Wont boot with 2 sticks of ram

[RollWave]

I have 1 stick of 512mb Corsair XMS that is working fine (i'm using that comp right now) but when I put in the second stick the computer doesnt do anything. The screen just sits black and nothing comes up. I've read the site and I believe that I use slots 2 and 4 for Dual Channel. Are there any settings I need to check or change?

 

[Zepper]

You may need to clear the CMOS (follow procedure in your mobo manual EXACTLY - usually requires you unplug the computer from the AC) when going from single to dual channel operation. Also check down in the RAM sockets with a flashlight and magnifying glass to be sure there is no debris, plastic flashings, etc. obstructing good contact.

.bh.

 

[RollWave]

how do I know if I need to do this?

 

[Zepper]

It's just a rule of thumb. Things acting strange - clear the CMOS... (And check the CMOS battery).

.bh.

"Either do it or do it not - there is no try." Yoda

 

[RollWave]

check the cmos battery for what?

 

[Zepper]

Proper voltage, duuuh...

.bh.

 

[RollWave]

what?! how?

 

[RollWave]

I moved the jumper to clear the cmos then put it back and then inserted the new ram. Still no boot.

 

[RollWave]

It wont even let me do anything...when I removed the stick it required me to go to the bios and change the CL to 2 from 2.5 to get it to boot.

 

[imported_whatever]

Have you tried each stick individually?

 

[RollWave]

yup both work fine alone.

 

[Yanagi]

Update the BIOS

EDIT: Ment update

 

[BFG10K]

You may need to reduce the memory speed and/or relax the timings with two sticks.

 

[jotch]

Not sure if you still have this problem but update the bios and the Dual Channel Memory will work fine - the bios that is initially on the mobo doesn't seem to like anything much. The update will fix all your problems.

 

[RollWave]

I updated bios but putting two sticks in results in not even seeing the BIOS screen. How can I adjust timings if I cant get to the BIOS?

EDIT: The computer just turns on and I hear the fans running. Thats it!

 

[jotch]

I guess you've tried them both together in a single channel - try getting in touch with ramguy - Corsair Ram Guy

 

[RollWave]

Sent him an email!

 

[RollWave]

bump in case someone on this forum has a solution

 

[RollWave]

tried bios 9.1 and it worked! FINALLY the A64 can become my main system and I can let go of the old P4C chip (and make it a HTPC/vid encoder)!

 

[RollWave]

God the bios had the HT set to 200...setting that to 1000 made ALL THE DIFF in the world!