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Computer only boots with 1 stick of RAM

M

Matt G

Junior Member
Hi there

I've been struggling for weeks now to get my system to work with both RAM slots occupied. It is a pretty old system but fine for my purposes of light gaming and schoolwork (see specs below).

This happened after I replaced my no-name OEM PSU that burned out with a Cooler Master Extreme Power Plus 550w. My PSU Also took out my old ATI Radeon 5450 HD and I replaced it with an AMD Radeon HD 7570 video card. This card is kind of an obscure/crappy-by-today's-standards OEM low-profile card, but it's just fine for me.

Everything works perfectly with 1 stick of RAM but it refuses to boot with both slots (2 total). It doesn't matter what stick/slot I use, it always works with just 1. One of four things happens:

1. Computer turns on, fans spin up, hard drive led indicator light comes on for a split second, then the computer turns off again and repeats. No beeps/video.*
2. Computer turns on, fans spin up, hard drive led indicator light comes on for a split second but does not stay on. Computer just runs with no beeps, no video output, nothing.*
3. Somewhat rarely, if I remove and re-seat the RAM or fiddle around with BIOS, it will start up, go through BIOS, ask me to select OS, then instantly tell me there was a problem with windows starting up with either "Run Startup Repair" or "Start Windows Normally". No matter what I pick, the system will instantly reboot and start doing scenario 1 or 2 until I pull the power plug.
4. VERY RARELY, if I remove and re-seat the RAM or fiddle around with BIOS, everything works, all 4 gb RAM, video card, etc. Before this, I have to go into BIOS and change my RAM frequency from 800 (what it's supposed to be) down to 667 mhz. This only works for about 15-60 minutes before the system randomly shuts down and begins its power cycling (and I lose a little more sanity).

*Not only does hard drive fail to start, I also notice the fan on my video card stops spinning as well.

I have tried so many things and it's really frustrating. Not one of them has made any difference whatsoever. I've tried in no particular order:

- Full cleaning of inside dust
- Cleaned RAM contacts with rubbing alcohol and Q-tip
- Windows memory diagnostic
- Windows repair
- Removed mobo and checked for out of place standoffs + tightened them
- Checked CPU for bent pins (none were bent)
- Tried running without HDD to see effects
- Checked, rechecked, installed, reinstalled all power cables probably 30+ times
- Tried many different combinations of manual timings and frequencies as well as auto/SPD
- Sfc /scannow
- Updating BIOS
- Resetting CMOS/BIOS
- Changing BIOS settings such as ACPI and Memory Remapping
and others that I can't remember at the moment

My RAM is Kingston KVR800D2N6/2G 1.8V (2x2gb DDR2), and I've had it for years in this system. As far as timings go, I CAN NOT find an exact answer on it anywhere, not even Kingston's website & Google. Primarily I get the best results using manual timings instead of SPD. I usually do 5-5-5-15 or 4-4-4-12 or 6-6-6-15 or experiment with different numbers.

What stumps me is why it can SOMETIMES work and not other times. I don't have any other computers to test these components in and I really don't want to buy any parts if I don't have to (I can't afford it anyway). Does anyone have any ideas on what I can try? 2gb just does NOT cut it since Windows 7 itself takes 1-1.5+ of that. Thank you in advance.


Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo
4gb Kingston KVR800D2N6/2G 1.8V
Cooler Master Extreme Power Plus 550w PSU
AMD Radeon HD 7570 video card
BIOSTAR G31-M7 TE mobo
Dual-boot Windows 7 64-bit and Vista 64-bit
 
Jaydip said:
Have you run memtest with each individual modules?
Click to expand...

I have not yet, but I will tomorrow when I have enough free time to dedicate to the tests (I have work to do on this computer). I'd be willing to try other things before then though aswell.
 
Most likely the motherboard is damaged too when your OEM power supply burn out.
Another thing is that the new power supply might have problem.
The best way to troubleshoot this is to swap parts.
 
paul878 said:
Most likely the motherboard is damaged too when your OEM power supply burn out.
Another thing is that the new power supply might have problem.
The best way to troubleshoot this is to swap parts.
Click to expand...

Yeah I hadn't thought of the psu damaging the mobo, but unfortunately the only other computer I have is from about 2002 or so that only supports 1gb ram max, and everyone I know only has laptops :/ I could maybe swap PSUs (I think mono would be impossible) with that but where do I go from there given old and/or incompatible hardware?

What bothers me though, is that it can -sometimes- work and not other times so no matter what I do I'm still always unsure what the underlying issue is
 
Steltek said:
Does it do this no matter which single module is installed?
Click to expand...

No matter what single module I have installed, either of the two sticks in either two slots (A1 or B1) the system works perfectly. As soon as I add the second module, it has the mixed results I outlined in my first post.

Basically as long as they are together I have these problems.
 
Another thing I just noticed, is that CPU-Z is showing my RAM to be running as 400mhz when it is rated at 800. Is that an issue or is it only with the two sticks together which would EQUAL 800? I'm a bit confused :/

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2yybd36&s=5#.UnUo6fnrwsQ

(This is from the computer in question, just running it with 1 stick right now)
 
Last edited:
I hate to say it, but my gut feeling from your description is that the motherboard suffered some form of surge-damage when the power supply failed and is probably in the process of dying. It may keep working as it does now indefinitely, or it may just eventually stop booting up at all.

You might find a similar replacement board (though pickings will be slim) that will allow you to reuse your CPU and memory modules.
 
Steltek said:
I hate to say it, but my gut feeling from your description is that the motherboard suffered some form of surge-damage when the power supply failed and is probably in the process of dying. It may keep working as it does now indefinitely, or it may just eventually stop booting up at all.

You might find a similar replacement board (though pickings will be slim) that will allow you to reuse your CPU and memory modules.
Click to expand...
I Agree with Steltek.That old psu dint only take your gpu.but also the Motherboard
 
Ouch, yeah it's gonna be tricky to find a replacement mobo but I guess it'll be cheaper than a whole new computer (which would be nice but I'm broke ATM).

Thank you all for your replies
 
Superbiiz and Newegg each had a new LGA775 DDR2 motherboard in stock last time I had to buy one to fix a system (about 3 weeks ago). If you don't mind taking a chance on refurbed to save some money, check out eBay (you might find a like new Intel BLKDB43LD or something similar since Intel dumped their motherboard business and sold off their inventory stocks).
 
Steltek said:
Superbiiz and Newegg each had a new LGA775 DDR2 motherboard in stock last time I had to buy one to fix a system (about 3 weeks ago). If you don't mind taking a chance on refurbed to save some money, check out eBay (you might find a like new Intel BLKDB43LD or something similar since Intel dumped their motherboard business and sold off their inventory stocks).
Click to expand...

I'll definitely check that out, thanks.
 
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