-MAX&fMTYPE=LGA775&pPRODINFO=BIOS

bios aw9d15 mentions something about fixing a dimm3 issue.

you can find out the bios version when the pc does its post/startup stuff

NeoReloaded · 11 Jul 2010 at 17:09

What's the difference between the blue and black RAM slots as i have a 2gig stick in a blue one and a 1gig stick in the other blue one?

DireEmblem · 11 Jul 2010 at 17:10

Its to do with matching up ram for duel channel, rather than single(i think you fill the blue slots first)

alex24 · 11 Jul 2010 at 17:12

Have you tried upping the Northbridge volts in the BIOS? This is sometimes required for increased RAM. Other than that, the board may just be weak/faulty.

NeoReloaded · 11 Jul 2010 at 17:18

alexhull24 said:
Have you tried upping the Northbridge volts in the BIOS? This is sometimes required for increased RAM.

After a bit of research it looks like this is probably the problem! I know it's a lot to ask, but could you explain in a nice easy way how i can and what i should change my volts to in the BIOS?

NeoReloaded · 11 Jul 2010 at 17:37

Ok with my BIOS settings i have "Guru Utility" and my current voltage in "DDR2 SDRAM Voltage" is 2.10v and i can jump up by 5 up to 2.65v! Or i can change it from user define to automatic! Any ideas?

RJC · 11 Jul 2010 at 17:44

Look for MCH voltage, this is the Northbridge.

Up a notch or 2.

alex24 · 11 Jul 2010 at 19:57

Can't help a lot as I don't have experience with that boards BIOS, but as above, something like NB volts or northbridge volts or as above, MCH is likely. Don't up it a lot. The DRAM voltage you saw is your RAM. Set this to what the modules are rated to. For DDR2 this is usually between 1.8 and 2.2 volts.

NeoReloaded · 11 Jul 2010 at 20:09

alexhull24 said:
Can't help a lot as I don't have experience with that boards BIOS, but as above, something like NB volts or northbridge volts or as above, MCH is likely. Don't up it a lot. The DRAM voltage you saw is your RAM. Set this to what the modules are rated to. For DDR2 this is usually between 1.8 and 2.2 volts.

Ahh ok just that in Guru Utility it describes MCH Voltage as voltage for my PCI-E slots!

alex24 · 11 Jul 2010 at 20:21

NeoReloaded said:
Ahh ok just that in Guru Utility it describes MCH Voltage as voltage for my PCI-E slots!

Let me check.

alex24 · 11 Jul 2010 at 20:28

Check this out. MCH is memory controller hub, so it's definitely that one you need to change. As RJC said, couple of notches.

If that link is blocked, it just confirms what options your BIOS has. Not many btw!