Added RAM and PC Won't Boot

[Bullesarn]

I've used Tom's Hardware for many years whenever I've encountered computer/software problems and you guys are definitely the best at finding solutions. I've tried just about everything in the following link except for breadboarding the components.

http://

Yesterday I installed some additional RAM in my PC (the RAM is identical to the RAM already in the PC) and the PC will not power on now. Prior to installing the RAM the PC had worked without a problem. Before opening the case or handling the new RAM I made sure I had my grounding wristband on (as usual when I build PCs). When I first installed the RAM, I hooked everything back up (ie. peripherals and whatnot), flipped the power switch, pushed the power button and nothing happened whatsoever. I checked to make sure that I hadn't forgotten to flip the switch on the PSU, and ended up pushing the power button twice. The second time I pushed it the PC flickered to life for a second and then went dead again. No pops, buzzes, burnt smells, or anything unusual occured (other than it not starting). At the moment when the switch on the power supply is set to "I" the green standby light on the motherboard is lit.

Some additional information on what I've tried (to elucidate on the link I mentioned above):
-I've tried a different power supply that is known to be good
-Tried each stick of RAM individually and in each slot
-Checked all header and connections (as mentioned in the link)

Any input is immensely appreciated! Thank you!

System Specs:
ASUS Sabertooth 990FX Motherboard
AMD FX-8320 Vishera 3.5 GHz Processor
G.Skill Sniper 16GB (4x4GB) RAM
XFX Black Edition Double D R9-280X Video Card
WD Green 640GB 7200RPM 16MB HDD
Corsair TX Series 750W Power Supply
Windows 7 Home Premium
NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis Computer Case

 

[biohazrdfear]

I would say clear your BIOS if you haven't already done that. Just in case

 

[Adroid]

What you are describing isn't a RAM problem. Clear the CMOS and make sure you didn't pull any of the power connectors loose. Do you have a case speaker that you can hear BIOS beep codes?

It sounds like either a Power or Motherboard issue (or both) honestly...

 

[Bullesarn]

What you are describing isn't a RAM problem. Clear the CMOS and make sure you didn't pull any of the power connectors loose. Do you have a case speaker that you can hear BIOS beep codes?

It sounds like either a Power or Motherboard issue (or both) honestly...

Hey guys thanks for the input!

I had tried clearing the CMOS last night with no luck. I do have a case speaker but didn't have it in when all of this stuff happened because I had it in a different computer I'm currently fixing.

As for a power/power supply issue, I'm not really sure if that's the problem. I had previously used 16gb in my computer without a problem (same exact type of RAM too), but went to 8gb about a month or two ago because I needed the RAM for another system. Last night I was hoping to have the same, stress free results as before. lol The secondary power supply I hooked up also made no difference. Both just had the standby light on the motherboard lit, but nothing beyond that.

Do you think that perhaps it could be the processor socket on my motherboard? No matter what slot or what stick of RAM I had tried in the pc it still didn't start. I had also tried booting without my video card installed whenever I was looking to reset my CMOS battery.

 

[Adroid]

If the system isn't starting at all, I would be lead to believe it's a PSU or mobo problem. If you checked a second working PSU, every indication is pointing to the motherboard currently. There is an off chance it was damaged while installing the RAM.

Do you have the proper number of screws and standoffs holding the motherboard in place?

It's hard to say honestly without being able to inspect it and mess with it myself.

Sorry I can't be more help.

 

[biohazrdfear]

If it came down to worst case, you would have to disassemble the PC and ensure that you aren't shorting out in certain areas.

 

[Bullesarn]

@ Adroid Yeah, I am with you there. It appears that the motherboard may be the culprit (unfortunately). I checked the standoffs and I noticed I had missed one on the board at the top right corner. The board does flex some when I push the RAM into the slots furthest from the CPU. We're not talking about a whole lot of bending at all but it could have been just enough. This could be the cause of why the motherboard stopped working if when I added the new RAM I applied too much pressure to the board.

@ biohazrdfear I plan on breadboarding the components this evening to see if it could be a certain area that is affected.

I'll update once I've completed the test. Otherwise, it looks like I may be looking at getting a new board...

You guys have been a tremendous help so far. Thanks!

 

[Adroid]

Yea breadboarding is the best bet to rule out any ground fault issue or similar.

Unfortunately if it's not a loose power wire or on/off button, there is probably only a couple (albeit unfortunate) culprits. Sound likes you know what to do, hope it works out for you.

 

[biohazrdfear]

Hope it works for you, my friend. Let us know what happens, for I'm eager to help you as much as I can.

 

[Bullesarn]

Hey guys,

A quick update.

I tried a couple of things last night. The first was I disconnected my power button headers and tried to start the PC by using a flat head screw driver to see if maybe it was something as trivial as a bad header, but unfortunately that was not it.

The second thing I tried was breadboarding the PC. I didn't even get past the CPU + HSF... The green standby light on the motherboard came on when I flipped on the power switch, but when I tried to jump the power switch on the board with a flat head screw driver I got nothing.

On the bright side of thing my ASUS Sabertooth 990FX is still under warranty so I can RMA it. As far as closing out this problem, I think I'd like to try out the new motherboard when it comes in before I put the "final nail in the coffin of the problem". As far as HOW this whole incident occurred in the first place I've only been able to derive two possible situations:

1.) When I was breaking down my case I noticed that I had missed a couple of standoffs on the case along the far right side of the board. This could have caused the board to flex just enough to bite the bullet when I installed the additional RAM. Even though I had previously installed RAM in the system with no problem, this latest installation could have been the last straw. I might note however, that there were no visible indications of stress or fractures to the board when I took it out for closer inspection.

2.) My surge protector is older than dirt. I've had my surge protector for a long time. A really long time (close to 10 years). A couple of weeks ago my wife had gone to use a glass grinder that was plugged into the surge protector and every time she flipped the switch to turn it on it tripped the GFCI outlet. This had never occurred before and she had used her glass grinder many many times before. (I've had the outlet checked out since then and nothing's wrong with it.) The day my PC went out I had another PC I was working on plugged into the surge protector and powered on. My only guess is that with that PC on and my attempt to turn on my own PC after installing the RAM caused some sort of surge that shorted out my motherboard. I've got no idea if this could happen, but I don't really have many

These are just speculations, but both I think are important things to consider if your motherboard craps out like mine did.

Thanks Adroid and biohazrdfear for your help with this issue. I'll give a last and final update (hopefully) when my new motherboard comes in!

 

[biohazrdfear]

Hey guys,

A quick update.

I tried a couple of things last night. The first was I disconnected my power button headers and tried to start the PC by using a flat head screw driver to see if maybe it was something as trivial as a bad header, but unfortunately that was not it.

The second thing I tried was breadboarding the PC. I didn't even get past the CPU + HSF... The green standby light on the motherboard came on when I flipped on the power switch, but when I tried to jump the power switch on the board with a flat head screw driver I got nothing.

On the bright side of thing my ASUS Sabertooth 990FX is still under warranty so I can RMA it. As far as closing out this problem, I think I'd like to try out the new motherboard when it comes in before I put the "final nail in the coffin of the problem". As far as HOW this whole incident occurred in the first place I've only been able to derive two possible situations:

1.) When I was breaking down my case I noticed that I had missed a couple of standoffs on the case along the far right side of the board. This could have caused the board to flex just enough to bite the bullet when I installed the additional RAM. Even though I had previously installed RAM in the system with no problem, this latest installation could have been the last straw. I might note however, that there were no visible indications of stress or fractures to the board when I took it out for closer inspection.

2.) My surge protector is older than dirt. I've had my surge protector for a long time. A really long time (close to 10 years). A couple of weeks ago my wife had gone to use a glass grinder that was plugged into the surge protector and every time she flipped the switch to turn it on it tripped the GFCI outlet. This had never occurred before and she had used her glass grinder many many times before. (I've had the outlet checked out since then and nothing's wrong with it.) The day my PC went out I had another PC I was working on plugged into the surge protector and powered on. My only guess is that with that PC on and my attempt to turn on my own PC after installing the RAM caused some sort of surge that shorted out my motherboard. I've got no idea if this could happen, but I don't really have many

These are just speculations, but both I think are important things to consider if your motherboard craps out like mine did.

Thanks Adroid and biohazrdfear for your help with this issue. I'll give a last and final update (hopefully) when my new motherboard comes in!

Not a problem, friend. Sometimes you just have to say "it happened" when it comes down to failing hardware. I'll be happy to see your update, and if you need anything else just let us know.

 

[Bullesarn]

Hey all,

So I finally got my repaired motherboard back from ASUS. Turns out it was in fact, dead. The repaired motherboard works like a charm now! Sooo, a few final things to note:

-While reassembling my PC I also found out that my HDD got fried/died in this whole process. I had tried using it in a back up computer I have and neither my ASUS motherboard nor my backup Gigabyte board recognize that the HDD was even there. (Ended up getting a 1TB WD HDD and it picked up immediately)
-After reinstalling windows I found that my wireless USB device had also gotten fried (or died) as well. I tried it on my backup PC and it doesn't register there either.
-On the bright side, my R9 280x, my RAM, my processor, and my PSU are all still working like champs.

In summary, I've learned a valuable lesson out of this and my PC is now hooked up to a new battery backup. I do believe that the culprit was the old (10+ year) surge protector. If there's anything to take away from this it's:

Make sure when you're updating your hardware you don't just update what's in your PC or what attaches to your PC, make sure you keep your surge protector up-to-date also or you could end up in the same boat that I did.

Thanks again biohazrdfear and Adroid for your input!