GA-990FXA-D3 Won't boot with ram in dual channel

[Shnag]

Hi,

I recently had this problem.

Ended up taking my computer to the local repair guys who managed to get the computer to boot by taking one stick of ram out the B1 and one out of the B2 (one white and one blue socket). The computer now booted but the ram was not running in dual channel. They told me the B1 and B2 ram sockets were kaput on the ASRock Mobo.

I tried all the ram combinations on that mobo before i took it in and had no luck but they got it working so i believed them, about 2 days later i got a BSOD and the computer wouldn't boot again.

Ended up buying a Gigabyte 990FXA D3 Mobo.

Now i can get the computer to boot but only if i use the DDR3_4 and DDR3_2 sockets (one white and one blue) so no dual channel.

If i try using the DDR3_1 or DDR3_3 the computer wont post and i get 3 long beeps.

System specs are as follows

Gigabyte GA-990FXA-D3
AMD Phenom ii x 4 965 BE CPU
4 x 2 gig G.Skill DDR3-1600 F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ
HIS Radeon HD 6850
Antec TruePower 650W PSU
1 TB Samsung F3 HD
Windows 7

[- wardog -]

As I implied in that other thread, now I'm even more convinced.

Run MemTest86+(<-Link) on the memory. My guess is you're going to find one(or more) bad sticks.

[Rick Novlesky]

As I implied in that other thread, now I'm even more convinced.

Run MemTest86+(<-Link) on the memory. My guess is you're going to find one(or more) bad sticks.

Actually I purchased a Gigabyte board before and loaded the channels up with memory, it would only start with one channel loaded. After banging my head against the wall, I took the newly assembled rig back to the store where the lead tech explained that it just needed a BIOS update. 5 minutes later, my board was up and running. Something to try! :D

[- wardog -]

Shnag, what version of this board do you have? Version 1.0, v1.1, or v3? The version will be printed in the lower left corner, along the same edge as the mb's rear I/O ports.

Actually I purchased a Gigabyte board before and loaded the channels up with memory, it would only start with one channel loaded. After banging my head against the wall, I took the newly assembled rig back to the store where the lead tech explained that it just needed a BIOS update. 5 minutes later, my board was up and running. Something to try! :D

Considering the history behind these parts, the previous problems, and the now current problems, I can't nor wouldn't suggest the OP flash the BIOS himself. Not till it's stable anyways.

A 2700km ride in the trunk of his vehicle and now this same memory is also exhibiting somewhat the same bad behavior in this new Gigabyte board isn't promising. It could be many issues, but something is plainly amiss here. I'm focusing and or considering the common parts used with his old board and now the new one.

[Shnag]

Shnag, what version of this board do you have?

In the middle of memtest right now. I couldn't do it on my old board because it wouldn't post at all. So far 2 sticks of ram have passed, testing the last 2 now.

Mobo is V 1.1

[- wardog -]

I have a personal preference for letting MemTest run for 8-9 passes and have seen errors not occur until passes 7,8, and even 9.

What I see others post regularly is 2-3 passes.

These 4(?) sticks, I'm guessing they're from 2 kits of 2 sticks each. Were they running w/o issue before the road trip?

[Shnag]

Ran it twice for the first 2 sticks. Will run them overnight tonight.

The computer was working fine before its ride in the car.

The 4 sticks of ram came in 2 different sets, same make and model but made about a year apart.

[- wardog -]

Ran it twice for the first 2 sticks. Will run them overnight tonight.

And ...........?? How's things there?

[Shnag]

Sorry about the slow reply, i just became a dad .

Turns out that one of the bolts that connects the mobo to the case had come loose and was causing the ram issues. I tightened it and everything is working fine.

Got me thinking that maybe my ASRock mobo was working and it was just the loose bolt so i put it back in my computer and had the same problems.

Funny that the ASRock mobo and my Gigabyte mobo were having the same problems but a different cause.

[profJim]

Congratulations Dad
at least the most important thing went right!!

I always build and test my systems with the motherboard outside of the computer case.
When I'm ready to test the system, I put the motherboard on top of a cardboard box, beside the computer case, and connect wires and cables.

There are a number of things that can go wrong when the motherboard is mounted in the case, including motherboard standoff problems, I/O rear panel fitment or short circuits, misalignment with the case, add-in cards that don't seat properly and electrical wire connections or short circuits. One forum member's system wouldn't post because the front panel RESET switch was stuck in the closed position.

Don't ever put an anti-static bag under the motherboard when the board is powered because the outside of the bag is electrically conductive, and so is an anti-static mat.