Trying to get 2Gigs of Ram to work P4C800-E

Pluvious · Aug 12, 2005, 02:57 PM

Got a little problem that seems like a no brainer but I can't figure it out. I've been using the Corsair Ram in my sig for about 2 years now and decided to bump it up with another 2 512 sticks to make it 2gigs of 400mhz Ram. I bought the EXACT same ram from the same place and the only difference is the version numbers are different. (v1.4 vs 4.x) Odd thing is .. when I plug in each set into the blue slots, either run fine. But as soon as I try to use the other slots together I get a black screen on boot. No loading or hardrive activity.. just fans, and power.. black sceen. I even tried to use just 1 of the sticks to make 1.5 and it didn't work either.

Not sure why I would have to update my bios just to use the four slots together, so I havn't bothered with that flashing risk yet.

Am I missing something simple?? My friend just plugged in the second set and was up and running in under 5 mins.

ps.. I did find that the timings advertised and what they actually where on my rig differed. I have currently the 'newest' 2 sticks in and manually set the timings at 2.0 2-3-3-6 with no problems. (performance mode off though)

Here's the ram I got and the 5th 'review' that mentions the 'timings are incorrect' was mine.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145450

FearTheTerp · Aug 12, 2005, 03:06 PM

Well, I would check the bios updates for your mobo to see if they have fixed some problem with the DIMM slots. I know for my motherboard, there is an update to improve Dual-Channle stability but I cannot get my floppy drive to work correctly, so it's out of the question for me. I would try putting all 4 sticks in, then resetting the CMOS and see if it works together.

And I painfully learned, with the two sticks of ram that I have, same brand, just not twinx like yours, that it's hard to get them to work together in Dual channel if they are different revisions. Right now, to get it to work together in dual channel, I have to change the ram speed to 175 MHZ. You can go to www.houseofhelp.com and ask them about your ram problems. Sometimes, I think you can RMA the ram and ask them to send you two sticks of the same revision, but it's all about luck.

niceguyrichy · Aug 12, 2005, 03:15 PM

I always thought that it didn't make a difference so long as both sets of pairs were identical, but not necessarily matched pairs, if you see what I mean.
In other words you can have a pair of matched Corsair say, and a pair of matched Samsung, and it should still always work at dual channel for the 4 sticks together.

mike2h · Aug 12, 2005, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niceguyrichy

I always thought that it didn't make a difference so long as both sets of pairs were identical, but not necessarily matched pairs, if you see what I mean.
In other words you can have a pair of matched Corsair say, and a pair of matched Samsung, and it should still always work at dual channel for the 4 sticks together.

not true. companies use different chips, pcbs, etc. it might work, then again it might not. so why take the chance?

as far as the original post goes, fear the terp made very good points. asus also has compatibilty charts. you could also contact(dont waste your time with asus support) corsair, if their support is even 1/2 as good as ocz they should get you squared away.
just so i understand, did you try leaving your orig mem in their matched slots then put the new mem in the other pair of slots then set the timings by the slowest (highest #) pair of ram spd?

Pluvious · Aug 12, 2005, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearTheTerp

Well, I would check the bios updates for your mobo to see if they have fixed some problem with the DIMM slots. I know for my motherboard, there is an update to improve Dual-Channle stability but I cannot get my floppy drive to work correctly, so it's out of the question for me. Same here I'm afraid, I don't even have a floppy drive.

I would try putting all 4 sticks in, then resetting the CMOS and see if it works together. Will do.

And I painfully learned, with the two sticks of ram that I have, same brand, just not twinx like yours, that it's hard to get them to work together in Dual channel if they are different revisions. Bingo.. the revision is so different I went ahead and rebought another set ($126) so I would have the SAME revision this time.. kinda drastic I know. Right now, to get it to work together in dual channel, I have to change the ram speed to 175 MHZ. >snip<

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike2h

just so i understand, did you try leaving your orig mem in their matched slots then put the new mem in the other pair of slots then set the timings by the slowest (highest #) pair of ram spd?

Yes, this is the first thing I did. Left my 'old' ram v1.2 in the blue dual channel slots, then just put the new v4.x (i forget right now) in the black slots and booted up. Power on and fanage.. but no load nuthin.. no bios .. just black screen.
I then pulled out the new and old and put the new into the old blue slot. Booted up no problems. Put the old in the black slot booted.. hosed again.

I'm currently running great with the "new" 4.x version ram timed at 2.0 2-3-3-6.

Clearing the CMOS might do the trick and I know a quick way to clear it by just booting with no ram sticks in any slot. Reboot again with them back and there ya go. I'll try putting all 4 back in after I do this.

I'll update what happens.. thx for the help guys. Leave it to me to have to hassle even the most simplest of upgrades.. sigh.

mike2h · Aug 12, 2005, 06:07 PM

dont sweat it. i really beleive that a true 'simple upgrade' is a rare event

Pluvious · Aug 15, 2005, 01:59 PM

Got my second pair of moduals from Fedex today. Plugged them in and fired her up.. no problems! Guess my old set didn't want to play nice with the latest version or something. Very weird. Now I have an extra 1gig laying around.. but at least my 2gigs is up and running fine now. Back when I bought that Ram it was $208 and being $126 per gig now, I think I did okay.

niceguyrichy · Aug 15, 2005, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pluvious

Got my second pair of moduals from Fedex today. Plugged them in and fired her up.. no problems! Guess my old set didn't want to play nice with the latest version or something. Very weird. Now I have an extra 1gig laying around.. but at least my 2gigs is up and running fine now. Back when I bought that Ram it was $208 and being $126 per gig now, I think I did okay.

So is it exactly the same make/batch as the first pair of sticks????

Pluvious · Aug 15, 2005, 02:38 PM

No.. the "old" set was v1.2 and the newest is 4.x and 5.1. So they are different but not 2 years old. I still have the old v1.2 set that would work fine for someone who just wants 1gig total.

niceguyrichy · Aug 15, 2005, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pluvious

No.. the "old" set was v1.2 and the newest is 4.x and 5.1. So they are different but not 2 years old. I still have the old v1.2 set that would work fine for someone who just wants 1gig total.

'scuse my ignorance, but does that mean that you have 2 entirely different pairs of RAM sticks that's all working at dual channel together?

Pluvious · Aug 15, 2005, 04:47 PM