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GA-Z77X-D3H Boot Loop after installing new RAM

GA-Z77X-D3H Boot Loop after installing new RAM
« on: August 29, 2016, 08:02:28 pm »
Greetings,

GA-Z77X-D3H F15 BIOS
Core i7 3770k using integrated GPU.

I am upgrading the RAM on one of my systems, so that I can run larger topologies in Cisco VIRL.

I had 8GB (2x 4GB) in the system, and it was running perfectly stable at 4.4 GHz for years.

I added a further 16GB (2x 8GB) into the remaining slots, and all of the sudden my computer goes into a boot loop. Can't even get to the UEFI. It just powers down and back on every couple of seconds.

I took the new RAM out, and reset my UEFI settings back to default (no overclock, standard voltages, etc). I put the new RAM back in. Same result.

If I have JUST the new RAM in, and leave the old RAM out, it boots fine. However, this leaves me with only 16GB of RAM, instead of the intended 24GB.

Any ideas on why mixing the RAM would be causing a boot loop?

This was at almost 2am, so I can't be positive, but I'm pretty sure I tested the old RAM sticks in the previously unused slots, and was able to boot. I will test more configurations tonight, but was hoping somebody might have an idea as to why this was happening.

The new RAM (linked above) is DDR3L, and the old RAM is DDR3 (still listed at 1.35v though).

autotech

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Re: GA-Z77X-D3H Boot Loop after installing new RAM
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2016, 02:53:22 am »
new and old are incompatible. Have ran into that before. The sticks are different sizes. Try 4 stick all the same size and bought in same kit.
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dmdilks

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Re: GA-Z77X-D3H Boot Loop after installing new RAM
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2016, 03:31:06 am »
The new RAM (linked above) is DDR3L, and the old RAM is DDR3 (still listed at 1.35v though).

You can't mix those two types. It has to be all DDR3L or DDR3. Plus like Autotech said they have to be all the same speed and timings too.
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Re: GA-Z77X-D3H Boot Loop after installing new RAM
« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2016, 04:21:02 pm »
Thank you for the replies. I ended up getting it working last night. After more thoroughly cleaning the previous unused RAM banks via compressed air (I gave it a shot last night, but apparently, not enough), all four sticks are now working at the same time. 24GB total.

The new RAM (linked above) is DDR3L, and the old RAM is DDR3 (still listed at 1.35v though).

You can't mix those two types. It has to be all DDR3L or DDR3. Plus like Autotech said they have to be all the same speed and timings too.
I thought about that, though as I understand it, DDR3L is basically DDR3 at 1.35v. Since the older DDR3 sticks I have are also 1.35v, I would think they should play nice together, unless there was something else different between them. Speed and timings are identical.

Anyway, they appear to be working together now. Re-overclocked the system back to 4.4 GHz. Memtest was coming back clean. I'll have Folding@home running to check for any crashes. Should there be no problems, VIRL will love the extra RAM!

Thanks again for the replies.