Hey everybody, I haven't been around lately. My internet store is doing pretty well which keeps me hopping but mainly my computer just hasn't had any problems. I decided to upgrade memory and it's not working.

I just purchased a CT2KIT12864Z40B kit with two 1GB DDR PC3200 modules. I installed them on an MS-6728 865G Neo2-LS board. The computer won't boot, the motherboard won't even beep nor can I get to the BIOS settings. If I reinstall my two sticks of Crucial 256MB PC3200 in the same dual channel slots the computer starts up fine again. I flashed the BIOS to the latest version and increased the DDR voltage to 2.6 instead of 2.5 but no change. With the new 1GB sticks in there it will not boot. The fans come on and that's it, no beep - nothing. I purchased the memory from Newegg.

Is it likely the memory is bad or am I missing something?

Those are supposed to work. They are the exact ones Crucial's (http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=44B5F4A6A5CA7304&WSMD=MS%2D6728G+%28865G+Neo2%2DLS%29&WSPN=CT2KIT12864Z40B) site gives for your MOBO.

You can try resetting the CMOS, but if it still doesn't work, RMA the RAM. Newegg is good about their RMA's so you shouldn't have any problems. There's no other reason that RAM shouldn't work if Crucial recommends those very sticks.

How do I reset the CMOS and is there any danger to the system. What might resetting the CMOS do?

How do I reset the CMOS and is there any danger to the system. What might resetting the CMOS do?Oh man, we gotta type up another sticky for this one!

This thread (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40988), post # 11.

Sorry, I had already looked it up by the time you answered. I believe the BIOS settings were cleared to default when I flashed the BIOS. I did have to go in and reenable SATA etc.

Would clearing the CMOS with a jumper do something more than that?

I suggested it as a last resort. Reflashing the BIOS usually clears the CMOS (or rather the new BIOS options are incompatible with the old CMOS data) but I have seen BIOS updates that are so minor the old CMOS data still works as parameters for the new BIOS. In which case clearing the CMOS helps. But if your new BIOS is different enough, then yes it's already been cleared.

In that case, you've done all you can. Not much you can do with bad RAM. Send an RMA request to Newegg right away!

Thanks for the help!

One stick worked by itself, the other wouldn't. RMA'd kit to Newegg. Thanks for the advice guys.

Some others suggested upping the the voltage a little to the 2.75-2.85 range with the new memory. Any comments on this?

Stay within 10% of the stock voltages for any component. If it won't work with +10% voltage, it's not likely to ever be stable.

Thanks for the rule of thumb. It was an MSI tech I believe that suggested better overall system stability with DDR voltage in the 2.75-2.85 range. Since stock voltage on this Crucial memory is stated at 2.6 then even 2.85 should be within 10%. I think the original voltage on the board was set at 2.5 for DDR though. Would you then suggest not going over 2.75?

I was just wondering if you knew of any advantages/disadvantages in the increased voltage?

For transistors, higher voltages mean faster attainable speeds. But it also means more heat and less stability. If the RAM can take it, that's one thing. But if it can't, the system will crash.

2.5V is the approved standard voltage for DDR given by the JEDEC committee. But in DDR400 and faster range, voltages of 2.6-2.8V are quite common. Newer and faster DDR RAM chips can take this voltage just fine - in fact they're designed for it! Higher performance can often only be achieved in this voltage range for DDR, so I've seen a lot of mobo's with 2.6V as the default. RAM that is designed to use 2.6V will work at 2.5V but it may be unstable. (In the case of your RAM, I think it was just bad RAM because it wouldn't even boot!)

The 10% rule can be applied to any designed voltage for any component with relative safety. If the RAM you get is designed for 2.5V, then you should not exceed 2.75V without expecting to OC. If it's designed for 2.6V, then you can go up to 2.85V. Always go by the manufacturer of the component (in this case RAM) and supply that voltage up to +10% (through the mobo).

Messing with voltages can be tricky, however. It's a bad sign if, for instance, your RAM is designed for 2.5V but you can't boot your system at anything less than 2.8V. You have be able to look for the warning signs...

Got it.

Thanks for the info. I value stability the most as I run a business with my computer. I will likely just leave it in the 2.6 to 2.7 range when I get the new RAM.

Happy ending, it was just a bad stick. Got the new ones and it booted right up without a hitch.

Great to hear. Have fun!

Oh good. We like happy endings around here. :D

So was the bad stick punished? :eek: :p