Upgrading a Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 to 32GB RAM

[Dark Mantis]

DISK BOOT FAILURE. Probably you have the mode set wrongly in the BIOS AHCI/IDE or you haven't set the HDD priority correctly. You need to tell the system which drive is first and which one to boot from.

[Vitee]

Ok. I have partial success. I have done the following (I have 2 x 1TB drives - 1 x Seagate Barracuda, 1 x WD 1 TB The Seagate is the boot disc) :

- re-installed the 32GB
- Standard CMOS > IDE Channel 0 Master : set to [AUTO]. Access mode set to [Auto]
- Channel 0 Slave : set to [ATAPI iHAS124 C]

Advanced BIOS >
HDD Boot Priority: 1 Ch0: ST31000524AS
Quick Boot: [Enabled]

Is that enough info for you?

BTW: If I can private message to you, I can give you my Skype address - or vice-verso. I'm not an 'Over-clocker' (obviously) - all I want to do is install this 32GB of RAM! Thanks.

[Vitee]

The System did partially boot and Windows offered to start up in 'Recovery mode' but that didn't succeed. Now I have no idea what to do. I either need to go through the BIOS setup process step-by-step or take it to someone and pay them to do it -- or tell me the RAM or the motherboard is broken.

Very depressing.

Thank you for your help up to this point.

Cheers,

Vitée

[Vitee]

Ok... Update time. I've had a data recovery guy work on the machine and he has managed to get it running ok with the 32GB or RAM. The only issue is that it takes a very long time to boot up completely... like about 5 minutes. He has done extensive memory speed/health testing and has found no issues with the RAM. With 24GB RAM installed, it boots up as it should, i.e. almost instantly. Any ideas what the problem is and how to fix it?

BTW: The motherboard is Revision 2.

DISK BOOT FAILURE. Probably you have the mode set wrongly in the BIOS AHCI/IDE or you haven't set the HDD priority correctly. You need to tell the system which drive is first and which one to boot from.

[Vitee]

On re-examination, the system takes 10 minutes to boot!

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

Sorry for the delay in replying but have been very busy.

So the system is now booting but taking 10 minutes if all the memory is installed, correct ? If you remover 8GB (one stick) then it boots fine, yes ? Does it make any difference which module you remove ?

Have you got Optimised BIOS Defaults loaded ?

[Vitee]

I initially did load the Optimized BIOS Defaults. But I got so frustrated with it that I got a data recovery guy to mess with it. I had bad sectors on the boot HD which he fixed and I had him add another HDD. I now have 3 x 1TB drives. I'm pretty sure he 'mixed and matched' until he got them (i.e., the RAM modules) to work. He didn't change the frequency from the default (1333Mhz - I checked) and tried to keep everything as bog standard as possible.

Like I said, it boots fine with 24GB - when I remove the module in slot number 4, as directed by Derek, the data recovery guy. Put that module back and it takes 10 Minutes(!) to boot. I suppose I could number the modules and try swapping them around - if you think that would help.

Thanks.

[Dark Mantis]

I am afraid that you are getting mixed up between your hard drives and the memory modules.

You do need to find out whether it is the memory module or the slot itself that is at fault, so yes you need to number the sticks and play around to find out.

[Vitee]

Yeah... I'm not mixed up, but I'm afraid I have provided more info than necessary. My apologies.

I am swapping sticks and it looks like slot number 4 is the problem. I'm guessing that slot wasn't used in the original 8GB (2 x 4GB) arrangement.

What can I do short of replacing the motherboard? It's still under warranty. Would the warranty still be valid after all the exchanging of memory?

Thanks.

[Dark Mantis]

It could well be that one or more of the pins on the motherboard's CPU socket copuld be bent which would give you the indication that the memory slot was faulty. To check this you would have to remove the CPU. If you want to check this follow these pointers:

Take all the usual anti-static precautions.

Very carefully remove the heatsink and fan. Probably a slight twisting motion is best to release the two as the thermal paste can act like a glue.

Once off remove the CPU taking extreme care both physically and electrically(static) and place somewhere safe.

Make sure that the lighting is very good and even.

Now scrutinise the socket for any pins that are out of alignment, even slightly.
If in any doubt whatsoever take a couple of macro (close up) photos of the socket and post them on here for us to check. Try not to use the flash, just good ambient lighting.

Also look at the bottom of the CPU at the lands (little copper circles) and make sure that there is a mark in each somewhere near the centre.
If there are any missing marks or any of the pins are obviously bent then that is your problem.

Before refitting the CPU clean off all residue of the old thermal paste and the same on the heatsink and then apply a small amount (about the size of a grain of rice) to the centre of the CPU once it is inserted in the socket.


The warranty on the motherboard is valid for three years from the date of manufacture and it doesn't matter how many cards and modules you have fitted. As long as you haven't changed any of the motherboard components you should be fine.

[Vitee]

Thanks for your suggestions, Dark Mantis.

This is very illuminating. I'm not prepared to do this myself as my eyesight isn't up to it, so I'll contact my supplier and get him to check it out.

[Vitee]

This what I was advised to do:

"To fix this problem please goto BIOS setting >Advanced BIOS features >
Select and change Init Display First to [Enable If no Ext PEG]."

In the Award BIOS, it is actually Onboard VGA : [Enable If no Ext PEG]

That's it! Fixed. Quick book. No problems.

[marcolee1314]

This what I was advised to do:

"To fix this problem please goto BIOS setting >Advanced BIOS features >
Select and change Init Display First to [Enable If no Ext PEG]."

In the Award BIOS, it is actually Onboard VGA : [Enable If no Ext PEG]

That's it! Fixed. Quick book. No problems.

That was...totally fix my problem too....
i have z68xp-ud3 same issue with 32GB RAM...
now the problem fixed by setting internal graphics to [Enable If no Ext PEG]
thanks all ^^

[Misterio]

This what I was advised to do:

"To fix this problem please goto BIOS setting >Advanced BIOS features >
Select and change Init Display First to [Enable If no Ext PEG]."

In the Award BIOS, it is actually Onboard VGA : [Enable If no Ext PEG]

That's it! Fixed. Quick book. No problems.

Yeap , was looking for the solution for a week now , and the problem was in Onboard VGA
Thanks all