gigabyte mb won't post with 2x4gb (f2-6400cl6d-8gbmq)

[jdefelice]

This memory is a 2x4gb kit (so 8gb total). The motherboard (MB) will POST only if I have 1 of these sticks plugged into DIMM1 (there are two slots on the MB). I've tested with each stick independently (so each one plugged into DIMM1) and memtest seems to run ok. When I plug both sticks in at the same time (DIMM1, DIMM2) the MB will not POST. I tried plugging in each stick, one at a time, into DIMM2 and the MB will not POST. So, only when 1 stick is plugged into DIMM1 will things work.

With both sticks plugged in, I've tried increasing the CPU voltage (up to 1.4v) as well as the DIMM voltage (just over 2.0v). I've lowered the clock speed (800 --> 677 --> 533 --> 400), and tried adjusting the timings to the most tolerant (slowest) settings. Still does not work.

In all cases that the MB fails to POST, I observe the following: 3 long beeps, followed by a period of silence wherein the HDD light blinks (quick, quick, pause, quick). The beep/flash cycle repeats endlessly.

This is the second set of gskill ram I've tried with this board. The first two sticks I tried were also 4gb each, but they were not bundled as a kit (otherwise, they were supposed to have the same timings as the kit version I describe above). They also worked independently in DIMM1, but had the same problem when boh were plugged in at the same time.

Specifications follow:
--
motherboard specification:
GA-M68M-S2P, rev 2.3, bios FC

cpu specification:
AMD X2 5600+ (2900MHz)

memory:
f2-6400cl6d-8gbmq

other components:
Rosewill rc-211 (sata ii 2port) pcie adapter (latest IDE bios)
4x2.5 samsung spinpoint 600gb
1xAsus DVD writer (SATA)
1xOCZ-Agility (2.5 flash SATA drive)
ARK (KY-ATX450) 450W power supply
--

Please assist.
-James

[jdefelice]

additional information

I purchased the motherboard,case,psu,cpu as a barebones kit. I contacted them with the same description of the problem. Here's what they had to say:

--
If your DDR2 modules are made with chip stack technology (canopy) or quad rank DRAM or with 32 DRAM chips, the issue may relate to the chipset's ability to see the module when two slots are populated. The correct type of 4GB parts would be made dual rank, with qty 16 512x8 DRAM chips and an JEDEC standard EEprom setting. We have had a harder time finding this type of DDR2 4GB memory recently, since most 512x8 production has shifted to DDR3.

There may actually be something wrong with the board, but this would be less likely. Visually the coirrect type of memory should be approx 1" tall with 8 black chips per side - showing either micron, samsung, qimonda or hynix brand chips. Memory with a heatspreader hiding the chips may be masking another less expensive manufacturing type. We sell the the correct type of 4GB DDR2-800 memory for $139.00 per 4GB module.
--

[Tradesman]

Not positive of the specs on these chips (GSkill should be around Monday), but it may in part be the CPU can't power them (the Memory Controller (MC) is in the CPU and to run 8GB, it may well take a healthy OC and additional voltage

[GSKILL TECH]

Do you have other memory to confirm slot 2 is working properly?

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[jdefelice]

other memory

I have another stick of RAM for testing, it has different timing and size characteristics:

stick3 : rendition 2gb ddr2 240 256mx64 pc2-6400unbuff
(sticker says : 2GB 2RX8 PC2-6400U-666-13-E0)

Scenarios follow:

(a) stick3 in DIMM1, DIMM2 empty - motherboard POSTs
(b) gskill in DIMM1, stick3 in DIMM2 - motherboard POSTs, only has 4gb ram (the gskill)
(c) DIMM1 empty, stick3 in DIMM2 - motherboard fails to POST, same beep/flash codes
(d) stick3 in DIMM1, gskill in DIMM2 - motherboard fails to POST, same beep/flash codes

I've had motherboards in the past that were picky about DIMM slots being populated in a certain order. Not sure if that applies here -- the MB manual does not specify an order.

[GSKILL TECH]

Slot 2 is busted to me.. did you try G.Skill only in Slot 2?

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[jdefelice]

yes, I did try each stick in DIMM2 -- same beep/flash cycle, MB does not POST (as described in initial thread post).

sounds like you're recommending that I RMA the MB -- is that correct?

are there any timings, voltages, etc. that you'd recommend I try (other than what I've already tested, as previously described) before initiating the RMA process?

-James

[GSKILL TECH]

No, no settings will fix the problem right now, something appears to be defective, and in my opinion it is the motherboard.

Thank you
GSKILL TECH

[jdefelice]

working better now

I exchanged the motherboard from the dealer I purchased the system from. Both 4GB sticks are now recognized in both DIMM slots at the same time, giving me a total of 8GB working memory.

According to the dealer, they tested both DIMM slots of the old board (with 2x2GB sticks, not 2x4GB sticks) and they said the tests passed. They've since returned the board to the manufacturer so no more testing is possible with that board.

The old motherboard (not working) that I sent back was revision 2.3 (bios FC), the new one (working) is revision 1.0 (bios F5).

Thanks for the help.

-James

[GSKILL TECH]

Great! Glad to hear you were able to get that resolved!

Thank you
GSKILL TECH