Installed new RAM on my Asus P6t rig, now it wont enter the OS

[omgwtfmoo?]

So I wanted to up my RAM from 6gb to 12gb.

Drove to my "local" Microcenter and picked up the Patriot G-Series DDR3 PC3-10666 1333Mhz Ram kit

Before I tried to install the new RAM, I removed my old RAM which is a Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1600Mhz

As far as I know after looking around there shouldn't be any compatibility issues BUT I guess I was wrong. The corsair RAM was in the orange slots so when I first tried installing the Partriot RAM thats where I put it. PC wouldnt enter the OS so I shut it down, put the sticks in the black slots and tried again, same results.

So I took the new RAM out, put the old RAM back into its original slots and it started up just fine.

So is there anyone out there that has experience with ASUS mobos and RAM or am I going to have to eat the $160 cost of this RAM kit as I cant return it now that it has been in my PC?

Thanks

[MiRai]

So I wanted to up my RAM from 6gb to 12gb.

Drove to my "local" Microcenter and picked up the Patriot G-Series DDR3 PC3-10666 1333Mhz Ram kit

Before I tried to install the new RAM, I removed my old RAM which is a Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1600Mhz

As far as I know after looking around there shouldn't be any compatibility issues BUT I guess I was wrong. The corsair RAM was in the orange slots so when I first tried installing the Partriot RAM thats where I put it. PC wouldnt enter the OS so I shut it down, put the sticks in the black slots and tried again, same results.

So I took the new RAM out, put the old RAM back into its original slots and it started up just fine.

So is there anyone out there that has experience with ASUS mobos and RAM or am I going to have to eat the $160 cost of this RAM kit as I cant return it now that it has been in my PC?

Thanks
So you had 3x2GB and you bought 3x4GB?

Are both of these kits rated at the same voltage?

You say "Wouldn't enter the OS." What does that mean? You don't see the BIOS? You hear beeping from the
motherboard? You see the Windows logo and then the computer blue screens?

Can you link these RAM kits and motherboard off of a website?

[mikekim]

Have you tried lowering the memory speed on the ram, and/or adjusting the timings to get them to run.
When you move up to 12gb kits, they can sometimes be a challenge to get to run properly

[burningforce]

sounds like you did not reset the bios or change the values in the bios. it might be still using the old config for the memory and not optimized for the new memory you bought.

best thing to do is enter the bios and manually change the memory desired config that the memory is set to run at (speed, timings, voltage, etc) on the package.

or you can just load "optimized defaults" for the bios, this will erase whatever settings it has in there and load the default for the board. then it should detect your hardware and what not. note this will erase whatever settings you set in the bios, so if you overclocked you will have to reenter those settings again.

another thing is to get memtest+ and test the memory one-by-one to see if there are errors, this of coarse is after you set the correct memory info into the bios and save it

[omgwtfmoo?]

OK...By wouldnt enter OS I mean the PC will startup but it wont even go to BIOS (should have been more specific sorry)

Yes i had 3x2gb now I want to install 3x4gb

The original RAM kit was rated at 1.65v and the new ones are 1.5v.

here are the originals: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145222

and here are the new ones: http://www.patriotmemory.com/products/detailp.jsp?prodline=5&catid=34&prodgroupid=200&id=975&type=1

As far as resetting the CMOS I have tried both resetting to default values from BIOS and then installing new RAM with no results as well as removing the CMOS battery and installing the new RAM, also yielded no results.

[MiRai]

OK...By wouldnt enter OS I mean the PC will startup but it wont even go to BIOS (should have been more specific sorry)

Yes i had 3x2gb now I want to install 3x4gb

The original RAM kit was rated at 1.65v and the new ones are 1.5v.

here are the originals: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145222

and here are the new ones: http://www.patriotmemory.com/products/detailp.jsp?prodline=5&catid=34&prodgroupid=200&id=975&type=1

As far as resetting the CMOS I have tried both resetting to default values from BIOS and then installing new RAM with no results as well as removing the CMOS battery and installing the new RAM, also yielded no results.
Both of the RAM kits that you've given links to show that they are both 1.65v. I would try this next:

Put in 1 stick of memory and see if the system will boot. If it does, see what the BIOS is reporting for timings and voltage
and make the necessary adjustments if needed. After that put in another module and see if you still get a successful boot
until you can install all 3 modules.

If it doesn't boot, keep trying each individual module, one at a time, in each of the banks. You don't have to try every single
bank but I would test at least one bank of each color from the first channel. If none of the modules will boot with just a single
stick in multiple slots then...

I don't know.

DDR3 is DDR3 and triple channel is no more special than dual channel. If you have access to another system that uses
DDR3 I would suggest trying the sticks in there as well. If they won't boot then I would guess they're bad. Even if you
can't get your money back through Micro Center the RAM is still under warranty through Patriot.

Also quoted directly from Patriot's site:

How come my brand name computer will not boot with the Patriot Low Latency Memory kit that I just purchased?

Most brand name computer such Dell, HP, and Compaq has limitations in their BIOS not allowing low latency memory
modules to function properly. Most of the time, they also disable memory settings in BIOS so users are not able to
manipulate them. Since these computers has BIOS limitations, our Patriots Low Latency Kits are not recommended for
these brand name computers. We certainly can recommend any of our compatible Signature Line memory.

[omgwtfmoo?]

Thanks Fenril, I've now had some improvement. I got my PC to boot with 2 sticks of the new RAM in it, BUT it will only recognize one of them. I tried putting all three in, switching which port i put each stick in but it will only boot with 2 or less.

Also in regards to the quote from Patriot, I built my PC from the ground up so I dont have to worry about limitations :)

thanks for the help so far, hopefully I/We can figure this thing out. I got 4 level 80 shammies to level :)

[omgwtfmoo?]

OK, now my PC will recognize all 3 of the sticks but only in the first two orange slots, the third one hasn't been responding.

As far as the black slots go, i tested just the first one and got nothing so i stopped there since I saw some improvement with the orange slots.

guess i'll have to keep trying

[MiRai]

OK, now my PC will recognize all 3 of the sticks but only in the first two orange slots, the third one hasn't been responding.

As far as the black slots go, i tested just the first one and got nothing so i stopped there since I saw some improvement with the orange slots.

guess i'll have to keep trying
While this can be the nature of the troubleshooting beast, sometimes hardware can just be broken. Perhaps there is a BIOS
upgrade (or downgrade) for your motherboard which might help.

[alcattle]

If all else fails, read the manual. I mean which slots are set up for which sticks? I always have to check which is A1 or B1

[Kris1234]

just to add some experience i have had. are you sure your mobo can handle 4gb sticks? my mobo supports 12gb BUT only using 6x2gb sticks.

best to get that manual out and have a look.

oh and i agree with alcattle above, the ram is suppose to go in certain slots

[omgwtfmoo?]

Well I am at work so i cant look at the manual BUT.. My mobo supports up to 24gb or RAM so it has to accept 4gb sticks right? Or is it possible to run 3x8gb lol

Should I just save myself the headache and package the RAM back up and try to exchange it for another 3x2gb kit?

Thanks for the help guys i greatly appreciate it

[Durant]

I recently updated mine from 9GB (3x2 and 3x1) to 12gb (6x2) and I had hassle initially, the power would go on but nothing on monitor, I removed all the RAM and tried the new on its own, didnt work so took out new and put old 2 GB sticks back in, it worked! Went on to add new 2 GB sticks and then it worked fine.

Sometimes MB can be tempremental lol

Also in the past have had RAM issues and I have tried everything to sort it and then realised 1 stick had not been put in "exactly" right.

Make sure its clicking into place and that its fixed firmly, I might be preaching to the choir but its an easy mistake to make even for a seasoned overclocker and can save you hours of frustration.

[omgwtfmoo?]

They were definitely seated correctly.

Should I put the old ram in the a1 b1 c1 slots and then put the 4gb sticks in the a2 b2 c2 slots for a total of 18gb? Lol

[Durant]

LOL mix it up a bit see what works. In all seriousness I was experimenting for about 30 mins with different combos until I finally got mine working!

Or if you are prepared to wait get it sent back and swapped for a replacement kit.

LMK if you get sorted :)

[omgwtfmoo?]

Well i wouldnt have to send it back, the micro center i got it from is local.

But I guess I will try mix and match before i try to exchange it

[omgwtfmoo?]

So I guess I got what I wanted and didn't at the same time...

I put all three of the old sticks back in the a1 b1 c1 slots and then rebooted.

Then I put two of the new 4gb sticks into the a1 b1 slots. But my PC won't enter bios with a third 4gb stick in the c2 slot.

So now I have 14gb instead of the 12 I would have had if the new ram worked the first time I put it In.

So now I have a spare 4gb stick. Maybe someday my PC will get off it's period and let me put my other stick in. 0.o lol

[MiRai]

So I guess I got what I wanted and didn't at the same time...

I put all three of the old sticks back in the a1 b1 c1 slots and then rebooted.

Then I put two of the new 4gb sticks into the a1 b1 slots. But my PC won't enter bios with a third 4gb stick in the c2 slot.

So now I have 14gb instead of the 12 I would have had if the new ram worked the first time I put it In.

So now I have a spare 4gb stick. Maybe someday my PC will get off it's period and let me put my other stick in. 0.o lol
Using 5 out of 6 sticks is affecting how your board is utilizing it's channels and it's probably not worth it. Have you looked into
different BIOS revisions at all?

[omgwtfmoo?]

No I haven't and honestly I wouldn't even know where to start looking for that. I have an Asus P6T (not deluxe) but I don't know what bios I'm currently using

[Sajuuk]

Using 5 out of 6 sticks is affecting how your board is utilizing it's channels and it's probably not worth it. Have you looked into
different BIOS revisions at all?

Also, this is definitely a strange problem. It couldn't hurt to ask for asus support on this (Although this could be laughable)

[omgwtfmoo?]

Once in game with the 5 sticks of ram, I get ~50fps on my main and the others are limited to 30.

The second I enter combat I drop down to an un-playable ~5fps on all characters.

Also on a side note, the screens on all my toons show buildings objects and terrain flashing randomly so idk...fml

[omgwtfmoo?]

EDIT: found the bios update list for my mobo from the USA.asus.com site.

There have been 14 updates since 2008 lol

If you want to look here is the link: http://USA.asus.com/motherboards/Intel_Socket_1366/P6T/#download

My OS is XP 64

Version 0904 says it improved memory compatibility, perhaps that is the one I should upgrade to?

[omgwtfmoo?]

Srry for the multiple posts...

I fixed the screen flashing issue, turns out all my toons were set to good quality so I guess my gfx card was getting overloaded? My gfx card is a GTX260 so maybe I'll upgrade that for a bday present to myself this summer lol

As far as the BIOS revision, idk whether or not I need it so someone more motherboard savvy would have to take a look

Thanks to all for your help so far

[MiRai]

Srry for the multiple posts...

I fixed the screen flashing issue, turns out all my toons were set to good quality so I guess my gfx card was getting overloaded? My gfx card is a GTX260 so maybe I'll upgrade that for a bday present to myself this summer lol

As far as the BIOS revision, idk whether or not I need it so someone more motherboard savvy would have to take a look

Thanks to all for your help so far
There should be a utility program on your motherboard CD/DVD which you can flash your BIOS through Windows with. You
might also want to look at your manual to see what it says.

[Durant]

For P6T6 I think its called ASUS update, great tool can flash from desktop, it either searches and downloads BIOS for you or you can select one you have saved to a location. (Had more success with the latter)

Looks like you are getting somewhere though :)

[omgwtfmoo?]

I know you guys are gonna laugh but I dont even have disk drives in my PC. I have an Antec case(forget which one) and I installed a watercooling system and unfortunately my reservoir and pump take up the area that my disk drives would go into lol.

I guess I'll have to DL the update tool so i can get that last 4gb stick in there. The performance with only 5 sticks was fine. Ran AV with a steady ~55fps in and out of combat. Almost got wrecking ball too lol.

[Durant]

Nice One :)

[Sajuuk]

I know you guys are gonna laugh but I dont even have disk drives in my PC. I have an Antec case(forget which one) and I installed a watercooling system and unfortunately my reservoir and pump take up the area that my disk drives would go into lol.

I guess I'll have to DL the update tool so i can get that last 4gb stick in there. The performance with only 5 sticks was fine. Ran AV with a steady ~55fps in and out of combat. Almost got wrecking ball too lol.

Oh well? If you really need to you could just get an external drive/run an internal outside the case.

[omgwtfmoo?]

Lol thanks Durant :P

And yeah I guess I could just run an internal outside the case, i have a few in my closet from a previous build.

[Bollwerk]

My OS is XP 64
:eek:

[omgwtfmoo?]

:eek:

lol got a problem with xp?

[MiRai]

lol got a problem with xp?
If he didn't have a problem with XP... I'd be concerned.

[Durant]

omgwtfmoo I would seriously consider getting Windows7, I know its hard to take the step after the abomination that was Vista :D

But once you go 7 you never go back LOL

[Bollwerk]

lol got a problem with xp?
It was perfectly fine back in "the day". But to STILL be using it (especially the 64-bit version) rather than 64-bit Win7 seems an odd choice to me. I'm no MS fanboi, but Windows 7 is a fair bit better than XP, particularly the 64-bit version. It's not perfect, but no OS is.
http://revver.com/video/3946/every-os-sucks-song/

[omgwtfmoo?]

Honestly I just dont feel like dealing with installing a new OS...with my shit luck the install will be corrupt or missing files and I wont be able to use my PC for who knows how long lmao.

xp 64 does what I need it to and (knock on wood) ive never had a virus

[Sam DeathWalker]

You need to move to Win7, I didn't want to upgrade all my stuff from win2000 but I bit the bullet and got rid of years and years of programs and reinstalled everything and am glad I did.

Win7 is well worth it.

[omgwtfmoo?]

Well you had windows 2000.. I understand the move to Win7 lol. Right now I just want to get my new gfx card and get my team to 85. Maybe then I'll deal with moving to win7