Computer will only start after reseating ram (ram is not faulty)

[elk123]

Hi,

Every now and then I get a problem where my computer won't start up (does not even get to the BIOS screen) unless I remove one stick of ram and boot the computer with the stick removed (I have 4x 4gb Gskill ripjaw DDR3 my motherboard is Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 5). I then need to shut the computer down and put the stick back in if I want the computer to start up with four sticks.
When this issue occurs, I can see that the side fan on my computer lights up but the top fan does not: I already know the computer won't start when the top fan does not light up. The next time I shut the computer down, the same thing will happen. This happens (seemingly) randomly and keeps up for about a week at a time.

I have no idea how to diagnose the problem, I ran memtest86 and everything came back clean. I wonder if Windows 10 is not shutting down correctly or if the computer is not getting enough power (because of the fan issue but since the computer starts and runs fine after resetting the ram, I don't see why this would be the problem).

Thank you,

 

[littleleo]

Sounds like the motherboard is going out to me.

 

[Pat Flynn]

Honestly, it sounds like a faulty motherboard. If you have another computer that you can test the ram in, I'd give that a try. Also, when you're pulling out the ram, are you unplugging the computer? Maybe it's just a full power cycle on the motherboard that's making it be able to start back up. This could indicate a faulty power supply instead.

 

[elk123]

Honestly, it sounds like a faulty motherboard. If you have another computer that you can test the ram in, I'd give that a try. Also, when you're pulling out the ram, are you unplugging the computer? Maybe it's just a full power cycle on the motherboard that's making it be able to start back up. This could indicate a faulty power supply instead.

This has been happening over the past two years and it sometimes doesn't occur for 4-6 months at a time. Would it really be a hardware issue if there are such long uninterrupted periods without problems?

When I removed the ram I turn off the PSU switch

 

[feelinfroggy777]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from elk123 : "Windows 10 will only boot after removing one stick of RAM (RAM not faulty)"

Hi,

Every now and then I get a problem where my computer won't start up (does not even get to the BIOS screen) unless I remove one stick of ram (it doesnt matter which one) and boot the computer with the stick removed (I have 4x 4gb Gskill ripjaw DDR3 my motherboard is Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 5). I then need to shut the computer down and put the stick back in if I want the computer to start up with four sticks.
When this issue occurs, I can see that the side fan on my computer lights up but the top fan does not: I already know the computer won't start when the top fan does not light up. The next time I shut the computer down, the same thing will happen. This happens (seemingly) randomly and keeps up for about a week at a time.

I have no idea how to diagnose the problem, I ran memtest86 and everything came back clean. I wonder if Windows 10 is not shutting down correctly or if the computer is not getting enough power (because of the fan issue but since the computer starts and runs fine after resetting the ram, I don't see why this would be the problem).

Thank you,
More abou

When a system fails to post it is usually a RAM issue. I would start by updating your bios to the lastest version. Even though it is an older board, you may still be on an early bios and bios revisions typically improve memory compatibly.

You have 4 sticks of RAM installed? Were these bought in a kit or were they separate? RAM can be very finicky at times, this is why RAM is sold in kits as they are tested to work together, even if it is RAM that is the same model. So that could be an issue if you have mixed RAM. Even if it worked for a long time without issue, RAM can be very finicky.

 

[elk123]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from elk123 : "Windows 10 will only boot after removing one stick of RAM (RAM not faulty)"

Hi,

Every now and then I get a problem where my computer won't start up (does not even get to the BIOS screen) unless I remove one stick of ram (it doesnt matter which one) and boot the computer with the stick removed (I have 4x 4gb Gskill ripjaw DDR3 my motherboard is Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 5). I then need to shut the computer down and put the stick back in if I want the computer to start up with four sticks.
When this issue occurs, I can see that the side fan on my computer lights up but the top fan does not: I already know the computer won't start when the top fan does not light up. The next time I shut the computer down, the same thing will happen. This happens (seemingly) randomly and keeps up for about a week at a time.

I have no idea how to diagnose the problem, I ran memtest86 and everything came back clean. I wonder if Windows 10 is not shutting down correctly or if the computer is not getting enough power (because of the fan issue but since the computer starts and runs fine after resetting the ram, I don't see why this would be the problem).

Thank you,
More abou

When a system fails to post it is usually a RAM issue. I would start by updating your bios to the lastest version. Even though it is an older board, you may still be on an early bios and bios revisions typically improve memory compatibly.

You have 4 sticks of RAM installed? Were these bought in a kit or were they separate? RAM can be very finicky at times, this is why RAM is sold in kits as they are tested to work together, even if it is RAM that is the same model. So that could be an issue if you have mixed RAM. Even if it worked for a long time without issue, RAM can be very finicky.

Hi, thanks for your response. They came in two kits (bought at separate times). I believe the BIOS is the latest version but I will double check. I remember updating it when I had the problem for the first time.