Issues with RAM upgrade on HP Elitebook 860 G9

[David88100]

Hello,

I bought an HP Elitebook 860 G9 with standard 16 GB ddr5 4800 mhz von Samsung already installed on Bank 1. I wanted to expand it and bought Crucial RAM CT32G48C40S5 32GB DDR5 4800MHz CL40 as I checked before on https://www.crucial.de/compatible-upgrade-for/hp---compaq/elitebook-860-g9-#memory and this RAM should be compatible with this Notebook. Unfortunately after installing the new RAM on Bank 2 the Notebook didn't start any more, fan is running with full speed and all the key board light led are blinking. I am IT-technician, followed all the required steps and also disconnected the battery before working on RAM and have no idea what's wrong.

The only thing, I figured out is that the already built in RAM from Samsung is single rank and crucial is a dual rank RAM: https://geizhals.de/?cmp=2784243&cmp=2682443&active=1

Any suggestions what could be wrong? Thanks in advance.

[NonSequitur777]

@David88100,

Welcome to our HP User Forum!

HP computers tend to be rather finnicky when it comes to RAM and (achieving) max RAM speed.

I looked at the RAM specifications you shared, and the best explanation I can come up with for your issue is that you are mixing different RAM, not just brands/models, but also different RAM capacities.  In my own anecdotal experiences with HP, that didn't always work out well for me.

Hope this was helpful.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[David88100]

Thank you

[David88100]

I am reallly lost as I never had such problems with dell or even lenovo before. I have two ideas in my mind and would be very thankful for you opinion about these.

Idea #1: Sending back the dual rank crucial ram + ordering exact the same 16 GB samsung ram single rank ram which is already built in on bank 1 to expand it on bank 2. As I researched two same single rank rams shouldn't be a problem. 

Idea #2: Sending back the dual rank crucial ram + (it is more a question) may I still send back this hp Laptop as I am still during the 14 day period - even I opened the back cover, because the upgrade with officially supported ram didnt work or does opening the back cover/opening the screws means losing the right of returning it back? From outside you can't see any changes or scratches on the laptop as I followed all the steps carefully and it is still in original condition.

[NonSequitur777]

@David88100,

Idea #1 would solve your RAM issue: identical brand/capacity/config.

Idea #2 would work too: upgrading/replacing RAM does not invalidate your warranty.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[David88100]

Thanks again. I complaint at crucial about the whole situation. They promised me to re-produce the behavior and give their feedback within 48h. Suggestion from crucial directy on the phone was to try a CMOS reset (disconnecting battery for min. 15 min) after upgrading RAM but I don't want to open the laptop again as I dont want to get any problems with HP in case that I'll decide to return it.

Does HP check it on some way If a laptop has been opened when I return it without any visible changes? Usually I could also report it to HP as an issue but then they would forward me to their technical support which would make the whole return process just more complicated.

I ordered the same ram from Samsung which is already built in ans will try it out, but is there a brand od RAM which mostly always work with HP?

[NonSequitur777]

@David88100,

As per your HP EliteBook 860 G9 Maintenance and Service Guide: https://kaas.hpcloud.hp.com/pdf-public/pdf_5594604_en-US-1.pdf, it says, and I quote: "Removal and replacement procedures for Customer Self-Repair parts" vs "Removal and replacement procedures for authorized service provider parts".

Removing/installing RAM is considered "Removal and replacement procedures for Customer Self-Repair parts", which will not void your HP warranty unless of course you damage something when you do your upgrade.

If you don't leave any scratches or other obvious signs of abuse, HP has no way of knowing that you opened your laptop, and there were no seals you had to break to get access to the RAM.  So, I wouldn't worry about it or bring it up.

Again, in general, it is best not to mix RAM.  Please let me know if the second Samsung RAM stick works out for you.

If you aren't using it already, I would recommend downloading this very useful freeware program "Speccy" from here ("FREE SPECCY" download): Speccy - Free Download (ccleaner.com), install and run it before and after your RAM upgrade.

You should see something like this:

Please let me know your RAM's specs where I added the red arrows and box.

Once you add the second RAM stick, it should state: "Dual" to the right of "Channels#".

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[TzortzisG]

David88100,

it would be really helpful for other users (especially since crucial has proven to be dependable for its ram compatibility) to try the CRUCIAL 2R ram by itself. I don't understand how the problem is that it is dual-rank since there aren't many (if any) single-rank large (32gb) sodimm modules out there....

[David88100]

I'm making IT since I'm 18 and never saw something like this. Today I spent an half day on it without any success. What I did:

1. I bought exact the same Samsung 16 GB RAM which already built in on Bank 1

2. I tried all possible combinations with Samsungs and Crucial on each bankz single as well es both EVEN just removing the out of the box Samsung RAM and replacing it by exact THE SAME RAM is providing the same result. Num and capslock blinking 5x which means ram issue. 

3. I updated BIOS and checked all BIOS settings but nothing relevant there about RAM or menory channels

4. I disabled TPM

5. I disabled bitlocker

6. I also tried to reset the whole BIOS settings in the end

7. Booting on Baterry as well as on Charger.

8. Each time I did CMOS reset

This is not a random single issue as it IS already my second Elitebook 860 g9 I'm trying to upgrade RAM on - without any success and the same result. It runs only with the out of the box RAM as it would be Blocked on some way only on Bank 1 and permanently connected to the S/N of this RAM memory😅

IT'S UNBELIVEABLE.. I'M LOST AND HAVE NO IDEA ANYMORE. 

[NonSequitur777]

@David88100,

Have you determined that each individual RAM stick works separately when fitted in either RAM slots?

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777