Hello
I am having a problem that has stumped even the tech support representatives for my motherboard. Here's the issue:

Simply put, my computer will not load the OS and will reboot automatically when I have more than one stick of memory installed, but loads and works fine with just one.

After building a new computer (see computer specs below) I purchased 3x 2gb ddr3 1600 of Corsair XMS to be used with my Core i7 920. I installed Windows vista 64 bit using just one stick in (2gb) and after installation was complete I installed the other two sticks. The computer starts and posts fine, and at the exact point when windows would normally start loading, it reboots (as if pressing the reset button) and begins the booting process all over, and if left alone, would continue this cycle forever.

At this point I began to check certain things along with the tech support representative on the phone and here's what I found:
-Bios reports 6gb with 3 sticks, 4gb with 2, and 2gb with one which all seems fine.
-Post reports RAM is ddr3 1066 when Ram is actually ddr3 1600 and bios reported timings and voltages to be different than stated by memory manufacturer, but tech said that is normal, but we went into bios to change memory timings and voltages anyway to ones listed on the RAM's heat spreader: 1066 to 1600, 8-8-8-19 to 8-8-8-24, and 1.5v to 1.65v. This provided us with no success.
-I tried every possible dimm slot configuration: since single channel works fine I tried a single stick in each slot with the OS loading each time, proving no broken slots. Then tried the other two sticks separately in each slot with success each time, proving no broken sticks.
-Next I tried flashing the bios to the latest version with no success
-At this point the tech said most likely it could be a memory controller issue, and since the new Intel i7's have the memory controller on the CPU, this meant RMAing and exchanging my CPU for a new one.....which I did......to NO success.

- I called back to the tech to report that replacing the CPU did not work and he said by process of elimination it must be the motherboard and told me to replace that and if that doesn't work try different ram and if that doesn't work then we'd be in one seriously unusual situation.

I have a gut feeling that I headed for that "seriously unusual situation". I really don't want to take apart, RMA, wait two weeks, then build my computer all over again. But I do want to get this issue resolved before the RMA time window and warranty runs out.

Since I know that all of the dimms work, all of the slots work and that the memory controller is fine and BIOS is up to date, and its not a timing/voltage issue; this raises few questions:
What would be preventing the OS from loading in double or triple channel mode?
Why would the computer restart at the exact point Windows would begin to load?
Why would the bios see triple channel memory fine but not windows?
Why is the computer restarting?
Why would single channel be OK but triple not?


If anyone could help, provide input, or just tell me what they think would be greatly appreciated.

Computer Specs:
Case: Antec Solo
PSU: Corsair 650TX
Motherboard: EVGA 132-BL-E758-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
CPU: Intel Core i7 920
Memory: CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) TR3X6G1600C8
Video: XFX PVT42EUDE3 GeForce 6800XT 256MB 256-bit
Hard Drives: 2X Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3250824AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA
OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit


Thank you

Jeff

I agree, this sounds like the motherboard.

What would be preventing the OS from loading in double or triple channel mode?

How do you know that is what is happening? Double and Triple channels are features. Running 3 sticks does not automatically mean triple channel. At this point, you only know the computer is not working with 2 and 3 sticks installed - that does not imply double or triple channel.

Why would the computer restart at the exact point Windows would begin to load?

That sounds like it is hitting a bad memory location

Why would the bios see triple channel memory fine but not windows?

Does it say "triple channel"? Or that it sees all 3 sticks

Why is the computer restarting?

Because that is what you told it to do. Try disabling Automatic restart. This will cause the system to halt at the infamous blue screen of death (BSOD) instead of continually rebooting, and hopefully display a useful error code and message. And it will allow you to look for errors in the Event Log. To change the recovery settings to disable Automatic restart:

1. Right-click My Computer and go to Properties > Advanced

2. Under Startup and Recovery, click Settings to open the Startup and Recovery settings menu

3. Under System Failure, uncheck the Automatically restart check box, then click OK as needed to exit out

4. Restart the computer and see what happens

At this point, when/if a fatal error occurs, it should not automatically reboot, but give you the BSOD. This does not fix the problem causing the fatal errors, but it does stop the endless reboot cycle and hopefully allow further troubleshooting.

Why would single channel be OK but triple not?

Again, do you mean triple channel - or 3 sticks? This still sounds like a motherboard problem.

You could always reinstall windows. Maybe it freaked out by having more ram added so if you try that I would have all of it installed in your system during installation. There is no need to do so otherwise.

If I understand correct about what you are saying right now there is no triple channeling and under your current configuration you can't even have dual channeling as that takes an even number of ram sticks. The only way you can have dual channel is to not use one of your sticks of ram. Read this wikipedia article and tell me if that is what you are talking about.

One thing that you must also consider is that your motherboard must be capable of running more than 4 GB of ram. Read your manual and the release notes that came with the BIOS upgrade. If it does than you should be able to have 3 sticks. You also could very well have a problem with motherboard. In addition you need to ensure that the ram you have is compatible with your motherboard.

Can you run is safe mode? Is the computer beeping abnormally? If the computer detects no problems it should give you a single beep. If you have more, none, or a continuous beep then you have a problem. If you do have more than one there should be a pattern to it. Tell us how many there are and whether or not they are long or short.

towns:

With just a bit of googling you would find this is a very high end motherboard running triple channel.

There is no dual channel. Although single channel should always work.

The board is also specked at 12GB RAM: 6 x 2 GB in triple channel.

Newegg.com - EVGA 132-BL-E758-TR LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

you can't even have dual channeling as that takes an even number of ram sticks.

Blanket statements usually get you in trouble because, like this one, they are extreme, and often wrong. Again, towns, Google is your friend. For years, many 3 and 4 slot motherboards have supported dual channel with 3 sticks. In some cases, some SIS chipsets for example, they don't even have to be matched sticks. Dual-channel is nothing new. From page 19 of the 2003 manual for the Gigabyte 7n400Pro2 motherboard, note the following:


**********

Originally Posted by Jeff242

I tried every possible dimm slot configuration: since single channel works fine I tried a single stick in each slot with the OS loading each time, proving no broken slots. Then tried the other two sticks separately in each slot with success each time, proving no broken sticks.

You could always reinstall windows.

Typically, I would disagree quite strongly with that advice but in this case, since this is a fresh install and it is not likely you will lose all your personal data, or set your security back months (or even years), it is good advice.

I think you should

Power down and unplug
Discharge yourself and pull the battery
Insert all three sticks
Ensure cables are routed to minimize impacting desired front to back air flow through the case
Ensure all cable connections are tight
Insert the battery
Plug in and boot straight into the BIOS setup menu
Set date and time and verify RAM and drives are properly identified
"SAVE and Exit"
Cross fingers and see what happens

Originally Posted by Digerati

Does it say "triple channel"? Or that it sees all 3 sticks


Again, do you mean triple channel - or 3 sticks? This still sounds like a motherboard problem.

3 sticks

I have no idea what a channel is

How do i edit my original post???

If you want to change the context of your first post, you probably shouldn't as the thread may be hard to follow.

What did you want to change?

"Channel", in this case, means a path to the memory. Dual channels means the CPU can communicate with the RAM over two paths - triple obviously means 3 paths. Without this "architecture" designed into the motherboard, memory access will be done to all memory modules via a single channel.

Your owners manual will explain it.

I hope this will help..try to reseat the CPU take out all the connection from the HDD remove RAM,disconnect all hardware,also the battery, because sometime the old memory capacity still remains from the CPU or from the BIOS chip,and also removing the battery means reset all configuration ,then return all the components and go to BIOS set up...take note also the RAM (same brand)

@ Jonathan - please go back and re-read the post. You will note the CPU has already been replace and the BIOS as been reset and flashed.