PC reboots once after fresh boot + only uses half the RAM

[cisko116]

Good day!

Recently I've been setting up my old PC for my girlfriend to use, but I keep running into two problems:

1. After a fresh boot (occasionally after a reboot) the PC reboots itself once while the 'Loading operating system.." message appears for a split moment. Boots fine after said reboot.
2. PC states that 8GB RAM is installed but 4GB is usable.

What is interesting is that the random reboot only happens when computer boots without sounding the single POST beep. When it boots with the POST beep, it boots without rebooting itself.

Things I have already done:
- Reinstalled Windows
- Installed all updates
- Installed latest drivers
- Updated BIOS / undid any custom settings
- Ran MemTest, 1 pass without errors.

Setup:
MOBO - GA-P55A-UD3
CPU  - Intel i5 750
GPU - Radeon 6870HD (1GB)
RAM - 2x KVR1333D3N9K2/8G (2x4GB DDR3-1333MHz)
     - (are in dual channel slots, running single channel?)
HDD - WD2500AAKX
     - (Swapped SATA0>SATA1 port on MOBO because I broke the SATA0 port during setup - no       settings adjusted)
PSU - Huntkey HK600-53AP (600W)
OS  - Windows 8.1 Pro

Hit me up with anything useful - I've tried everything I could think of.
Thank you so much for the help and kindest regards.

 

[Bill_Bright]

You did not specify if 32-bit or 64-bit Windows.

Did you swap the RAM between slots?

 

[cisko116]

You did not specify if 32-bit or 64-bit Windows.

Did you swap the RAM between slots?

64bit Windows, excuse me.
I did that as well, no problems.

Now, I tried booting either stick in either slot to see if there were issues there.. DDR_1 did fine, DDR_3 (with either stick) gives me a long series of uninterrupted beeps before rebooting and start beeping again, putting itself in a cycle.
I'm taking from this that the DDR_3 slot is broken? Haven't seen this before.
If yes, what would be the best way to utilise the two sticks of ram with only 1 dual channel slot?

 

[Assimilator]

Sounds like the PC rebooting may be due to the dodgy RAM slot; try cleaning the slot with compressed air or alcohol. If it doesn't come right, you can use the other DIMM in any of the other slots - there will be some performance loss (due to the RAM running in single-channel mode) but it should at least work.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

64bit Windows, excuse me.
I did that as well, no problems.

Now, I tried booting either stick in either slot to see if there were issues there.. DDR_1 did fine, DDR_3 (with either stick) gives me a long series of uninterrupted beeps before rebooting and start beeping again, putting itself in a cycle.
I'm taking from this that the DDR_3 slot is broken? Haven't seen this before.
If yes, what would be the best way to utilise the two sticks of ram with only 1 dual channel slot?

get a can of compressed air and clean the problematic memory slot. inspect the slot carefully for debris or contact damage, there also might be some corrosion build up on the contacts. There could be build up on the memory sticks too so clean the contacts there too. If all that doesnt work you might want to pull out the motherboard and inspect things again.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Sounds like that PSU is trash. I with regards to memtest. Some people leave it running for hours. Even all night

 

[cisko116]

get a can of compressed air and clean the problematic memory slot. inspect the slot carefully for debris or contact damage, there also might be some corrosion build up on the contacts. There could be build up on the memory sticks too so clean the contacts there too. If all that doesnt work you might want to pull out the motherboard and inspect things again.

Sounds like the PC rebooting may be due to the dodgy RAM slot; try cleaning the slot with compressed air or alcohol. If it doesn't come right, you can use the other DIMM in any of the other slots - there will be some performance loss (due to the RAM running in single-channel mode) but it should at least work.

Cleaning it right now.

Sounds like that PSU is trash

Oh, it's most definitely a dodgy brand of PSU. Has been working properly all these years though!

Slot cleaned, still shows same symptoms.. I'm just assuming it's broken by now.

Sounds like the PC rebooting may be due to the dodgy RAM slot; try cleaning the slot with compressed air or alcohol. If it doesn't come right, you can use the other DIMM in any of the other slots - there will be some performance loss (due to the RAM running in single-channel mode) but it should at least work.

I've heard it's possible to use the other slots for DC as well, but then my MOBO manual states this.. (See attached file)
Is there a way to run these two sticks in DC without using slot DDR_3?

 

[jsfitz54]

MOBO - GA-P55A-UD3

Is that Revision 1 or 2?
Using slots 1 and 3 together?

- Updated BIOS / undid any custom settings

If Rev.2 then are you on Bios F11? https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-P55A-UD3-rev-20#support-dl-bios

• Driver(+16)
• BIOS(+4)
  • Version
    Size
    Date
    Download
    Description
    F11
    0.90 MB
    2010/08/12
    Asia China America Europe
    1. Enhanced memory compatibility

 

[cisko116]

Is that Revision 1 or 2?
Using slots 1 and 3 together?



If Rev.2 then are you on Bios F11? https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-P55A-UD3-rev-20#support-dl-bios

• Driver(+16)
• BIOS(+4)
  • Version
    Size
    Date
    Download
    Description
    F11
    0.90 MB
    2010/08/12
    Asia China America Europe
    1. Enhanced memory compatibility

Rev. 2, and yes as mentioned I upgraded the BIOS to the latest version, which is F11.
Yes, both slot 1 and 3 were being used.

 

[jsfitz54]

Rev. 2, and yes as mentioned I upgraded the BIOS to the latest version, which is F11.
Yes, both slot 1 and 3 were being used.

Just trying to clarify yours steps:
You reset to Default in Bios after flash to F11?
You ran memtest on each stick individually? Which slot used?

Slot cleaned, still shows same symptoms.. I'm just assuming it's broken by now.

Does this mean it was working prior to setting up for girlfriend?
When did it stop functioning? After a certain step?

 

[Deleted member 67555]

Huntkey PSU's aren't the best.... But they aren't bad either.
Just saying

 

[jsfitz54]

Huntkey PSU's aren't the best.... But they aren't bad either.
Just saying

I was thinking it could be this as I've encountered similar but am unsure about the ram.

It could be that a proper Bios reset needs to be done. By proper the clock needs resetting if it was cleared properly, so it will recognize all the ram.

He could also try slots 2 and 4 and see if it boots?

 

[Deleted member 67555]

I know.. Something has to be just off...
Is it winter where the OP is? Do you have dry air?
Did a chip get dislodged when moving stuff around?
Strange...
I have had my share of strange happenings too...
Sometimes it's just that time.

 

[cisko116]

Update: I found out that the only slot that will not cause this error to happen is slot #1 - Slot #2, #3 and #4 all produce this problem with either stick of RAM.
Video of what is happening: https://www.dropbox.com/s/rnpq5nohpt5jj12/MOV_0402.mp4?dl=0
Is this a setting that's causing mayhem? I can not imagine that 3 out of 4 slots are broken.

 

[jsfitz54]

I know.. Something has to be just off...
Is it winter where the OP is? Do you have dry air?
Did a chip get dislodged when moving stuff around?
Strange...
I have had my share of strange happenings too...
Sometimes it's just that time.

Bad/ old cmos battery not holding settings?

 

[cisko116]

Just trying to clarify yours steps:
You reset to Default in Bios after flash to F11?
You ran memtest on each stick individually? Which slot used?

Does this mean it was working prior to setting up for girlfriend?
When did it stop functioning? After a certain step?

Yes I did.
Yes I did, only slot #1 boots to start with - the other 3 produce the rapid beeping into reboot (see video above)
It never stopped functioning - I just noticed that it rebooted itself once after a clean boot and that half of detected RAM was usable.

 

[jsfitz54]

I would check battery (new fresh ones are 3.2v and they wear down especially if machine was stored in a closet for a while)
Do you have a digital multi meter on hand.
and I would try another PSU.

 

[cisko116]

I don't unfortunately..
Is it possible that bent pins on the CPU can cause only 1 out of 4 slots to work?
.. Im ashamed to say I did drop the CPU when assembling and did not check thoroughly if any pins were bent before seating.
If yes, can I just bend them back?

 

[jsfitz54]

I don't unfortunately..
Is it possible that bent pins on the CPU can cause only 1 out of 4 slots to work?
.. Im ashamed to say I did drop the CPU when assembling and did not check thoroughly if any pins were bent before seating.
If yes, can I just bend them back?

Yes that could be it, you will need a good magnifying glass and a needle to lift the pin(s) up. They are fragile.
Steady hands and a straight pin used head first, using the lip of the head to pull up the tip of the bent pin(s).

EDIT: You are aware of all the precautions you should take./?

 

[Totally]

So both sticks were tested in the same slot and were fine?

 

[cisko116]

Yes that could be it, you will need a good magnifying glass and a needle to lift the pin(s) up. They are fragile.
Steady hands and a straight pin used head first, using the lip of the head to pull up the tip of the bent pin(s).

While magnifying, use the head of a nail to pull the bent pins straight. Got it, I'll report back on this process tomorrow

So both sticks were tested in the same slot and were fine?

Yes that's correct. Computer would boot, spam a series of beeps and reboot when a (solo) stick was inserted in any of the other slots.

Yes that could be it, you will need a good magnifying glass and a needle to lift the pin(s) up. They are fragile.
Steady hands and a straight pin used head first, using the lip of the head to pull up the tip of the bent pin(s).

EDIT: You are aware of all the precautions you should take./?

Precautions as in grounding myself, disassembling without power etc?

 

[jsfitz54]

While magnifying, use the head of a nail to pull the bent pins straight. Got it, I'll report back on this process tomorrow

That sounds rather crude. This is a delicate process. The pins are not straight up but bent over at an angle. Look at the good ones for a guide.

 

[cisko116]

That sounds rather crude. This is a delicate process. The pins are not straight up but bent over at an angle. Look at the good ones for a guide.

I understand, but you posted a picture of a nail so figured you meant a nail like that hahaha.
I will take my time and let you know how it went.
Thanks so much for the help so far!

 

[jsfitz54]

I understand, but you posted a picture of a nail so figured you meant a nail like that hahaha.

Think sewing department.

 

[cisko116]

Think sewing department.

Ah, a needle! Slightly different tool/delicateness hahaha