I need some help with a frustrating problem after trying to upgrade my RAM. I attempted to install a new 32GB kit (2x16GB) alongside my existing 16GB kit (2x8GB) on my B365M IB-R motherboard. When I added the new sticks, my PC turned on, but there was no display and the keyboard wouldn't light up, suggesting it wasn't booting to the OS or even accessing the BIOS. I removed the new RAM and restarted with just the old sticks, which worked fine.
I tried various combinations: both RAM kits together, the old kit with one new stick, and just one new stick in different slots, but nothing worked. After a frustrating night, I couldn't get the PC to boot at all, even with the old RAM, which had worked fine before.
I also accidentally plugged one new stick into the wrong slot initially but corrected it right away without noticing any visible damage. During my troubleshooting, someone suggested clearing the CMOS and trying different RAM configurations. I tried two methods: 1) clear CMOS, install only the new kit, and wait 30 minutes; 2) clear CMOS, install only the old kit, and boot into BIOS to set default settings. Neither method worked; my PC just sat there, not booting up. I'm unsure if it's a RAM compatibility issue or if I've caused some damage. I've been considering taking it to a local repair shop, but I'm hoping to get some advice first. Thanks!
2 Answers
I hear you about being at a loss—PC stuff can get really tricky! Since you’ve already cleared the CMOS, you might also want to try reseating the CPU if you're comfortable with that. Make sure there's no dust in the socket and that everything is connected properly. If you end up needing to take it to a shop, they should be able to diagnose it quickly. Good luck!
It sounds like you've tried all the right steps. Mixing different RAM kits can definitely lead to issues, and if the new kit is too fast for your motherboard, that might be causing problems too. I recommend double-checking the motherboard's manual for compatible RAM specifications. If you're still having trouble, you might want to try booting with just one stick from the new kit in different slots to see if that helps. Also, ensure that all connections are secure and that nothing is short-circuiting.
Yeah, sometimes a loose connection can cause all sorts of issues. It might also be worthwhile to test the new RAM in another compatible system if you can, just to rule out that the RAM isn't defective.
Thanks! I think I might try reseating the CPU next before heading to the shop. Appreciate the suggestion!