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ASRock Z77 Extreme4 - RAM slot doesn't work with n |
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Vlajko Kokorajko 
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 Topic: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 - RAM slot doesn't work with nPosted: 21 Oct 2017 at 7:53pm |
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Short info I've purchased 32GB of RAM as an upgrade on my previous 8GB. But the PC won't POST. None of the new memory sticks work in RAM slot 3 (I get 4 beeps along with the Error 55, but they do work in all other RAM slots). Paradoxally, the old memory DOES work in RAM slot 3. Details are below, any info would be very much appreciated, thank you. PC configuration Motherboard: ASROCK Z77 Extreme 4 CPU: i7 3770k @ 4.5GHz CPU cooler: CoolerMaster EVO 212 GPU: MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G Drives: A mix of 2 SSDs and several HDDs PSU: CoolerMaster SilentPro 650W RAM: (it's complicated...) HyperX Beast - KHX2400C11D3/4GX The 'old' RAM kit is Kingston HyperX Beast - https://www.kingston.com/dataSheets/KHX24C11T3K2_8X.pdf. It's a 2 x 4GB kit. It works in all 4 RAM slots (when paired in 1st and 3rd or 2nd and 4th). Either of the sticks work on their own in all 4 RAM slots. BIOS settings: HyperX Beast (11-13-13-30) @ 2400MHz (1.65V) - That's the default XMP-2400 profile with "Auto" settings on Voltage. HyperX Savage - HX324C11SRK2/16 The 'new' RAM is 2 x 16GB kits of Kingston HyperX Savage - https://www.kingston.com/datasheets/HX324C11SRk2_16.pdf. I've purchased 2 kits (4x8GB) and that's where problems start: 1. None of the 4 8GB sticks work in the 3rd RAM slot (gives me 4 beeps along with the Error 55) 2. On the flip side, all 4 sticks work in RAM slots 1,2 and 4. BIOS settings: HyperX Savage (11-13-14-32) @ 2400Mhz (1.65V) - Default XMP-2400 profile with "Auto" settings on Voltage HOWEVER 1. Both 4GB sticks of Kingston Beast work swimmingly in the suspect RAM slot 3. 2. Also, pairing up 2x4GB Beast and 2x8GB Savage (for a grand total of 24GB) also works, with Beast in RAM slots 1 & 3, and Savage in RAM slots 2 & 4). XMP-2400 profile works just fine. As far as I know 4 beeps indicates a faulty RAM slot on the motherboard and Error 55 indicates that the memory is not installed. But the RAM is installed and the slot isn't faulty, as the Beast RAM sticks work in the suspect RAM slot 3. Could it be the BIOS version? I have P2.90 which is the latest. There is a latest BETA version 2.90P that came out last month. If not the BIOS version, what else could it be? Thanks in advance |
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parsec
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Joined: 04 May 2015 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 4996 |
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Posted: 21 Oct 2017 at 10:10pm |
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You seem to be certain that all of the new memory all works fine. The four beeps and 55 POST code could be any problem with the memory, not necessarily a bad memory slot. I would suggest inspecting the third slot, empty of course, closely with a flashlight for signs of dirt or one or more contacts that may not be contacting the DIMM correctly.
With the new memory installed, did you clear the BIOS/CMOS before you tried starting the PC? That is an important step when installing any new memory. Also, you don't want to start the memory the first time with the XMP profile enabled. You want to make it easy for the memory to work initially. Also, the greater the capacity of memory being used, the more difficult it is for the memory controller (part of the CPU) to deal with it. 32GB is the max for this system. If you can get all 32GB to POST at the default speed of 1600, you may find it is not possible to run the memory at the XMP speed. Any speed over 1600 is a memory OC, and not guaranteed. If 2400 does not POST, try 1866, etc. If you get all 32GB to POST, you then might find that all the memory is not recognized in Windows. That is a common problem with larger amounts of memory. You might need to increase the DRAM voltage with 32GB even at 1600, as well as increase the VCCSA voltage. Very difficult to know if the UEFI/BIOS version is the cause of the problem. All the latest updates such as 2.90P are not related to memory. Intermittent or sporadic problems like this are the worst to diagnose. In this case with the third memory slot working sometimes and not other times, makes it more confusing. |
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Vlajko Kokorajko
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Posted: 21 Oct 2017 at 11:10pm |
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Yes sir, I'm 100% positive that all 6 sticks in question work fine. The two Beast sticks work in all 4 memory slots, both when paired and/or when I plug in a single stick. The four Savage sticks work in slots 1,2 and 4, but not slot 3.
I didn't clear the BIOS/CMOS. Should I do it via BIOS by loading defaults or by removing the battery and short the jumper (not sure if Z77 Extreme4 has one)? Doesn't the XMP setting reset on its' own when new memory is plugged in? It seemed to be the case in this situation, as when I swapped memory around and went into BIOS, the XMP always reset back to Auto. Nevertheless, resetting BIOS should 'fix' any possible problem regarding XMP. Yes, the working/not working 3rd slot is terribly confusing indeed. I will try to carefully inspect the 3rd slot, clear the BIOS (from within BIOS or by pulling out the battery?)
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Vlajko Kokorajko
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Posted: 03 Nov 2017 at 7:27am |
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Problem solved! First off, thank you for trying to help. It's much appreaciated! Just posting back to report what the issue was, maybe it'll help someone in the future. In short, it was the seating issue. Namely, Savage sticks couldn't "reach" the pins in RAM slot 3, while the Beast sticks could. After trying everything else, I simply jammed my finger behind the motherboard so that it doesn't bend and then I evenly pressed the Savage stick across its' entire length in RAM slot 3. And it works, 32GB @ 2400mhz. Here's why: Savage's plastic/chip protrudes out of its' mask a good 1 - 2 mm less than Beast. Below, in the picture "Beast over Savage" you can clearly see that when a Beast stick is placed over a Savage stick, its' plastic/chip easily reaches the Savage's red coating. But when a Savage stick is placed over a Beast stick, its' plastic cannot reach the Beast's black coating. Beast over Savage:  Savage over Beast:  My final concern/question: Concern: When I apply slight pressure on the motherboard around the area where the RAM slots are, the PC reports the error 55 again. I did this just as a test to see if it might happen that the RAM stick lose contact with the RAM slot pins while I normally work on the PC. Question: Since 'losing' contact with the RAM slot pins is equal to me pulling out the RAM stick while the PC is operational, could this cause any hardware damage?
Edited by Vlajko Kokorajko - 03 Nov 2017 at 8:11am |
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parsec
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Posted: 03 Nov 2017 at 12:21pm |
Yet another reason to not mix different models of memory. IF the tops of the heat spreaders on those two models of memory were evenly level when fully inserted in the DIMM slots, that would be pure chance and coincidence. You should insert the DIMMs that need to be seated deeper first, then the others. PLEASE don't bend the board until the DIMM doesn't make contact!!!!  I'm cringing just at the thought of that!!  You will break the board or short the contacts on the underside of the board!!!About your final concern, I would NEVER suggest removing or inserting a DIMM into/from a slot while the PC is powered up. Or doing anything that causes ANY component to momentarily disconnect any of its contacts from its connections. That is just basic DIY PC building. Wait... did you say it might happen when you "... normally work on the PC"? Meaning you work on the PC with it running? Or even with it shutdown but the PSU on and connected to AC power? IF you do that, you are asking for trouble! |
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Vlajko Kokorajko
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Posted: 03 Nov 2017 at 1:28pm |
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Ok few things:
1. My intention was not to mix different models of memory, as stated in my 1st post. Unable to use 4x8GB Savage sticks, as they can't reach pins in RAM slot 3, I resorted to my old 2x4 Beast kit + 2x8 Savage kit and ran 24GB until I finished my project. They ran flawlessly together @ 2400mhz, tested, no problems. 2. After I could get around to trying to 'fix' the issue and plug in all 32GB, I did in fact, first insert the one that needs to be seated deeper, and the error 55 appeared regardless when turning ON the PC, it wouldn't post. Can't reach the pins. 3. I've checked every singly pin in the RAM slots under intense light and magnifying glass, cleaned it, etc. The pins are all fine, nothing bent. The RAM stick just won't reach it. 4. I didn't jam my finger behind the motherboard for the entire lenght of my finger, just the finger tip, like 0.5cm. No electronics were touched. Furthermore PSU was off, got rid of any static as well. 5. I didn't "bend" the motherboard, I simply prevented from bending backwards while I plug in the RAM sticks by placing the tip of my finger behind it. I don't put my entire back into plugging in PC components, but the motherboard DOES bend backwards when plugging in RAM sticks. I've never before had to prevent any MB from slightly bending, but there's a first time for everything. 6. I wasn't planning on removing a RAM stick while the PC is operational. Perhaps I didn't phrase the question/concern properly. My question was, since the RAM stick in Slot 3 maybe just barely reaches the pins, could it be damaging if it lost contact with the pins while the PC is operational? PS - I've literally taken every precaution needed, no need to cringe friend
 Edited by Vlajko Kokorajko - 03 Nov 2017 at 1:40pm |
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Vlajko Kokorajko wrote: