The ASUS B250Pc fails to start when using new RAM.
The ASUS B250Pc fails to start when using new RAM.
Hey everyone, I'm reaching out for advice from the Linux forum community. My setup includes an i5-7600 CPU, Asus B250F motherboard, 8GB RAM (2x4GB DDR4 at 2400MHz), a Kingston HyperX ASUS Strix GTX 1060 GPU, a Corsair CS450W PSU, and about a month ago I bought two 4GB RAM sticks identical to mine. When I installed them, the PC didn't boot properly—showing an orange DRAM indicator. After moving the RAM to slot B2, it would boot with 12GB but after restarting it wouldn't work again. I tried swapping RAM between slots and even reset the CMOS, but nothing changed. Eventually, I returned the RAM to my friend who had it working fine. A few days later, I noticed that because I assembled the PC in 2017, I always used RAM sticks together (dual-channel disabled). I switched the second stick from A2 to B1 and initially saw an orange DRAM light, but then it changed to an orange LED. This happened in both slot B2 and when booting with just one stick on either B1 or B2. I'm really puzzled about what might be wrong with the motherboard or RAM and would appreciate any suggestions or solutions from anyone who's faced the same issue. Thanks in advance!
It seems the system functions in other slots but not in this particular one. I suspect the motherboard is faulty. I encountered the same problem with a Threadripper I assembled. MSI X399 Creation wouldn't boot when a RAM stick was placed in the third-from-right slot on the right bank, preventing quad-channel operation. Because I didn’t have a spare TR CPU, I took it to the store where it was identified as defective. A new one worked perfectly. Would you experience a POST or have access to the BIOS? If you can reach the BIOS, verify RAM slot usage and confirm detection.
It's unusual for me to interact much with the computer since I assembled it, which makes it hard to believe the board could be faulty. I can't even get to the BIOS while the RAM is installed in slots B1 or B2, only seeing the red/orange DRAM LEDs.
It might be your board or your CPU, as modern CPUs have memory controllers built in. Clearing the CMOS would likely resolve the issue.