LGA 775 motherboard fails to start with dual-channel RAM installation.
LGA 775 motherboard fails to start with dual-channel RAM installation.
Motherboard: M.II P43 Neo RAM: 2GB x 2 DDR2 CPU cooler: Deepcool Ice Edge 200 The connectors function properly; they usually boot with single-channel RAM, tested with both sticks in single channel and all slots. Dual channel setups caused boot loops consistently. RAM sticks perform well in dual channels on other boards. I examined the socket with a flashlight and found no bent pins—may revisit later. Also tried using an air duster to clean the surface and socket. Anyone know what might be causing this issue? I really don’t want to end up using only 2GB of RAM.
Maestro ddr2 2gb pc-6400
The other one is shown in the picture.
The second unit is a Kingston KVR800D2N6/2G. It's hard to give much advice here. Just because it functions in dual-channel with one board doesn't guarantee the same result with another, since these parts don't match up. You'll notice the chipsets are quite different in dimensions. You might be able to adjust the timings yourself in the BIOS and install the second DIMM, but I recommend against it unless you're really familiar with memory timing. The safest option is to get rid of the Maestro DIMM and look for another KVR800D2n6/2G.
It makes sense that motherboards can be quite selective. Are you wondering if this issue points to a bigger problem? You mentioned buying a motherboard with an Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 chipset for $4, and the seller warned it was faulty. So far, you haven't experienced that problem, but this is your only current concern. You're planning to replace the RAM with another stick from Kingston, which seems like a reasonable move since the cost of the RAM might be higher than the motherboard.
Checked the listing, would this RAM fit? It matches the price around Rp 14.500 for a similar model. Also, are there 4GB DDR2 slots available besides the server ECC RAM? The manufacturer says up to 16GB is possible with four slots, so it might be worth testing if the price fits your budget.
The device seems promising, though locating verified options for the P43 chipset is costly. It might not be worth the effort.