XPS 8700 not booting after RAM Memory Upgrade

Question

Dear Forum members.

I have a XPS 8700 with the following specs:

Core i7 4770k

2TB HDD

16 GB Ram (4x 4GB)

NVidia GTX 660 (1.5 GB)

BIOS version A10 (latest).

The current ram sticks in my system are all Micron Tech (here) 4GB DDR3 SDRAM 240pin PC3-12800 1.5V 1600 MT/s .

I got two ram modules of Micron tech (here) 8GB DDR3 SDRAM 240pin PC3-12800 1.5V 1600 MT/s so that I can upgrade to a total of 24 Gb.

Following the discussion here and here, I Installed the modules in slots 1 & 2 (both white) with the result that the system is not able to boot. Not even got the bios screen. I also tried configuration 3 & 4 (both black) I ran my computer with both 8GB sticks only, with same unfortunate results.

I've seen also that this is a normal problem of compatibility issues between the ram types, but I consider this is not the case. Moreover, ill-positioning the modules is not the case also because If I put back my old ram sticks the computer boots normally.

I was using static isolation wirst band.

Is the problem a compatibility issue between my computer and the ram modules?

If RAM is damaged does it do this effects (not booting)?

How can I check if ram modules are damaged?

What would be your suggestions?

Thank you very much in advance!

Mauricio

beamermt79 · Accepted Answer

Hmm, I would say you have two sticks of bad RAM.  If the system won't even POST with them, I would exchange them if you can.  We know that the RAM slots work because you have 4x4 sticks with no issues and your computer can take up to 32GB of RAM.  By your admission you purchased the correct type of RAM, voltage and speed etc., so that shouldn't be an issue.  I would say bad RAM.  When you do install, just double check that you do matching pairs in each of the colored slots, eg. matching pairs in the white slot and matching in the black.

beamermt79 · Answer

UPDATE:  So I just took at look at the manual for the XPS 8700 and according to that you should have a memory slot configuration of 1,3 and 2,4.  Meaning the white tabs should be on slots 1 and 3 and the black ones on 2 and 4.  It is possible they changed it and didn't update the manual, however I would give this a try.  Put the 8GB sticks in slot 1 and 3 and see if that works.  Since your computer came with 4GB it would already be in 'dual channel' anyway, so this will help see if it really is the sticks or the memory slot configuration.

mauri_aristi · Answer

Thanks!, @BEAMERMT79 I think you were right.

After doing what you suggested (swapping memory channels) I decided just to try putting 1 memory stick in my board at a time. It resulted that only one of my two new memory sticks achieved a complete boot, so one memory came damaged. I will send back the memory and ask for a replacement.

Instead of two damaged sticks it was only one of them that was making trouble in my equipment. Thanks again for your answer!

beamermt79 · Answer

Awesome! Glad it worked out!

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XPS 8700 not booting after RAM Memory Upgrade

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