Aurora R7, changed SSD and RAM, black screen

Question

So I am a novice with this, however my first attempt with SSD and cloning procedure worked the first time I tried it on an old HP I had.

So I had got 1 NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive from Crucial - 1000 Gb and 4 - 8GB RAM memory, also from Crucial which I planned to put into my Aurora R7.

Before hand I had reinstalled Windows 10 in my computer, so it had no software, the plan was to use cloning software or a fresh windows install with USB.

I started to read about Intel Optane, and tried to find a way to disable this, but I could not find Intel Rapid Tech installed on the computer.

I am not very familar with BIOS, but I had a look there too, and did not find anything with Intel Optane. And it was set at ADHI. As I could not find anywhere to disable Intel Optane, I assumed it was not installed. I checked Device manager, and searched Intel Rapid tech, and nothing was found on my computer.

I added everything, and first time I tried booting with the new M2 SSD, machine started, but nothing comes on my monitor. All was black.

Monitors where working, 2 of them, checked with other computer. I shut down and connected the HDD again, and tried to boot another time, and again black screen, but desktop lights come on, but I was not sure if it was booting up.

I checked the graphichs card, and that seemed ok, I then exchanged the SSD NVME card to the original card, nothing changed, I then changed the RAM back to the original, and again the same, nothing happen.

Now it's all back at the original state, and still nothing comes on the monitor when I start up the computer.

I don't know if it is booting or not. Computer is passwored protected.

Very frustrated, as I have not idea what the problem is, would appreciate some help please, because now the computer is just as good as a brick.

r72019 · Answer

Leave the PC in the stock configuration. Unplug from wall, and remove the CR2032 coin cell battery from the motherboard, then hold down power for 5 seconds. Put it back together and let the PC sit at the black screen for 4+ minutes before doing anything. It needs time to process the RAM change.

Also 4 x 8gb = 32 GB is not a supported configuration on the R7. At least is wasn't for the first 2+ years after it's release. Been documented by many users. Not sure if that has been patched in a more recent BIOs update, but just a heads up.

tigerjohn · Answer

Thanks for your reply, I will follow those instructions.

Regarding the RAM, so the option to get 32 RAM would be to get 2x16 instead?

Unfortunately I relied on the the Crucial Scanner, and I have seen some videos where that configuration did work. Will revert after I have tried this. Thanks.

tigerjohn · Answer

Yes it has no finally booted up again into Windows. Please any advice what I do with regards to that SSD?  Is there something I need to change with regards to Intel Optane / or / and the BIOS?

tigerjohn · Answer

Very greatfull for your help.

It does seem that the SSD did not cause the problem, because I had it fitted and is not booting up.

What would be the best option for getting 32 RAM?

Very greatefull for your help, thanks.

r72019 · Answer

Yeah, a 2 x 16GB = 32GB kit, with both sticks installed in the same color tab, would be a good choice.

You can also try updating BIOs and seeing if the four sticks will work, Dell might have patched that in a recent BIOs update.

r72019 · Answer

Are you sure you have Optane.  The systems that have an optane accelerator have a 16gb or 32gb drive installed on the M2 slot, and you don't see a separate drive letter for it in your PC.  Anything larger than 32gb in an R7 means it's not Optane.  Optane has 'intel optane' written on the drive.  You'd only see the C: drive (which is the 2TB 3.5' SATA drive) in windows.  Dell shipped optane drive r7s set to RAID in BIOs.  If you have AHCI set, then you probably have an nvme boot drive and don't have to worry about disabling Optane.

tigerjohn · Answer

Thanks for your reply,

Now the R7 is working great, with the new 1 Tb NVMe M2, I checked the one that was there before and that was 16 gb NVMe Intel Optane Memory M10.

I have to admit my knowledge of BIOS is not great, but when I did look at the BIOS it had ACHI enabled, not RAID or IDE.

Now I did recently do clean install / recovery of Windows, I don't know if that could have removed any drivers for Intel Optane if that was there before.

I appreciate advice and expanding my knowledge.

tigerjohn · Answer

Thanks for that information,

Where can I see the details in the BIOS about the RAM?

I used the Crucial website to scan the computer, however those have been returned now.

I noticed looking at Dell support, my BIOS update number is the same as the latest BIOS, however the one on Dell website is of a later date, I believe mine is from February and the one is from April 2020, however has the same version number that is on my computer.

And also when I run the dell scan it tells me all my drivers are up to date.

tigerjohn · Answer

Which RAM would you recommend?

The ones I originally got was with a speed of 3600, but I have since read that this speed is not really important.

I just would like 32 RAM with the least amount of headaches.

r72019 · Answer

The software application CPU-Z displays all the memory information, and you don't have to restart every time you want to see it. There's several tabs, the memory tab is where you can see it.

https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

r72019 · Answer

I purchased the HyperX Fury (retail version) from amazon.

r72019 · Answer

Here's an example from my PC, you can see I'm running it on the first XMP profile.

tigerjohn · Answer

Today I got the Hyper X Fury from Amazon, 2666 Mhz, both installed and working.

The ones I tried first, besides being 4 x 8Gb, they were 3600 Mhz if I recall correctly, and they did not want work.

Thanks for all advice and help. With the NVMe M.2, 2.5 SSD and 32 Gb Ram, it's like reborn computer.

r72019 · Answer

Cool, good to hear you got it up and running like new.

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Aurora R7, changed SSD and RAM, black screen

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