Asus P7P55 LX channel B is dead?

[qvasic]

Hi!

I have Asus P7P55 LX and two sticks of ram 2 gb each. Both were in channel A, I don't know why, I bought this PC in 2010, guys assembled it for me, never looked inside since then.
Couple of days ago I decided to buy some memory, which I did, in form of one 4 gb stick. Then I ran into problems: at least one stick could't be detected.
After playing chess with those sticks for an hour, it looks like channel B doesn't work at all. Everything I install into channel A can be detected, in any combinations: 2gb, 4gb (both one and two sticks) and 6gb.
Channel B doesn't detect anything, in any combinations I tried, even simplest: 2gb sticks in A1 and B1. Only stick in A1 is detected.
What do you think, channel B is dead, or maybe there is some options in the BIOS setup, which can switch it on/off?

Thanks!

 

[alexoiu]

Hi, Usually, this kind of issue are related to CPU socket bent pins.

 

[qvasic]

I have never took the CPU out, I don't believe it was sold to me with a bent pin... but anyway, I can check. What pin exactly?

 

[alexoiu]

The pins are on the CPU socket (on the motherboard). Usually, these pins get bent during the CPU /CPU cooler installation process. You need a CPU LGA chart to identify what zone is related to the CPU memory controller.
If deciding to remove the CPU, make sure you have some thermal paste available for reinstalling the CPU cooler. Take the board outside the case and test it there (on its box).
If no experience in installing components on a PC, I suggest leaving the board as it is.

 

[qvasic]

Damn, I had little hope, but it turned out that you were right! I hope it is possible to bend it back.

(closest pin to the bottom right corner of the internal cavity)

 

[alexoiu]

.Yes, it looks bent. Try straightening it carefully. Use a magnifying glass and lot of patience.

 

[qvasic]

This document says that it is some VSS (look for AJ9 on the pinmap), have no idea what it is, but it has DDR3 pins all around, probably it shorts one of them.
No, I don't what to try my luck with it, going to look for some service around me with this kind of experience. Thanks!

 

[alexoiu]

You're welcome. A jewelry or watches shop might help also.

 

[qvasic]

Fixed, now all 8 gigs are detected!
Guys who did it said that this pin was either power or ground, CPU sockets have hundreds of them, so loss of one pin doesn't matter. So they just removed it.
Thanks once again!

 

[alexoiu]

Glad you've solved it. Good luck!