ASRock G31M-S R2.0: problems handling 8GB RAM as s

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   Hi all,

First of all, here are the specs of my config:
ASRock G31M-S R2.0
BIOS 2.10
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650
4GB RAM (2x2GB) PC2-6400
750 Watts PSU
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480
SATA 120GB SSD disk #1
SATA 2TB disk #2
IDE DVD-RW
Windows 7 Pro 64 bits

I was very happy with my config until I decided to upgrade the RAM from 4GB (2x2GB) to 8GB (2x4GB).

This mobo supports 8GB maximum as specified on ASRock website:
http://www.asrock.com/MB/Intel/G31M-S%20R2.0/index.asp

Within this document from the ASRock website, several references of DDR2 4GB modules compatible with ASRock G31M-S R2.0 mobo are listed:
http://www.asrock.com/mb/memory/G31M-S%20R2.0.pdf

As everybody knows, it is very difficult to find 4GB DDR2 modules, especially if you are hunting against a specific reference, but I was enough lucky to find and buy two modules totally new (sealed boxes) officially supported by my mobo:
(label on the boxes)
Kingston KVR800D2N6/4G 
4GB PC2-6400 CL6 240-Pin DIMM

Yes, you guessed right, it does not work...

Symptoms:
- boot with 1x4GB (module 4GB #1): does not work at all! (no beep, no POST, nothing...)
- boot with 1x4GB (module 4GB #2): does not work at all! (no beep, no POST, nothing...)
- boot with 2x4GB (both 4GB modules): does not work at all! (no beep, no POST, nothing...)
- boot with 1x2GB+1x4GB (module #1 or #2, same behaviour): 2048MB at POST display, and when I enter BIOS: 2GB module is recognized as 2048MB and 4GB module is recognized as 2MB!!!

When I start PC with 2GB+4GB modules:
- Windows 7 Pro 64 bits system recognizes only 2GB amount of RAM (4GB module is not used),
- CPU-Z (last version 1.73.0.x64) finds both 2GB and 4GB RAM modules (logs ok),
- memtest86+ (last version 5.0.1) finds both 2GB and 4GB RAM modules (all the tests run ok).

It seems to me the two 4GB modules are ok, but the BIOS cannot handle them properly.
Is there any beta BIOS handling 4GB modules as specified by official specs of the mobo?
Does anybody have any idea about what I missed?

Thanks,

Vince

Edited by Vince - 13 Sep 2015 at 12:02am

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Vince Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 12 Sep 2015 Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vince Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: ASRock G31M-S R2.0: problems handling 8GB RAM as s Posted: 12 Sep 2015 at 11:39pm
	Hi all, First of all, here are the specs of my config: ASRock G31M-S R2.0 BIOS 2.10 Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 4GB RAM (2x2GB) PC2-6400 750 Watts PSU NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480 SATA 120GB SSD disk #1 SATA 2TB disk #2 IDE DVD-RW Windows 7 Pro 64 bits I was very happy with my config until I decided to upgrade the RAM from 4GB (2x2GB) to 8GB (2x4GB). This mobo supports 8GB maximum as specified on ASRock website: http://www.asrock.com/MB/Intel/G31M-S%20R2.0/index.asp Within this document from the ASRock website, several references of DDR2 4GB modules compatible with ASRock G31M-S R2.0 mobo are listed: http://www.asrock.com/mb/memory/G31M-S%20R2.0.pdf As everybody knows, it is very difficult to find 4GB DDR2 modules, especially if you are hunting against a specific reference, but I was enough lucky to find and buy two modules totally new (sealed boxes) officially supported by my mobo: (label on the boxes) Kingston KVR800D2N6/4G 4GB PC2-6400 CL6 240-Pin DIMM Yes, you guessed right, it does not work... Symptoms: - boot with 1x4GB (module 4GB #1): does not work at all! (no beep, no POST, nothing...) - boot with 1x4GB (module 4GB #2): does not work at all! (no beep, no POST, nothing...) - boot with 2x4GB (both 4GB modules): does not work at all! (no beep, no POST, nothing...) - boot with 1x2GB+1x4GB (module #1 or #2, same behaviour): 2048MB at POST display, and when I enter BIOS: 2GB module is recognized as 2048MB and 4GB module is recognized as 2MB!!! When I start PC with 2GB+4GB modules: - Windows 7 Pro 64 bits system recognizes only 2GB amount of RAM (4GB module is not used), - CPU-Z (last version 1.73.0.x64) finds both 2GB and 4GB RAM modules (logs ok), - memtest86+ (last version 5.0.1) finds both 2GB and 4GB RAM modules (all the tests run ok). It seems to me the two 4GB modules are ok, but the BIOS cannot handle them properly. Is there any beta BIOS handling 4GB modules as specified by official specs of the mobo? Does anybody have any idea about what I missed? Thanks, Vince Edited by Vince - 13 Sep 2015 at 12:02am

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 24353	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Sep 2015 at 12:24am
	Have you tried installing the RAM, both modules and then clearing CMOS? It is always advisable to clear CMOS when installing new RAM. I assume you have already updated to the latest BIOS available for your board? If that does not work then take a look in your BIOS under RAM voltage (using your 2gb sticks that boot) and set the voltage manually to 1.8v as per the specifications of your 8gb kit then shut down the system and try the 8gb kit again. Good luck

Vince Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 12 Sep 2015 Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vince Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Sep 2015 at 2:34am
	I just try what you advised... - CMOS: failed - manual 1.8V settings: failed Hu. I'm really unlucky...

Vince Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 12 Sep 2015 Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Vince Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Sep 2015 at 2:35am
	(and yes, the BIOS is last version)