Have 2 ram sticks but can only use one!

[musicrequinto]

Hi, I a building a computer and am using
(eVGA 131-K8-NF44-AX Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard) I am also using
(GeIL Value 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel System Memory)
My problem is that I am unable to use both memory modules at the same time. I have tried in slot 1&3, 2&4 but the system only beeps once and then gain over and over again. The only way I can boot the system is by using one of the sticks. I have tried both (one at a time) and they both work. So what might be the problem?
Thanks,

[ski]

Did you try slots 1 & 2?

[musicrequinto]

1&2 and 3&4 will not boot we should all know that. and i did try it anyways

[TopChip7]

strange cus my dual channel board manual states to use 1 & 2 and 3 & 4
have u got enough power going to the ram?

[ski]

1&2 and 3&4 will not boot we should all know that. and i did try it anyways
MB's that have 4 RAM slots and are designed with dual RAM architecture, normally require slots 1 & 2 to be populated if only 2 RAM modules are being installed.

[musicrequinto]

with evga's mb, they are color coded and the most manuals say that 1&2 and 3&4 will not boot. The colors are yellow, blue, yellow, blue. In order for dual channel to work 1&3 or 2&4 should be installed.

[ski]

Go into BIOS, and make sure that default RAM settings are being used.

[azzey]

Just a thought, but...
CMOS battery?

[musicrequinto]

default settings are being used, yes. and no not the battery if it was the battery the pc would not boot.

[azzey]

and no not the battery if it was the battery the pc would not boot. A dead or dying CMOS battery can, basically, be the culprit of lots of computer problems. I've seen everything from thermal sensors gone haywire, to PCI cards stop working, to the computer thinking that it's an alien spaceship! If the CMOS is corrupt because the a dead battery, that could prevent the BIOS from retaining the correct settings, thus not allowing you to boot in dual channel mode.

Replacing a CMOS battery is easy, cheap (under $5 usually), and has solved more problems than I can even remember. That's why it is often suggested as a solution here on the forums.

Even if the battery isn't the culprit, it's never bad to change it. Often the batteries used in new motherboards have been sitting on a shelf somewhere for years. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them are 10+ years old! My policy is to always replace the CMOS battery before booting a new build.

[jlreich]

if it was the battery the pc would not boot.
The battery is not needed to boot the system. Heck you could totally remove the battery and the system would still boot. You just wouldn't be able to retain any custom settings. :) But I too have seen many strange problems caused by a failing CMOS battery giving just enough juice to screw things up. It's always worth a shot to replace it for a such a small price. ;)

[musicrequinto]

Ok I will try the battery, any more suggestions? Thanks

[ski]

If a new battery does not fix things, then do a barebones by installing just the PS, MB, CPU, RAM, video card, monitor, and KB.
If both RAM modules now work together, then it's possible that the PS is undersized.

If a barebones does not help, then check your MB's site for an updated BIOS.

If that does not help or your current BIOS is the latest version, then reduce the RAM's bus speed a notch.

[musicrequinto]

what does undersized mean? i have a 550w Ultra x-connect 2 ps.

[saphalline]

1&2 and 3&4 will not boot we should all know that.Most mobo's have problems with just the last DIMM's being populated, and your mobo specifically states in the manual against populating only slots 3 and 4. But you should have no trouble populating slots 1 and 2 - it's just that dual-channel won't be enabled.

If you're having problems with slots 1 and 2, slots 1 and 3, and slots 2 and 4, then I'd say the cause is obvious. Your RAM isn't fully compatible with your mobo.

GeIL is known for performance and OC'ing, not compatibility. If you want it to "just work", then you'll have to go with Corsair or Kingston or Crucial.

[musicrequinto]

i'll try the battery and then a change of ram, thanks.

[musicrequinto]

Ok battery was changed, and voltage checked, but nothing. I do think it is a compatibility problem. But why will one stick work and not two? I did try barebone, but still nothing. Slots 1&2 don’t work. It is all the same. I will try and save up some money and buy other ram sticks. Well at least I know that the system works and I am able to play star wars battlefront 2 on it, way better than my laptop.

[Puter Padowan]

Hey Musicrequinto

I'm sure you've tried this BUUUT just in case...

You mentioned that one stick works but not the other, right? What slot was the one stick working on? And did you try both sticks in that same slot? I'm just curious is all because I didn't see you mention that.

[musicrequinto]

Yes, I tried it. Many times.

[saphalline]

But why will one stick work and not two?That's the nature of incompatibilities. Random things happen. Who knows why they don't work together. But if it won't work, who cares why? All we really care about is replacing it with RAM that will work.

Can you return that RAM? Where did you buy it?

[musicrequinto]

Thanks to NewEgg, I will be able to buy another brand in the near future.

[musicrequinto]

Ok I bought corsair xms Ram sticks. Guess what! I still have same the problem. It probably is the MB.

[Paleo Pete]

Boot with one stick and check BIOS, (and read the manual concerning RAM settings). Look for a setting to enable dual channel, and I would try resetting CMOS defaults, just in case a etting of some sort was changed at some point that affects memory. The few dual channel capable boarrds I've dealt with have all handled dual channel automatically without tinkering in BIOS, but there is always that chance that some boards will have a dual channel option that must be used.

With two different brands of RAM producing the same problem, I would suspect a flaky motherboard too, but BIOS settings could also be at fault. See what BIOS default settings are available, and start with the most conservative. I've seen plenty boards that have a "Standard" default setting, then a "Performance" default, and sometimes also an "Optimum" default. Try each, starting with "Standard" then "Optimum".

[musicrequinto]

Ok I tried another motherboard but still I have the same problem. I have contacted evga online but after so many failing suggestions they told me to call them instead. Any new suggestions, from anyone, please? Thanks