Goal: Upgrade RAM from 8GB to 16GB
System:
Asus G74Sx
Intel® Core™ i7 2630QM Processor
Windows 7 Home Premium, 64 Bit
Intel® HM65 Express Chipset
2 x 4GB DDR3 1333 MHz SDRAM, 4 x SO-DIMM socket for expansion up to 16 G SDRAM (Quad Core)
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 560M with 3GB/2GB GDDR5 VRAM
BIOS was updated. (If I remember correctly I have BIOS 202; I had read that the BIOS 203 was buggy)
New RAM: Crucial - 8GB Kit (4GBx2), 204-pin SODIMM Upgrade for a ASUS G74SX (Quad Core) System
What I did:
1) System off
2) Removed plug & battery, pressed power button
3) Discharged my potential static energy
4) Opened back panel
5) Removed original RAM
6) Added new RAM to slots 3 & 4
7) Replaced RAM to slots 1 & 2
😎 Closed back panel
9) Replaced battery
10) Pressed power on
Result:
1) Black screen
2) No boot, no beeps
3) Can hear optical drive for a second
4) Status indicators:
- Lit up: Power Indicator, Bluetooth/Wireless Indicator
- Not lit up: Battery Charge Indicator , Drive Activity Indicator
What I have tried:
1) Ensuring RAM is securely mounted
2) Checking that other connections are secure
3) Retrying original RAM (slots 1 & 2)
4) Trying new RAM (slots 1 & 2)
5) Trying each individual RAM in slot 1 (4 separate instances)
All of these attempts produced the same result, i.e., Black Screen.
I am pressed for time and therefore called a couple of tech places (to consider taking it in for their trouble shooting).
- One suggested that the "Mother Board is Fried."
Of course they can't know, but is this a possibility? Even with removing all potential power/energy sources?
I contacted Crucial and this what they said:
"Reviewing the parts you are using, they appear to be high-density and manufactured to a standard not available at the time your system was first released, which would lead to the malfunctions you are describing.
One solution to this would be a BIOS update, if available, from your system or motherboard manufacturer. Support for the higher density could have been added in a more recent revision than what is currently running on your system, which would allow those parts to begin functioning as intended immediately after installation.
An alternative solution would be to exchange those parts for a lower density. Performance would be identical but the parts would be built in a way more closely matching what was produced at the time your system was released, so the existing hardware would react more favorably to the parts."
Any thoughts about what the problem may be?
Do you have any suggestions for more trouble shooting?
If the motherboard is "toast" how would I know?
Is this something you would recommend that I take into a Asus Tech centre?
Thanks.
(I am not quite a novice, I have successfully built my own tower, replaced other hardware, and have been successful with other trouble shooting issues, etc. - but I wouldn't say that I am experienced techie).
