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October 13th, 2022 11:00
Aurora R12, ram upgrade, what is going on?
Alienware Aurora R12
I purchased an Alienware Aurora R12 desktop about 1 year ago. I just recently bought a 16gb ram stick to upgrade my computer. Put it in, computer wont start. Take it out computer wont start. Take out the 2 8gb ram sticks try with the one. Works. Contact Dell. They say faulty motherboard. Send technician, install new motherboard. Still doesn't work. Technician LEAVES me without a working computer. 1 week later. Another technician shows up. Installs new motherboard and power supply. Still wont run with multiple ram sticks installed, but at least turns on. While working on the computer he gets on the phone with another Dell employee tells me they will send a refurbished computer to me. Ok great, leaves. Turn on computer get a stop code. Inaccessible boot device. Call Dell again. Faulty motherboard again. Ask him about them sending another computer. No, wont do that unless its your 3rd major issue. I payed big dollars for this computer and I'm getting refurbished parts? How.. why.. what is going on? I cant believe the technicians leaving without even testing the computer.
K2oNiK
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October 19th, 2022 04:00
Ok so they replaced the ram sticks, and also replaced the ssd pcei hard drive. Everything working now. That includes all ram sticks. So the 1-16gb and 2-8 gb.
Guessing here when the inaccessible boot device blue screen was showing up there was a problem with the hard drive. Either had to reformat windows or get new drive. Technician said he seen it happen a few times because windows 11 does something when you replace the motherboard. But everything seems to be running again.
ProfessorW00d
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2.4K Posts
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October 13th, 2022 13:00
You should have come here first and we probably could have gotten your original rig working. Now all we can do is listen to your sad story.
K2oNiK
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October 13th, 2022 13:00
Probably should have. Talking to some of these guys have been painful. Telling me oh the ram card wont work because the speed is to high. Them me explaining the ram card is working fine it just wont work with the other ram cards or for that matter the original 2 ram cards that came with the computer are no longer working.
Vanadiel
6 Professor
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October 13th, 2022 14:00
These systems are very picky when it comes to aftermarket RAM support. Most aftermarket memory modules do not work with Alienware systems.
You also can't match different size RAM and/or different speed RAM.
The R12 FAQ has all the information about what is supported and working 100%: R12 FAQ
Always do some research before purchasing upgrades.
Vanadiel
6 Professor
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7K Posts
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October 13th, 2022 14:00
Your best bet is to put the original OEM memory back into the proper slots, and do a coin cell battery reset. Leave all the other memory out.
It should come back to life.
R12 Coin Cell Reset
K2oNiK
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October 13th, 2022 14:00
Question for you. I received a call from a dell employee saying that the 16gb ram wouldnt work with the 8gb stick. Is that true? I thought as long as they are the same ddr type they should be able to work together. Even if the speed is different they just work to the lowest speed.
K2oNiK
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October 13th, 2022 14:00
Well... doesnt matter anymore because nothing works now. Yay.
ProfessorW00d
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October 13th, 2022 15:00
Did you clear CMOS as suggested by Vanadiel?
Mismatched RAM will not function . . . but it should not nuke your motherboard.
K2oNiK
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October 13th, 2022 15:00
All ram i purchased from dell. Is it only alienware systems that cant have different size compatible? Ie 16gb + 8gb
K2oNiK
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October 13th, 2022 15:00
Only problem now is the new motherboard doesnt wanna run any ram memory now. Just goes to blue screen and says inaccessible boot device. Also when i do system check it says memory errors. With the 2 ram sticks that came with computer if i put them in the computer starts up for 5 secs then shuts down and keeps doing that untill i unplug
K2oNiK
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October 13th, 2022 16:00
Clear CMOS? The 2 ram sticks that came with the computer 2 - 8gb dont work at all anymore. Whenever i try to put them in the computer starts up for abot 5 - 10 secs then shuts down. Now with my orginal motherboard they still worked 1 at a time. Same with 16 gb. But nothing worked as soon as i added another stick.
Vanadiel
6 Professor
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7K Posts
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October 13th, 2022 16:00
This is the official Matrix of validated memory configurations: R12 validated memory
Memory configurations supported ● 8 GB, 1 x 8 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz
● 16 GB, 1 x 16 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz
● 16 GB, 2 x 8 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz
● 32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz
● 64 GB, 2 x 32 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz
● 64 GB, 4 x 16 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz
● 128 GB, 4 x 32 GB, DDR4, 3200 MHz
● 16 GB, 1 x 16 GB, DDR4, 3400 MHz
● 32 GB, 2 x 16 GB, DDR4, 3400 MHz
● 64 GB, 4 x 16 GB, DDR4, 3400 MHz
● 64 GB, 2 x 32 GB, DDR4, 3400 MHz
● 128 GB, 4 x 32 GB, DDR4, 3400 MHz
It would likely help if you explained in more detail what type of ram (part #) and speed you purchased versus what you had installed in the original configuration.
ProfessorW00d
4 Operator
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2.4K Posts
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October 13th, 2022 17:00
with your two 8GB RAM modules fully seated and locked in the white slots . . .
disconnect power, remove the CR2032 coin cell battery, discharge flea power by holding in the power button for 30 seconds, put the battery back in, connect power, and see if she can get a successful POST
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17.1K Posts
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October 13th, 2022 21:00
Did you turn-off computer, un-plug from wall, and dissipate the flea-power ... on that first case intrusion ... and each consecutive attempt to change DIMMs since then?
K2oNiK
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October 14th, 2022 00:00
Just tried what you said still nothing. The computer starts then shuts down within 5- 10 secs.