Computer won't boot, DRAM_LED on

Alec Shern

Reputable
May 1, 2015
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My computer randomly stopped working one day. It simply didn't show anything on the screen. I opened it up and the DRAM_LED was on, so I tested each RAM stick(2 of them) in every spot while pressing the memOK button after installing each, no luck. I then didn't know what else to try so I unplugged everything, cleared CMOS, and put it all together. It worked.

Then I realized yesterday that I hadn't re-overclocked or re-applied thermal paste(Temps were high) so I took the CPU off, reapplied paste, and put it back in. It wouldn't POST or turn on. There was a solid red DRAM_LED. So I took the CPU out, reseated it, turned it on, but now it would turn on, the CPU Led would flash quickly, then the DRAM_LED would blink, and then after a few minutes it would shut off. Tried turning the power supply off and on, now it would turn on but then instantly shut off.

So I tried removing ALL the components except MOBO, PSU, CPU, and one stick of RAM which I alternated. Still doesn't work. (I cleared CMOS overnight).

My specs:
Asus z87-A motherboard
Pentium G3258 (Previous OC to 4.2Ghz)
2x4GB Kingston FURY RAM (1866Mhz)
EVGA GTX 760
Corsair Spec-01 Case
EVGA 500 Watt PSU 80+ Bronze

I really don't know what it could be now, except maybe CPU or Motherboard? Or PSU. I don't have any friends to test components with, sadly. I tried taking the MOBO out of the case to see if maybe it's the standoffs causing interference but I couldn't get the Motherboard power connector unplugged and was afraid I'd break the motherboard.
Edit: No bent pins on the CPU socket
 
Pentium G3258
Memory Types DDR3-1333, DDR3L-1333 @ 1.5V
http://ark.intel.com/products/82723/Intel-Pentium-Processor-G3258-3M-Cache-3_20-GHz

You can use 1600MHz speed when overclocked.

"Have you ever plugged in a set of DDR3 1866 MHz memory only to find the motherboard defaults it at 1333 MHz? That won’t be the case with these modules. They’ll boot right up at their rated speed and timings, thanks to Kingston’s PNP feature."
http://www.overclockers.com/kingston-hyperx-fury-ddr3-1866-2x4gb-memory-kit-review/
This means they want to run at 1866MHz when plugged in, which is the wrong speed for your CPU.
 


They've been working for months on end with my CPU, though so I don't think compatibility is an issue.
 
I think I found the problem, I took everything out of the case and it now works. My thoughts are that this is a grounding issue, but I have the standoffs installed. Anyone have any solutions to help that?