PC fails to upload when two RAM modules are linked.
PC fails to upload when two RAM modules are linked.
I was working on fixing another issue (GPU crash under load, unrelated to this one) when I removed all components from the motherboard—RAM, CMOS battery, and GPU. I left it that way for a while before reassembling everything. After that, my PC wouldn’t start up at all (I’m not sure if that’s the correct term). When I tried leaving one RAM out, it booted normally and the fans ran at their usual speed. However, something strange happened: my motherboard has two RAM slots, and I have two identical sticks. If I connect one to the slot closest to the CPU (slot A), the system won’t start. But with the other slot (slot B), it does. Before any RAM checks, both slots were functioning properly. I suspect the problem might be linked to removing the CMOS battery, which reset the BIOS. This is really confusing!
PC specs: Motherboard: Gigabyte B250M-D2V CPU: Intel i5 7600k GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 1070 GAMING X 8G RAM: Corsair Vengeance DDR4 2133MHz 2x8GB PSU: Corsair CX550M OS: Windows 10 Pro 22H2 PC age: around 6 years.
I purchased everything secondhand from someone who was relocating abroad, and I’m certain it wasn’t a mining rig.
It has functioned well over the last six years, with two RAM modules connected. After taking apart my PC, it suddenly stopped working. It seems there might be some BIOS settings I need to adjust, though the user manual doesn’t cover this. My RAM appears fine because switching between slots A and B works without issues. The description suggests slot A could be damaged, but the timing feels off if it’s truly faulty. I haven’t changed the BIOS after acquiring the PC, which was six months ago—since it’s a used machine. Could it be that the BIOS was reset back to its original version after removing the CMOS battery?
The BIOS update doesn't affect battery removal steps; it could reset the system but keep the same version. If RAM struggles in dual versus single channel mode, it may indicate a faulty RAM module. Therefore, it's not just because one stick works alone—this suggests the RAM itself might be defective. You'll likely need to either update the BIOS, replace the board, or swap out the RAM.
It turns out I need to adjust a BIOS configuration for it to function properly. For future reference, if someone else encounters this issue, navigate to the "M.I.T" section and set the "Memory Boot Mode" to "Disable Fast Boot."