Acer Aspire 830 XC - attempted to add a SODIMM, now I can't get the bios to boot?

Background: A few months back I boguht a xc-830 and today I tried adding a Crucial 4gb ddr4-2666 SODIMM 1.2V CL19 to the second memory slot. It was very easy to click it in place and I was somewhat careful (taking some measures to avoid building up static electricity and so on, I have built my own computers in the past so I don't think I messed this part up, but you never know).

Problem: When I assembled the computer and turned it back on it turned itself off. I tried again and again. Then it suddenly booted and said something was wrong with the settings. I managed to get into the bios settings (by pressing DEL), but accidently quit (and saved). Now, everytime I turn the computer on it starts the CPU fan, and turns itself off after approximately 4 seconds.

If I remove the cmos battery the power light will stay on for 20 seconds on the first boot retry, but then it wil revert back to the only 3 seconds behaviour again. The cpu fan never runs for more than 3 seconds.

If I remove the new SODIMM nothing changes, if I remove both SODIMMS nothing changes.

What has happened? What can I do to isolate the error? Do I need to buy a new motherboard, is that even possible?

Accepted answers

All comments

billsey

The memory you attempted to install isn't the right speed spec calls for, although usually the memory is just down-clocked to match the correct speed (2400). Your system should support 2GB and 4GB sticks, so the size shouldn't have been a problem. What size is the first module, 4GB or 2GB? If you are putting mismatched modules in the smaller needs to be in the second slot. Try removing the CMOS battery then press and hold the power button for a minute or so with no power cord connected to force a full bleed down of motherboard capacitors. Next move the CLR_CMOS jumper from pins 1-2 to 2-3 for 30 seconds, then put them back. The combination of both steps should get the BIOS back working again with the stock memory...

StevenGen

Tabzter said:

Background: A few months back I boguht a xc-830 and today I tried adding a Crucial 4gb ddr4-2666 SODIMM 1.2V CL19 to the second memory slot. It was very easy to click it in place and I was somewhat careful (taking some measures to avoid building up static electricity and so on, I have built my own computers in the past so I don't think I messed this part up, but you never know).

Problem: When I assembled the computer and turned it back on it turned itself off. I tried again and again. Then it suddenly booted and said something was wrong with the settings. I managed to get into the bios settings (by pressing DEL), but accidently quit (and saved). Now, everytime I turn the computer on it starts the CPU fan, and turns itself off after approximately 4 seconds.

If I remove the cmos battery the power light will stay on for 20 seconds on the first boot retry, but then it wil revert back to the only 3 seconds behaviour again. The cpu fan never runs for more than 3 seconds.

If I remove the new SODIMM nothing changes, if I remove both SODIMMS nothing changes.

What has happened? What can I do to isolate the error? Do I need to buy a new motherboard, is that even possible?

I don't know what you have done to the bios? As you must have done something else? As adding new memory will not brick your system like yours is. You must have tried to force a bios screen which could have damaged the bios chip prematurely and by accident. As just pressing the DEL KEY pre boot to get into the bios should not brick your desktop as it should get you into the bios but, getting into the bios, is not the solution with a system that is not booting with a NEW and wrong RAM module, as you have to make sure that you have the right new and compatible ram installed or and before getting into the bios, first you need to remove the incompatible ram. Also, getting into the bios will not fix incompatible ram issues, as even if you had ram settings in the bios (which you don't) a wrong ram will not work no matter what you do in the bios settings! Also, removing the CMOS battery only resets the bios and does not repair a damaged bios chip, as whatever you have done you must have physically damaged the bios chip which needs replacing, Btw, there are no suggested Acer bios flash repair utilities that are recommended for the XC-830 in its SG but, there are ways to repair bios flash faults like yours, which on this forum we are not allowed to give you any guides as it has to be done by an experienced tech that knows what they're doing.

To find out the compatible and best ram combination for your system, do the "Crucial System Scan" for the max and total and best DDR4 memory modules compatible for your system. Just as additional advice for the future and what you have to do when you upgrade ram, install CPUz and then look at the OEM ram specs that works with this system OEM, at CPUz > Memory > Max Bandwidth > Model Manuf > Part Number and timings and match the exact memory specs to what you have that is working on your desktop,

The best thing that you can do is that you need to replace the bios chip, so click on this link and lookup this specialist bios chip seller BIOSFLASH and enquire if they have a new Aspire XC-830 bios chip which they should. If not then there are allot of other retailers that sell bios chip that is also flashed to the last version bios of the XC-830. NOTE: Do not attempt to replace THE BIOS CHIP YOURSELF as you need to take your desktop to an experienced tech that has all the right tools that can remove the damaged bios chip and can fit the new bios chip onto the mobo properly for your mobo to work and also look at other faults that your mobo might have?

Tabzter

I understand you're trying to help StevenGen, but I'm pretty sure my computer is using SO-DIMM which is 260 pin by definition.

Also, the SODIMM already present in the first slot (the stock memory) was a Samsung M471A5244CB0-CTD 4GB 1Rx16 PC4-2666V-SC0-11 1Rx16 2666MHz PC4-21300 260pin Laptop / Notebook SODIMM CL19 1.2V Non-ECC DDR4 Memory. IE 260pin

The reason I entered the BIOS was because I got an error message about the setup. Upon entering I briefly notidced 8gb installed, so at least the new SO-DIMM was recognized by the BIOS at this point.

I have now tried following billseys advice but to no avail. I still have the same behaviour.

When I disconnect the power cable, and reconnect, the power LED is on for about 20 seconds. No CPU-fan. Then it turns the LED off.

If I press the power button again, it flashes, the CPU fan runs for about 1 second and then it turns off.

If I again disconnect the power cable and repeat the procedure I again the the 20 seconds LED on, no cpu-fan and then it turns the LED off.

Im afraid this might not be a BIOS issue.

Any tips or ideas are welcome!

Larryodie

Try unplugging. Remove the battery, over night.

Larryodie

I'm also wondering if you know for sure if your memory is OK ?
I'm thinking that you should get one beep if bad on boot-up

But still try : Try unplugging. Remove the battery, over night.

Larryodie

Perhaps that you've bend or broke a pin on the ram socket ?

2inSD

I have experienced something similar when I replaced the Ram on my TC-780....I Tried using Crucial memory because they scan your system and match you to the right kind of ram that fits your system

Tabzter

I have no visible damage to the sockets and I doubt I bent anything as I was kinda careful installing.

Since I removed the battery and held the power button down for a minute + connected pins 2+3 on the cmos jumper I dont think its matter of residual power in any capacitance but I will try to dry it up for a full 12 hours,

So far I have tried to remove the SSD, no change in behaviour. I removed 0, 1 and 2 rams. I have tried both rams in both slots. I even disconnected the onboard controller for the wifi. Nothing changes.

If I remove the power cable for short time and reconnect + press the start button I get the power on LED lit for approximately 20 seconds.

If I do the exact same thing without removing the power cable, the LED is on for maybe a second and then nothing.

I never get to the splash screen with "Acer". If anyone knows where I can find a detailed description of the boot sequence that would be great. I guess I am stuck pretty early, maybe there is a problem with the on board power supply.

Larryodie

Yes unplugged all port and unplugged the AC cord. Replace the battery if possible. Let sit overnight or 12 hours as you state. Look connectors close on both the ram and socket, check all plugs for tightens & any dropped debris. I left a screw drive in a tv one time that caused a lots of problems. Good Luck

StevenGen

Tabzter said:

I understand you're trying to help StevenGen, but I'm pretty sure my computer is using SO-DIMM which is 260 pin by definition.

Also, the SODIMM already present in the first slot (the stock memory) was a Samsung M471A5244CB0-CTD 4GB 1Rx16 PC4-2666V-SC0-11 1Rx16 2666MHz PC4-21300 260pin Laptop / Notebook SODIMM CL19 1.2V Non-ECC DDR4 Memory. IE 260pin

The reason I entered the BIOS was because I got an error message about the setup. Upon entering I briefly notidced 8gb installed, so at least the new SO-DIMM was recognized by the BIOS at this point.

I have now tried following billseys advice but to no avail. I still have the same behaviour.

When I disconnect the power cable, and reconnect, the power LED is on for about 20 seconds. No CPU-fan. Then it turns the LED off.

If I press the power button again, it flashes, the CPU fan runs for about 1 second and then it turns off.

If I again disconnect the power cable and repeat the procedure I again the the 20 seconds LED on, no cpu-fan and then it turns the LED off.

Im afraid this might not be a BIOS issue.

Any tips or ideas are welcome!

Tabzter try the bios utility reflash and see if you can revive the bios. As and if you can't then replace the bios chip as its allot easier to do that, if you want to save this PC?

Larryodie

I forgot to ask but can you do an ALT-F10 to get into the reset section ?

Commodore_1995#

Is the image displayed when you connect the monitor here?

billsey

I am starting to think the memory change is a bit of a red herring and not the actual cause of the problem. Something else has gone wrong, possibly due to the work you were doing to the computer. The BIOS message that popped up initially is the normal 'something has changed' caused by the different amount of memory and would be cleared by entering the BIOS and saving or by just ignoring since the only real change was the memory size from 4GB to 8GB. So at that point things were working.

If you managed to do a static zap on the motherboard (not actually as easy as you would think) it typically takes some time before a component actually fails. Perhaps that's what we're seeing the symptoms of...

Tabzter

There is no image displayed using the VGA port. Maybe I should check the pins with a V/A meter.

Anyway, I took the computer apart completely and found no visible clues (no botched pins, no lose screws). I didnt bother lifting the CPU cooler but everything else was disconnected and reconnected.

Still the same behaviour. When I connect the power cable and turn the computer on the power LED is on for approximately 20 seconds, then it turns itself off. If I try to turn it back on by pressing the buttnon again the LED turns on briefly, the CPU fan spins up and then it turns itself off.

There is no VGA signal / no contact with the monitor / no way to access bios.

I'm afraid there is something wrong with the power supply logic. There are a few surface mounted chips next to the dc in, but I really need some technical specs before I try to mess with those.

Does anyone know where I can find the specifications of the motherboard / technical info on the boot sequence (ie for a simple network analysis)?

Larryodie

Maybe take a few pictures of your MB and ram slots.
If you have an ohmmeter, voltmeter the plug out of the PS and post.
I think the power is OK as fans spin. You can check the volts on the battery holder (with the battery out) for a 3V or so reading.