MSI BIG BANG TRINERGY dual channel problem!

[slithor]

Hey forum, I just installed a newly bought msi big bang trinergy. Everything went according to plan except from the point where I installed the 4gb (2x2gb) ram dimms( I have the XMS3, 4gb kit by Corsair).
Let it be noted that i followed the instruction manual and installed the dimms in the proper slots. Then when the moment of truth came and powered up my pc, it wouldnt boot. It would go into an endless restart cycle without booting. Then i unplugged the dimm3 and started only using dimm1 and everything went well. I also switched the ram dimms (in case one of them was faulty) and placed it in dimm1 and again there was no problem.

My take on this situation is that there must be some hardware problem concerning DIMM3. I also run a BIOS update in hopes that something might change but no luck.
..So what is your take on this?

Thank you in advance for the advice.

P.S Since i had a P55 mobo before Big bang i read that format is not necessary so i didnt format the pc. Can that be the cause of the dual channel mal-function?

 

[Jack the Newbie]

P.S Since i had a P55 mobo before Big bang i read that format is not necessary so i didnt format the pc. Can that be the cause of the dual channel mal-function?

Nope.

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There are a couple of explanations for the behaviour:

1) there is a problem with the modules

2) the memory slot itself or underlying circuits is/are defective

3) there is a short circuit problem somewhere inside the case which basically blocks that particular memory slot

4) the CPU (or its memory controller) is defective

5) there is some sort of pin-contact problem [bad contacts between the board's socket pins and the contact pads of the processor], caused by bent or broken pins or by too much pressure exerted by the CPU's heatsink

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I would start poking at explanation 3) by testing the board outside the case on a non-conducting surface in barebone configuration and, in case that does not change anything, go for number 5): take off the heatsink and inspect both socket pins and contact pads for any irregularities [use a magnifying glass!]

 

[slithor]

I didnt specify that the memory modules I used were the Corsair ones i said before but @ 1600. I saw that the specifications on the motherboard concerning the ram modules were and i quote " Supports four unbuffered DIMM of 1.5 Volt DDR3 1066/1333/1600*/1800*/2000*/2133* (OC) DRAM, 16GB Max " and mine were at 1.65 V. Might that be the case? That the memory voltage was incompatible with the one required by the mobo to begin with?

Also does the asterisk (*) refer to OC conditions?

If so what kind of memory modules should I buy?

 

[HU16E]

Also does the asterisk (*) refer to OC conditions? If so what kind of memory modules should I buy?

Your getting ahead of yourself here. It it wasn't going to work at all, 1 RAM stick wouldn't work. If not done so, get CPUID's CPU-Z & check out the Memory Tab & the SPD Tab. Guessing the RAM has been set to default, not the OC rating. Yes, 1600 is overclocked. Follow Jack's plan of troubleshooting.

 

[slithor]

What am i looking for in the memory and spd tab? 

 

[HU16E]

Memory Tab will show 'active' RAM speed & timings (what was set by auto/default). SPD Tab shows 'read only' static information of the profiles the RAM is programmed to work at. Useful information when manually setting up the RAM in the BIOS.

 

[slithor]

btw here is the mem tab and SPD tab from cpu z
http://img863.imageshack.us/i/memva.png/
http://img818.imageshack.us/i/spdk.png/

I also read somewhere in this forum that clearing cmos after the bios update is good choice. should i do it?? or it has nothing to do with my problem?

 

[Henry]

Yes you should clear CMOS after BIOS flash and then do the basic BIOS setup you would normally do with a new MB after that.

 

[slithor]

Nope.

-----------------

There are a couple of explanations for the behaviour:

1) there is a problem with the modules

2) the memory slot itself or underlying circuits is/are defective

3) there is a short circuit problem somewhere inside the case which basically blocks that particular memory slot

4) the CPU (or its memory controller) is defective

5) there is some sort of pin-contact problem [bad contacts between the board's socket pins and the contact pads of the processor], caused by bent or broken pins or by too much pressure exerted by the CPU's heatsink

------------------

I would start poking at explanation 3) by testing the board outside the case on a non-conducting surface in barebone configuration and, in case that does not change anything, go for number 5): take off the heatsink and inspect both socket pins and contact pads for any irregularities [use a magnifying glass!]

I went to a technician to check the mobo where we tried different memory modules and cpu (100% working ) on a bench table.The pins on the mobo were not bent or anything. We checked all the points you mentioned that needed to be checked but still the problem persisted so it was a memory slot problem. Thanks for all the help! Really appreciate it, the replaced mobo works perfectly