Issue with RAM Upgrade: Beep Patterns and Unreliable Identification After Installation
Issue with RAM Upgrade: Beep Patterns and Unreliable Identification After Installation
Hello everyone,
I'm hoping to get some advice regarding a problem I've run into while trying to add more RAM to my PC.
Background:
My computer was running flawlessly with
2 identical DDR3-1600 / PC3-12800
RAM modules in a dual-channel configuration (as per the motherboard manual). I bought
two additional modules
with the exact same specifications to upgrade to 32GB.
The Problem:
I powered down the PC, used compressed air to clean out the dust, and installed the two new modules. Upon powering on, the system started emitting
beep codes (5 short beeps)
and then shuts down.
Troubleshooting Steps I've Tried:
Inconsistent Recognition:
After several attempts, the BIOS occasionally recognized only 16GB, but when I tried to add the other sticks, the beeps returned.
Reseating & Swapping:
I've swapped the modules into different slots. At one point, it recognized them in a specific configuration, but that stopped working later.
Initial position
https://imgur.com/tRsimUA
View: https://imgur.com/tRsimUA
Changed position work
https://imgur.com/a/DwMqPdJ
View: https://imgur.com/a/DwMqPdJ#xZGBEnE
Another position work
https://imgur.com/3Arp2JE
View: https://imgur.com/3Arp2JE
Memory RAM
https://imgur.com/zvFYv3q
View: https://imgur.com/zvFYv3q
Individual Testing:
I tested each module (old and new)
one at a time
in the primary slot. Every single one of them worked fine on its own, which makes me think none are dead on arrival.
BIOS Reset:
I cleared the CMOS by removing the battery to reset the BIOS settings to default. Unfortunately, this did not resolve the issue.
My Questions:
Could this be a compatibility issue, even though the modules are supposedly identical?
Is it possible my power supply can't handle the increased load?
Are there specific BIOS settings I should adjust, like increasing the DRAM voltage or loosening timings?
Has anyone experienced something similar? I would greatly appreciate any alternative solutions or things I might have missed.
Thank you in advance for your help
Yes, compatibility problems could be the cause. Yes, your power supply might be the issue. Yes, you may need to tweak DRAM voltage, speed, or timings when comparing four DIMMs versus two. First, provide complete hardware details: motherboard model, CPU model, memory module numbers, exact power supply model, service duration, graphics card specs, drive types, and current BIOS version.
Yes sir, here is the information you requested.
The exact motherboard model is GIGABYTE B150M-DS3H DDR3-CF.
The CPU model matches Intel Core i5-6400.
All memory modules are HX316C10F/8 from Kingston, specifically the HyperX FURY Memory Blue - 8GB module with DDR3 1600MT/s CL10 DIMM.
The power supply is an ATX MX - 400W Micronics unit, expected to be in service for approximately 8 years.
The graphics card is a Nvidia Geforce 210.
There is one WD Green 1000GB SSD drive.
The current BIOS version is F4.
What is the real model number of that 400w Micronics PSU? It should appear clearly on the label of the unit. Are there any specific details about the motherboard, such as whether it mentions DDR3-CF or just DDR3, since I’m trying to identify if it’s an OEM version used by system builders? I prefer not to suggest a BIOS update right now and want it to match the board accurately. Do you know the exact model and manufacturer of the prebuilt system this board belongs to?
Hello there
Here is the link to the motherboard from Gigabyte: https://www.gigabyte.com/pe/Motherboard/...v-10/sp#sp
And this is the photo about the power supply: https://imgur.com/RZ4W4Q4
See: https://imgur.com/RZ4W4Q4
So, that's a door stop. Straight up. Even if that wasn't really likely to be your problem I'd still HIGHLY recommend you get it out of your machine and get a decent power supply in it's place before it causes serious problems of one sort or an other. Not least of which might be damage to the rest of your hardware. Seriously, that's a very, very poor quality power supply.
And, that's NOT the same motherboard, so that could part of your problem as well if you're using drivers for the board in the link you provided, or BIOS updates for that model. Your model is a similar but not exactly the same model sold to OEM prebuilt system manufacturers for use in their prebuilt systems and it's not going to be entirely the same as the model without the CF on the end. The only way to get motherboard specific drivers and BIOS updates is to know which manufacturer of prebuilt systems used that board model and find prebuilt systems that had that model in them, and then look to the drivers and BIOS updates on that manufacturers support pages. Is your system a prebuilt system or did somebody slap a custom system together using that board after it was taken out of another system?
As for power supplies, don't just go buying anything that looks good or just because it's a brand name you know. All companies that make power supplies have both good and bad models, so you need to know which models are worth looking at and which models are not.
Hello there,
The link I shared matches the exact motherboard model. The same name is visible on the board when I opened the case.
Here’s what I did:
I upgraded the BIOS to the latest version from the manufacturer's site. I took a chance and it worked (attached is an image of the new BIOS).
I tried again, but the same issue occurred:
5 beeps and the system shuts down when I insert a new memory module into an available slot.
The slots are functioning properly – that’s not the problem – because the old modules were originally in slots 1 and 3, while the new ones are now in slots 2 and 4.
I assumed the new modules were defective. After replacing one old module with a new one, it worked. So I concluded the new modules are functional and not faulty.
I’m actually writing this from the same computer right now.
However, I still can’t exceed 16GB. I considered removing the cooler, cleaning the CPU, and applying fresh thermal paste, since the memory controller is said to be there. But beyond that, I don’t have a clear explanation. My system should support two more modules and reach 32GB.
Thank you for your feedback.
Hi everyone,
I'm following up on my previous thread about issues getting four 8GB RAM modules to work for a total of 32GB. The problem persists: I get
5 beeps and an immediate shutdown
.
As a troubleshooting step, I tried
reducing the frequency from 1600MHz to 1333MHz
. I wanted to see if anyone can guide me on whether I'm doing this correctly, as my attempts haven't resolved the issue yet.
Here's the situation:
BIOS Version:
The last
Current Status:
The modules work fine in pairs (16GB), but not all four together (32GB).
I've included a main screenshot of my BIOS. There are sections for
"Advanced Frequency Settings"
and
"Memory Settings"
, with a summary on the right showing the total memory capacity and bus speed.
What I tried:
I went into Advanced Frequency Settings and changed the
multiplier to 13.33
. I believe this was correct because the change was reflected in the operating system, confirming the frequency dropped to 1333MHz. However, this
did not solve the problem
.
There are many other options in these menus, and I'm not entirely sure what each one does.
Does anyone have experience with these settings?
What other adjustments should I try?
Thanks in advance for any help!