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Question

BIOS Does Not Recognize All RAM Sticks

Jul 28, 2016 3:22PM PDT

While cleaning my desktop, I removed 4 1gb DDR2 RAM sticks. When I re-installed them, only three are recognized by the BIOS. It's an Intel DP965LT mobo whidh supports up to 8gb. I've checked the sticks individually, in each slot. Any combination of three sticks is recognized. When the 4th stick is added, the BIOS screen won't load.

I haven't found anything quite like this in my searches. I would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Answer
I"ve seen this
Jul 28, 2016 4:43PM PDT

And when I do I put on a inspection loupe and check the simm sockets for bent pins. If that is fine I look at the sticks then retry.

Given the age of this PC it can be time for a new board.

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Answer
Ram
Jul 28, 2016 10:17PM PDT

Are all of these sticks exactly the same?
Same make/model/timing/size?

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Good question.
Jul 29, 2016 8:44AM PDT

This reminds me of an old PC we had. The memory sticks would only work when installed in a very specific way. So glad we moved to a standard where we never mix sticks.

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Answer
Update
Aug 1, 2016 10:07AM PDT

RE: RAM STICKS - They have the same specs, but different mfgs.

I've noticed that the system is much quicker to boot and run if the B channel is empty. So, maybe the mobo is getting old, like me.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

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There's a known reason for that.
Aug 1, 2016 10:50AM PDT

Disregarding mixed sticks, as you add more sticks than a pair (most common setup) the bus load increases and an extra wait state can be required. A good bios does this automagically.