Dual channel RAM can't boot

[fenurch]

I've rewritten this as the previous post was no longer valid.

My motherboard is ASUS P8Z77-V LX and after accidentally clicking on the OC Tuner option in BIOS, I couldn't boot because I was met with BSOD every single time, regardless of resetting the CMOS or any other action. Eventually I decided to try taking out a stick of RAM (I typically run dual 4GB but tried single channel) and somehow this allows me to boot with no problems. Every time I try putting the other stick back in the channel, the system BSOD's. I've ran Windows Memory Diagnostic on each of the sticks in Single Channel mode and it reports no errors.

What has gone wrong and how could I solve this?

 

[CJCerny]

You've already tried re-seating your RAM? How about setting the BIOS back to the default settings?

 

[kronic1]

you need to clear the cmos, its just trying to run a overclock thats 2 high, easyest way is to ether push your cmos reset button on the back i/o of your motherboard if it has one, or there will be a jumper or button on the motherboard it self , dont forget you will most likely have to re set boot order and mabey a few other things depending on your setup after you have reset your bios.

 

[kronic1]

check that your sata controller is set to ahci , if it is try setting it to ide , and see if that will get it to boot

 

[fenurch]

Okay, this is sorted. I did as follows:

Removed PSU cable.
Flicked PSU switch.
Took out one ram from my dual setup and put that aside.
Removed CMOS battery.
Set bios reset jumper as instructed by ASUS.
Wait 15 seconds.
Replace jumper to appropriate slots.
Put the battery back in.
Flick the switch and plug in PSU cable.

And for some reason it worked.

Thanks to everyone who tried to help.

 

[fenurch]

Alright, another update.
I've discovered the reason behind the boot issues. It was the RAM.
I have 2 Corsair 4GB sticks in my normal setup and that was fine until the OC tuner accident.
If I take 1 out, the PC runs fine. Any of the 2 sticks in any of the slots (there's 2 black, 2 blue) in a single config work just fine.
If I put both in any configuration, it crashes with BSOD.

Any ideas? Contact Corsair?

 

[eidairaman1]

Alright, another update.
I've discovered the reason behind the boot issues. It was the RAM.
I have 2 Corsair 4GB sticks in my normal setup and that was fine until the OC tuner accident.
If I take 1 out, the PC runs fine. Any of the 2 sticks in any of the slots (there's 2 black, 2 blue) in a single config work just fine.
If I put both in any configuration, it crashes with BSOD.

Any ideas? Contact Corsair?

Replace the ram, read the board manual to ensure you are putting ram in proper slots per priority

 

[eidairaman1]

I am and always have but problem persists.

Id say the ram is crap

 

[eidairaman1]

If they dont budge, Go Mushkin, Crucial, GSkill.

 

[Caring1]

Doesn't sound like Ram to me, if both sticks work individually.
Using one at a time, run a test on them using Windows Diagnostic Memory Tool:
To get to it, open Control Panel and then click on Administrative Tools. You can also open Control Panel and just type the word memory into the search box. You'll see a link to diagnose your computer's memory problems. It'll then ask you if you want to restart immediately or run the test the next time you reboot.

Or
use Memtest, which you should be able to download.

 

[SnakeDoctor]

check that your sata controller is set to ahci , if it is try setting it to ide , and see if that will get it to boot

+1

 

[fenurch]

I've updated the initial post and title to reflect the change in the situation.

 

[fenurch]

Have just updated BIOS and thought it might help but unfortunately it did not.

 

[sneekypeet]

Why are you double posting, and constantly removing your posts so that it looks as if others are double posting?
Sort of hard to get any help especially when you are constantly removing bits of information along the way.

 

[fenurch]

Why are you double posting, and constantly removing your posts so that it looks as if others are double posting?
Sort of hard to get any help especially when you are constantly removing bits of information along the way.

So that what I'm trying to get across is more clear since the problem has changed completely instead of creating a new thread.

 

[sneekypeet]

Creating a new thread and editing your posts are two completely different things.

 

[fenurch]

Creating a new thread and editing your posts are two completely different things.

If you prefer, we can close this and create another.

 

[sneekypeet]

If you prefer, we can close this and create another.

No I would prefer that you not double post, and you not keep deleting posts.

 

[jaggerwild]

PO,
Have you tried the stick you suspect is bad where the good stick is? And Visa-Versa? Make sure no bent pins in the CPU socket, when you do a CMOS clear can you unplug the power supply also....

 

[fenurch]

PO,
Have you tried the stick you suspect is bad where the good stick is? And Visa-Versa? Make sure no bent pins in the CPU socket, when you do a CMOS clear can you unplug the power supply also....

I've run the memory diagnosis tests on both and no errors on either. And yeah, I've tried all combinations of ram sticks and sockets in single channel and all worked the same. No bent pins on CPU either and I did unplug PSU when resetting CMOS. Thanks though

 

[jaggerwild]

I've run the memory diagnosis tests on both and no errors on either. And yeah, I've tried all combinations of ram sticks and sockets in single channel and all worked the same. No bent pins on CPU either and I did unplug PSU when resetting CMOS. Thanks though

Cool, So not sure on your board but should be a CMOS jumper and the cmos battery right? Remove the Battery(put the jumper on CLEAR CMOS position) and leave it for 14 hours(MAKE SURE THE BATTERY IS IN AND JUMPER IS BACK TO NORMAL)before powering it back up(did that on a P67 board, toasted it). Its a long shot........................

 

[95Viper]

First boot into the bios, how ever you can, check under the advance settings to see what your frequency is set to... if it is not correct... correct them.
Then, try both in the blue slots. If not, then switch to the black slots.

Have you done any work inside the case?

 

[fenurch]

Frequency is correct through XMP and I tried both blue and black slots. Regardless, I think I may know what was the problem. Bent pins on the CPU socket. When I changed my CPU fan (which is when this issue arose), I took it out to get all the old paste off and when putting it back, must've been careless and bent a pin or two. Noticed that again today and accidentally bent a whole bunch more beyond repair. Idiotic and simple mistake but have never dealt with bent pins and was very heavy handed. Ordered a new 1155 motherboard and realised how extremely rare they are these days, had to buy a used one from eBay since there was literally nothing else online.

TL;DR Bent pins on CPU socket and ordered new motherboard.

 

[jaggerwild]

I've run the memory diagnosis tests on both and no errors on either. And yeah, I've tried all combinations of ram sticks and sockets in single channel and all worked the same. No bent pins on CPU either and I did unplug PSU when resetting CMOS. Thanks though

You said no bent pins? Smmh what do I know.

 

[fenurch]

You said no bent pins? Smmh what do I know.

I'm not 100% that I bent them the first time but yeah, my fault.