Member Avatar for lpkustom

Hey everyone

Just last night i went to install the new DDR2 ram that i have just purchased. Corsair xms2 4gb kits.
Upon copmpletion I found that my monitor would not turn on, so i systematically removed the sticks to see what the problem was.

Turns out that I am only able to run the Ram from the two slots of the same colour, all the slots work- I have checked this- but as soon as i try and run either more than two or one in each slot of a different colour, my monitor won't turn on and my PC won't boot.

any ideas......?

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Dani AI

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Short summary and what to try next: the symptom you describe (POST with two DIMMs but no POST when changing population or adding a third) narrows the problem to three likely areas — population/order expectations on that OEM board, module/rank/density compatibility, or a board-level slot/power issue. Since already confirmed each stick and each slot work alone, focus on a controlled elimination routine that isolates population vs compatibility vs board fault.

  • Identify exactly what you bought (2×2GB kit or 4×1GB sticks) and record the part numbers printed on the labels. Kits must be matched pairs; mixing revisions or densities often causes channel failures.

  • Map and label the DIMM positions on the PCB (use the silkscreen or manual). With one known-good stick, test every slot and log results. Then test every two-stick pairing (1+2, 1+3, 1+4, 2+3, 2+4, 3+4) so you have a clear matrix of which pairings POST and which do not.

  • Boot a working two-stick configuration, run an SPD/timing reader in the OS and note the advertised timing/voltage/part numbers for each stick. That tells you what the modules expect; with an OEM-locked BIOS this SPD info is vital.

  • If only certain pairings fail (and SPD shows non-matching or high-density parts), try the kit on another board or try a known-compatible kit on this board to isolate RAM vs motherboard. If every board fails with the same population, the RAM is suspect; if your RAM works elsewhere, the motherboard likely has a population/trace or firmware limitation.

  • If tests point to compatibility (high-density/rank issue) and the BIOS is locked, the practical fixes are (a) use only the population that reliably boots (two matched slots), (b) swap to a known-compatible matched kit, or (c) update/replace the motherboard (OEM boards often have tighter limits). BIOS flashing can help but follow the OEM instructions exactly and beware of risks.

This builds on and : verify correct slot order, capture SPD details when you can, and use cross-testing (RAM ↔ known-good board) to reach a definitive root cause.

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Member Avatar for The New Normal

Could be a couple of things, but the easiest one to look at first is the actual configuration. Your motherboard manual should have a picture of which sticks go where, but they're all like this:

If you have 2 pairs of RAM, don't put a pair side by side. Put it in the first, then the third slot. Then the other pair in the second and fourth slot.

If that doesn't solve it, you could have a dud stick. Try each stick on its own.

If that doesn't solve it, could be a BIOS setting. Cross that bridge if we have to.

Member Avatar for crunchie

Reset the bios is the first thing that I would do.
The new RAM will have different timings to the old, but the pc will still be trying to boot on the old RAM's timings.
What hardware (exactly) are you running?

Member Avatar for lpkustom

thanks for the reply,

I have tried all the sticks individually, and all the sticks work. The problem appears when i run the sticks in the 1-3 or 2-4 configuration. That is when the monitor doesn't turn on and the PC won't boot.
If i run the RAM in 1-2 position the PC boots fine, but as soon as i place one more stick in the 3 position the same problem occurs.
I have also cleared all the previous settings from the BIOS...

Member Avatar for lpkustom

MOBO: ECS MCP61PM-HM
CPU: AMD Phenom 9500
RAM: Corsair XMS2 DDR2 4GB kits
GPU: Galaxy Geforce nvidia 9800Gt

Member Avatar for The New Normal

Is your new RAM PC-6400 (800Mhz) or PC-8500 (1066Mhz)?
It seems your motherboard's max is 800, though it's not easy to get details from HP's site. It seems there's many versions of your board.

Pretty sure you have the 'Nettle3' version here:

But all these have the same model number:



I'd put in 1 stick then set the correct speed, voltage and latency in the BIOS, then try another stick and see if you can get into the BIOS.
Do you have a manual to check the correct dual channel slots?

Member Avatar for caperjack

RAM: Corsair XMS2 DDR2 4GB kits

what speed is it

Member Avatar for crunchie

Older Phenoms did have problems running 4 sticks of RAM. What volts are in the bios for the RAM? I would try running them at 2.2v and try again.
Maybe try 1 stick first and boot (closest slot to the cpu), shut down and add another. Boot and so forth.
If you continue to have problems, I suggest you get a 2x2Gb RAM kit.

Member Avatar for lpkustom

Ok, I have had a look in the BIOS, and unfortunately i am not able to make any adjustments to the RAM speed, voltage or anything... the BIOS is completely locked. Have done some searching around and it aapears others have tried to find a way to unlock the BIOS, and have been unsuccessful. what a pain.
The RAM speed is 800MHz, which is supposed to be compatible with the motherboard, but....well here we are.
It may be a case of just having to bite the bullet and replace the motherboard. I appreciate all the help, and if anyone has any more ideas please do not hesitate to inform me.

Member Avatar for crunchie

As I said, the older Phenoms have a problem running 4 sticks of RAM. Hate to see you change your mobo and have the same problem.
If you do buy one though, stay away from ecs. Go for a Gigabyte or Asus.

Edited by crunchie because: n/a
Member Avatar for lpkustom

Thanks mate, will do. I have been looking at the Gigabyte mobo's.

Member Avatar for The New Normal

When in the BIOS try pressing Control + F1, that can give you some extra options, though it sounds like you've already done a bit of research into it.

Sorry we couldn't be more help

Member Avatar for stunriver

I have the same problem, I installed 2 new 1GB CORSAIR 6400C4 on my P5NE- SLI and now I have BSOD whenever they are working hard and using a lot of memory. I need the right setting of BIOS

Member Avatar for The New Normal

Corsair's website says this:


Tested Settings for this Module: Speed: 800MHz Latency: 4-4-4-12-2T Voltage: 2.1

Make sure you disable the 'SLI ready RAM' option in your BIOS.

If in doubt, CPU-z will tell you what timings and voltage to use at certain speeds.

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