GA-MA770-UD3 motherboard doesn't complete memory test?

[IceColdBeer]

I have a Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 (rev 2.0) motherboard and it has started doing strange things (it is about 2 years old).

I power on and the board does not appear to complete the memory test.   However, if I turn off the PC at the mains socket and then power on - the PC boots up fine.

There were memory issues recently and I had to replace 4GB of my 8GB in total under guarantee.  But, I tested the 8GB of RAM I have installed using MEMTESTx86 and the tests pass even after two passes.

RAM:  4 x 2GB Corsair 800MHz CL5, PC6400/800
Processor:   AMD Phenom X4 9850 Black Edition Box, Sockel AM2+
BIOS ver is FF, so quite old, but I've been using that version for sometime.

Has anyone else experienced this problem?

[absic]

Hi there,

Changing a component, such as memory modules can sometimes cause gliches within the POST process as the system is looking for the original part, even if the RAM is by the same maker.

As a first step I would reflash the BIOS using QFlash and disable the "Keep DMI Data" on the QFlash homescreen before running the update. This will clear the previous DMI Data and reset the system. You can reflash with the FF BIOS or take the opportunity to update to a newer version such as FJ which might also help. You can download the latest BIOS for your motherboard here: http://uk.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3097&dl=1#sp

[Dark Mantis]

There were memory issues recently and I had to replace 4GB of my 8GB in total under guarantee. 

But, I tested the 8GB of RAM I have installed using MEMTESTx86 and the tests pass even after two passes.

Hi

There are two errors in what you did. The first was you should have changed the whole 8Gb of memory as it is a matched kit and as such should be kept together even when RMAing them. They may be the same make and model but that doesn't make them matched.

Secondly when checking the RAM with Memtest86+ it needs to be done properly, one at a time in the first slot and at least 10 loops each with no fails.

[IceColdBeer]

The memory that came back after RMA was the same as the memory already in the PC.     If the make, speed, voltage and size are all matched, what else is there that can go wrong.  2 years on, it's possible to buy 8GB, 12GB or 16GB together in one package, but back when I made my PC the largest set within a reasonable price range was 2 x 2GB, so I bought 2 of 2 x 2GB.     Even, then it is possible for the manufacturer to use different chips in each batch, but if the chips confirm to the spec, then it should make no difference.

Testing the DIMMs seperately will prove that each one works, but you still have to test them all together.    To avoid the risk of damage, I tested them all together first and they passed, well at least the first two passes of MEMTEST.    After all, they've been RMA'd, they should work.

With the 8GB installed, I tried entering the QFlash Utility, I got a black blank screen.    Removed the upper 4GB of RAM and the QFlash utility worked.   Upgraded to the latest version of the BIOS.    

OK, put upper 4GB of RAM back in and BIOS passes memory test without getting stuck.     Memtest is currently running, perhaps an all nighter will reveal more.

Running memory test now.

[IceColdBeer]

Memtests ran for 11 hours 54 minutes and completed 10 passes on 8GB of RAM.

Switched PC off and on again - BIOS completed memory tests OK.

Reflashing the BIOS with the latest version and not keeping DMI data seems to have done the trick.

@absic - thanks for the info.
@Dark Mantis - thanks for replying.

[Dark Mantis]

At least now you can be sure that your system is functioning properly and the RAM is good.