PC doesn't boot / BIOS doesn't post: Asus P5B-E Plus & CM2X1024-8500C5D

[Pingus]

I recently got some new TWIN2X2048-8500C5D RAM based on the Memory Configurator recommendation (http://www.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=13266). When I took the sticks out I noticed the label on each one said CM2X1024-8500C5D but I assumed the packaging/retail label was different because they came as a pair.

 

The packaging label reads:

10077596

TWIN2X2048-8500C5D G

ASSY IN SRI LANKA

 

And the memory reads:

CM2X1024-8500C5D

XMS2-8500 1024MB 1066MHz 5-5-5-15 2.10V ver1.5 10077596

 

I tried putting one of them into the first (A1) RAM slot (please bear with me if I say obvious/stupid things!) but when I powered on the computer it didn't start to boot. The power came on and the fans started but there was no display, no BIOS beep and no power to the USB mouse or keyboard.

 

I have tried the RAM in a Gigabyte P31-ES3G, for which they are also recommended (http://www.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=671233). Each stick works individually but if I put in both I get the same problem - no boot, no BIOS.

 

I have been reading other posts on this and other forums and some people are saying that I have to manually change certain BIOS settings to get the RAM to run. I am a noob (which is why I tried to buy RAM that was guaranteed to work) and I wasn't expecting to have to change BIOS settings (kinda scary) but I am willing to try it. The problem is I don't know how to try changing the BIOS settings if the computer doesn't even start to boot.

 

I checked and found that the P5B-E Plus has an AMI BIOS and I have updated it from version 0504 to the latest non-beta version (0636). I am not sure if I was supposed to update incrementally or just go straight to version 0636 so please let me know if I was supposed to update to each successive version in turn.

 

The original RAM was a Rendition 1GB 566MHz and I have put it back for the time being.

 

I have some ideas but am not sure if they are smart / safe to try:

1.) Is it the significance of the extra "G" on the packaging label that is the problem? (Don't laugh I'm a noob!)

2.) Is it because I am running Windows 7 32-bit? I could get the 64-bit version but it's a bit of a hassle so I'd like to avoid it if possible.

3.) Do I have to put both the sticks of RAM in at the same time for them to work?

3.) Would it be a good idea for me to boot with the Rendition RAM, make the changes to the BIOS and then power down and swap to the Dominator?

 

I would really appreciate any advice on what might be the problem and how to fix it.

 

Thanks in advance x

[RAM GUY]

The CMX is the individual part number for the module the TWIN2X is the kit part number. Dont worry about the G it just means it is RoHS certified. Windows 32-Bit will not show you all of your memory but it should be ok.

 

As for the memory issues try manually setting the timings to 5-5-5-18-2T and the memory voltage to 2.1v also you may want to raise the NB/MCH voltage slightly in the bios.

[Pingus]

Thanks for your reply :)

 

I will try those settings tomorrow (it is 0200 in the UK) and get back to you.

 

I don't know if this will help but I have already tried using only 1 of the RAM modules in slot A1 with the settings given in the Dominator Timings post (http://forum.corsair.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54052). It did not make any difference (still no boot/no BIOS) but I could not find where to set some of the parameters and I only used one of the modules not both. Details below:

 

Testing parameters for Twinx/XMS2-8500/C5D:

Twin2x2048-8500C5D Data Sheet

Twin2x4096-8500C5DF Data Sheet

Memory Voltage 2.2 Volts Version 1.x and 2.15 Volts for version 2.x.

Motherboard make and model: Asus P5B or M2N32-SLI Premium/Deluxe Only!

Each pair is tested and packaged together using the following settings:

SET - AI Over Clock Tuner: Manual

COULDN'T FIND - OC Operation: Disabled

COULDN'T FIND - NOS Operation: Disabled

SET (to 266 because otherwise RAM goes to 802MHz) - CPU External Frequency: Manually set to 268 MHz

COULDN'T FIND - PCI CLK1: Auto

COULDN'T FIND - PCI CLK2: Auto

SET (2.1V) - DDR2 Voltage control: 2.20V Ver 1.x (2.1 Volts for 2.X)

SET - CPU Core Voltage: Auto

SET (but mine only goes up to 9) - CPU Multiplier: 10

SET - DDR2 SDRAM Clock: Manually set to 800MHz

SET - DRAM Timing Selectable: Manual

SET - SDRAM CAS Latency: 5T

SET - SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD): 5T

SET - SDRAM Row Precharge (tRP): 5T

SET - SDRAM Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS): 15T

SET - SDRAM Write Recovery Time: 5

COULDN'T FIND - 1T/2T: 2T

COULDN'T FIND - A1 Clock Skew: Auto

ADVANCED Voltage Control:

COULDN'T FIND - CPU Vcore offset:-Disabled

COULDN'T FIND - DDR2 Termination:-0.5X

COULDN'T FIND - CPU to NB HT:_____1.200V

COULDN'T FIND - NB to SB HT:______Auto

SET (is the default value) - NB Core/PCI-E:____Auto

SET (is the default value) - SB Core/PCI-E:____Auto

COULDN'T FIND - SB Standby core:__+1.500V

All other settings are motherboard defaults.

Maximum DDR2 recommended VDIMM: 2.2 Volts for Rev 1.x and 2.1 Volts for Ver. 2.X

 

I will try the settings you recommended in your reply but I don't know how to find out the default/current setting for the NB voltage so I don't know what to set it at. I think there are only 4 or 5 options in the BIOS so I could start at the lowest voltage and work my way up. However, I don't have any additional cooling on it so I am not sure if the maximum voltage would be safe.

 

Should I be using only one stick in slot A1 or both sticks in slots A1 and A2 (the two slots nearest the processor)?

 

Please could you also help me find where I set the parameters listed in red above? There is a good thread showing images of the P5B AMI BIOS here http://www.thetechrepository.com/showthread.php?t=41 and I can get pictures of my screen as well.

 

Thank you!

[Pingus]

The CMX is the individual part number for the module the TWIN2X is the kit part number. Dont worry about the G it just means it is RoHS certified.

 

Thanks for clarifying and not laughing :)

 

Windows 32-Bit will not show you all of your memory but it should be ok.

 

I was under the impression that, because of the 4GB total address space, 32-bit versions of Windows can only show up to about 3.5GB of RAM, depending on what hardware is installed (so can be as low as 2GB in extreme cases). I have a RAID array, Nvidia 8800GTX, Audigy soundcard and 2 DVD drives also plugged into the motherboard but I have only been testing with one of the 1GB sticks and both of together would still only be 2GB. Is it the type of RAM (rather than the limit imposed by available address space) that would cause the OS not to show all of it?

 

As for the memory issues try manually setting the timings to 5-5-5-18-2T and the memory voltage to 2.1v also you may want to raise the NB/MCH voltage slightly in the bios.

 

I tried the above settings with no success. I couldn't manually set to 2T but I checked online and apparently it's the default/only value for Intel motherboards, including mine. The voltages available to try on the NB were 1.25, 1.45, 1.55, 1.65. I tried all of them but I still got the same problem.

 

I looked at the Data Sheet and went to find out what JEDEC and EPP meant (:!oops:). Am I right in understanding that the RAM is rated 800MHz @ 1.8V JEDEC standard and 1066MHz @ 2.1V EPP standard? Should I have manually set the speed to 1066MHz for the 5-5-5-18-2T 2.1V you suggested or will the motherboard figure it out? Also, should I have tried using both of the RAM modules (and if yes in which slots)?

 

Maybe my processor is the problem? When I saw in the Dominator timings post that the RAM had been tested with a motherboard from the same family as mine, I was sure it it would work with the right BIOS settings but when I went back to check I noticed there was no processor specified. Is it because the processor doesn't matter?

 

Thanks again for your help :biggrin:

[RAM GUY]

The limit is an OS limitation and does not change with DDR1, DDR2, or DDR3.

 

You would need to set the frequency and timings manually as the motherboard does not support EPP. As for the slots test them in the yellow slots.

 

The processor may have something to do with it however most of the time it does not.

[Pingus]

Still no success. I tried the EPP settings (1066MHz, 5-5-5-18-2T, 2.1V) with the Northbridge at 1.45V (default is 1.25V) and with the RAM in the yellow slots (labelled A1 and B1 in the manual).

 

I downloaded Everest to get a better idea of the settings at which the motherboard is running with default BIOS values and the Rendition RAM (hardware report attached). It's kind of long winded but there are a few key bits of information that were unavailable or unclear in the BIOS, such as the NB and SB voltages. It is a .htm but I renamed it to a .txt to get it to attach.

 

I hope it will help in figuring out the next step(s). I am still poking around on the internet hoping to find something :):

Report.txt