Asus M3A76-CM memory upgrade problem

handyguy said:

Hi,
I am trying to upgrade the memory on this old motherboard for my wife.Manual says it can take 4 ddr2 dimms, up to 2gb each. The processor is an AMD Athlon II X2 250 running windows10 (so all 64bit capable) the bios is 2101 (the latest.)
I installed a new(old) pair of matched 2x2gb dimms into the first two slots (1+2, should work as 2 channel,) but the bios shows only 2gb available (as does a boot into windows). All the memory bios settings are on automatic.
Each stick installed alone works fine as 2gb dimm. Tried the other slots (1+3, 3+4) and system would not post.
The dimms are labelled 2gb 2rx8 pc2-6400u-666-12-e0 ddr2 800 cl6 branded HP.
The previous memory was 2x1gb sticks (and bios showed 2gb).
Any ideas? Thanks for the help!

Both RAM sticks go in "either" the yellow slots... OR the black slots.

handyguy said:

Yes, they are in the two yellow slots (the first slots, 1&2). Only 2gb recognized by the bios.
Will not post when they are in the black slots (3&4).

They might not be compatible RAM. I would check the Memory QVL located here...

M3A76-CM | ASUS USA


Only some of the 800Mhz RAM in 2GB stick is compatible.

handyguy said:

Definitely not listed (even the old 2x1gb was not listed,) although most memory would not be listed for such and old mobo. It does work with a single 2gb (either one) but not both sticks.

I would assume that's just some RAM that HP has labeled as HP.
I guess you'll need to call them.

You say both sticks work by themselves. Maybe try 1 stick in slot one, then slot 2, then slot 3... etc. to make sure all the slots work.

There's nothing in the BIOS that I can think of that would disable a slot, or a 2nd stick of RAM.
The only remote possibility is if there was a single channel/double channel setting.

Wanna know the funny part... I have some Corsair 800Mhz 2GB DDR2 sticks. From about 4-5 computers ago.




/edit

I just checked your manual (BIOS settings)... I don't see any setting in there that would only show one stick of RAM.

I would seriously consider a new or newer computer. It's getting to the point where you'll be stuck ONLY being able to buy parts from HP. And then, they will jack up the price.


I did find ONE place that had RAM that was on your Memory QVL, but it's in the US. I couldn't find anything in Canada.

G.SKILL 4GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM 800 Memory - Newegg.com

handyguy said:

Thanks for your help - there are no bios settings regarding slots - only timing and voltage (and these are currently set at AUTO).
I did read another post about having to reset/clear the bios upon new memory installation, although given this is set to AUTO, I would think that was pointless.

Actually that might work, and it's easy enough to do.

Turn the computer off.
Turn switch on power supply... OFF
Hold case power button down for 30-40 seconds.
Pull the CMOS battery for about 5 minutes. Put it back in.
Turn on power supply and boot the computer.

handyguy said:

Tried a bios reset - no change (did not pull battery, will repeat).
It will not post unless a stick is in the first slot, and also will not post if the 2nd stick is in slot 3 or 4. In slot 2, it posts, but does not register the additional memory. Thinking the MOBO is the problem now.

Were you running Windows 10 on that motherboard, when you had the 2x 1GB sticks in there?