Q1900-ITX not working with two RAM modules

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Hi,
I've just purchased the Q1900-ITX motherboard, and I'm totally lost. The board simply won't accept two 8 GB RAM modules. I've tried several brands and kits with no luck. Everything is fine with one module in the A1 slot. With the second module the board won't boot.

I tried CLRCMOS with no luck. The board freezes immediately. By the way, the system is Windows 7 64bit, but that shouldn't matter here, since the OS is not even started. I purchased a second (brandnew) board. No luck, same problem. The RAM modules are kits of 2 from Kingston and GeIL. Shouldn't be a problem. I guess.

I'm really at my wits' end. Took me a ridiculously enoumous amount of time (and some money), and I can't see light at the end of the tunnel. The Asrock support don't have any ideas either. Any help would be very much appreciated.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
MKJ Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 25 Aug 2015 Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote MKJ Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Q1900-ITX not working with two RAM modules Posted: 25 Aug 2015 at 10:59pm
	Hi, I've just purchased the Q1900-ITX motherboard, and I'm totally lost. The board simply won't accept two 8 GB RAM modules. I've tried several brands and kits with no luck. Everything is fine with one module in the A1 slot. With the second module the board won't boot. I tried CLRCMOS with no luck. The board freezes immediately. By the way, the system is Windows 7 64bit, but that shouldn't matter here, since the OS is not even started. I purchased a second (brandnew) board. No luck, same problem. The RAM modules are kits of 2 from Kingston and GeIL. Shouldn't be a problem. I guess. I'm really at my wits' end. Took me a ridiculously enoumous amount of time (and some money), and I can't see light at the end of the tunnel. The Asrock support don't have any ideas either. Any help would be very much appreciated.

parsec Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 04 May 2015 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 4996	Post Options Post Reply Quote parsec Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Aug 2015 at 11:54pm
	The memory support list for this board is rather limited, with only four 8GB models listed. As usual with DDR3 memory, the memory controller in the CPU has specific specifications about the capacity and layout of the memory chips on a DIMM. If that is not matched the memory will not work or only one DIMM will work if two DIMMs exceed the specs. Given all the laptop PCs that use DDR3 SODIMMs, most of that type of memory may not match the memory controller specs of the J1900 CPU's memory controller. Please tell us the exact model number of the Kingston and Geil memory you are trying to use. Do you know what BIOS version you have in your board? If you start the PC with one DIMM you can get into the BIOS and the Main BIOS page will show the BIOS version. The latest BIOS updates include improved memory compatibility, so that might help you if you are using an earlier BIOS version.


MKJ Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 25 Aug 2015 Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote MKJ Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 2:36am
	Hi, thank you very much. The Bios version is the latest 1.4. No updates available. This was my first idea, too. I tried Kingston KVR16S11K2/16 (1600 MHz at 1.5 volts ) and GeIL GS316GB1333C9DC (1333 MHz at 1.5 volts). Both are not in the list of compatible modules (but a very similar Kingston module is). Are the specs really so tight that I have to use EXACTLY the RAM modules specified in the list? This is my first ITX board. So, that might be my mistake. But I've never had such problems with ANY ATX board I used.

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 24278	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 3:01am
	Given that the J1900 is an SOC you will find it more particular than a full fledged desktop board. You have to understand that literally everything is built into the CPU, Memory controller, iGPU, northbridge and southbridge chipsets, all crammed into a tiny TDP. Taking all this into account you can easily see how the platform is more restrictive than a desktop config that has so much more circuit board real estate and TDP to utilize. Personally I love these little SoC systems, I find it fascinating how much you can do with such a low power setup. I can even do some light gaming on my ASRock N3150M and if I slot my GTX 960 into it I can play every title my main rig can. Not bad for a 6 TDP SoC As to the memory problem, I would see if you can find a certified RAM kit to try. My N3150M had no problems running all my RAM kits for the review I wrote on it but it uses standard DDR3 and is significantly newer as a platform. Good luck Edited by Xaltar - 26 Aug 2015 at 3:02am

MKJ Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 25 Aug 2015 Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote MKJ Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 3:36am
	Thank you! I'll give it a try. I fully understand that these tiny boards might be more restrictive. Probably my mistake that I underestimated the whole thing. I'll keep you posted.

MKJ Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 25 Aug 2015 Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote MKJ Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Sep 2015 at 11:28pm
	You were spot on. At least I received a new RAM module that is equivalent to the other module AND in the compatibility list. No problems at all. Learned the lesson! Thank you for the input!