View Full Version : Weird Memory Problem
Hey everybody! I'm new to this board, but not to computers, and I have a problem which is driving me crazy. A couple days ago I ordered 2 gigs of Kingston Hyper X PC3200 ram, to add onto the 1 gig I already had. When I got the RAM I installed it in the 3rd and 4th slots, powered up my PC, and nothing..just a blank black screen. No beeps, nothing. I also installed a new power supply, which I suspected as the culprit, so I reinstalled my old PSU and I still got the same problem. I assumed I could not pair 512 sticks and 1gig sticks, so I RMAed the ram and psu and ordered new ram (512x512:1gig). Today I install the new ram in sockets 2 and 4, and the same problem..black screen. The ram is the same type, but manufactured in different countries..and the sticks look a little different even though they have the same serial number. Any ideas? I'm thinking it might be bad ram sockets? Thanks in advance. :bang head
CrackerD|ce
08-11-06, 02:34 PM
did you try just the 2 new sticks alone with the same problem? try changing around the sockets with the other sticks alone as well. That will atleast tell you if its the slots.
I just took you'r advice and installed ONLY the new memory sticks in slots 1 and 3. Booted up to POST and said 'Memory Timing Error' so I go into the bios set up, and it automatically changed my manual timing (2-3-2-6) to something like 3-3-3-8. I set all the ram timings to auto now, and shut down. I'm going to install the other sticks now with auto ram timings set in the bios and see if it goes well, and if it does hopefully it can be readjusted without problems. I'll post back in a few, thanks for the response bro.
CrackerD|ce
08-11-06, 02:54 PM
Good deal. Just post the outcome, hopefully that fixes it for you.
Alright this is getting more F'd up as I continue...I just reinstalled the orignial 2 sticks again and everything booted up fine. Computer shows 2 gigs of ram. I reboot and readjust the timings to 2-3-2-6 (what kingston says they should run at) and the computer goes back to the black screen. Does this mean I'm going to have to run either 1 gig at advanced timings or 2 gigs at slower timings? I just updated the bios lastnight, it should be able to handle 2 gigs at 2-3-2-6...and if I have to settle for the 3-3-3-8 default bios timings at 2 gigs ram, will that still be a lot faster for gaming than 1 gig at 2-3-2-6? This is annoying!
CrackerD|ce
08-11-06, 03:09 PM
when it comes to timmings I really aint the encyclopedia like half these great people here. But I would take 2 gigs of slightly higher timed then 1 gig of lower timed any day. I noticed a difference in going from higher timed 2 gigs to lower timed 1 gig, but even with the 1 gig it's faster, but it is faster memory, but 2 gigs suits me better
I guess I'll just stick with the 2 gigs at auto-detect timings..it just sucks that I can't set the timings to what they should be at. I'd be happy just to know WHY I can't run an additional gig at the manual timings. It's not like I'm even overclocking the ram, 2-3-2-6 is what Kingston says it should run at! I guess I should be happy I got it working though..thanks for the help again. If anybody else reads this please enlighten me as to why I can't set the timings like I did with 1 gig installed. Thanks~
KillrBuckeye
08-11-06, 03:48 PM
Are you running the rated VDimm? Try nudging it up a little bit (if you have that option) to see if it enables you to run the rated timings.
VDIMM means the voltage running into the ram right? My motherboard document says 2.6v (only).
Just checked my bios, there's no option to change the voltage. I can change the memory's clock speed, CPC, timings, and that's about it.
KillrBuckeye
08-14-06, 12:38 PM
You have to set your timings according to your "weakest" module. Are both of your 1 GB modules rated for 2-3-2-6 at 2.6V? If not, then you're going to have to live with looser timings. If they are rated for those timings, and it really bothers you that they can't do it, then you can pursue an RMA. It might not be worth the trouble though.
Yep, they're both the same exact modules. Well they're the same serial number, but manufactured in different countries if that matters. I'm just wondering why it's happening at this point, not too bothered by it as it's increased my computer performance by leaps and bounds. Thanks for the reply though! -Teg177
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