Computer won't boot with 2 sticks RAM, though both sticks and slots work

[Marty9231]

Hello,

To provide some background information, I will explain what happened to 'cause' the problem in the first place:
I was on vacation with my parents (it's their computer, by the way) and prior to that we took out all the plugs of the computers just in case. When we came back, all that was done was re-plug the computer, and then we tried booting it. It turned on, but the display didn't work.

After some fooling around, it was identified that RAM was the issue, because when I took out a single stick, it suddenly showed video again. However the next boot it didn't, so I took the other stick and tried it, but it didn't work, so I put it in the other port and then it did work.

Long story short, I have tried both RAM sticks together: doesn't work. Tried them individually, and they both work SOMETIMES. Sometimes one of them works in one port, then it works in the other, then it doesn't and the other stick has to be in one port, then the other. It seems completely random, and I haven't been able to identify any other issue.

I'm not entirely sure if I'm in the right section of the Forums, but since I restarted the PC about a hundred times, it seems like I am. The motherboard is ASUS M4N78SE and the RAM are 2 sticks of 2GB Fatal1ty 1066 DDR2.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
~Marty

 

[aaronfield]

First of all test your video cable. You'll feel real embarrassed if it turns out to be just that being loose (happened to me too). Check all cables(outside the pc) are secure and not loose. Try a different keyboard and mouse (sometimes compatibility is a bitch). If those don't work then try my next steps.

First step: Clean both sticks with 100% isopropyl alcohol (70% will suffice but 99% or 100% is preferred).
Second step: Let them dry for a day and try them again.
Worked: Good job!
Didn't: Test the RAM in another computer. Make sure they are in 100% of the way and seated correctly. Try different RAM. Check your PSU connections, make sure mobo connectors are still in correctly, and that the fuse is still on 120V / 110V.

DON'T get frustrated, thats when things get broke (or in my case when you split your thumb on the RAM). If you arent scared there are a couple of things you can try.
To Try:
Clear CMOS and try again.
Reseat CPU and hope that didnt get screwed up.

 

[Marty9231]

Right, so I forgot to list the things I've tried so far:

- Tried different monitor (same type of cable)
- Tried it on the TV with HDMI (worked, so we assumed it was the port that broke)
- Switched monitors to one with HDMI, didn't work, so we started looking into the RAM.
- Found out sometimes video works, but only with one stick and not always the same stick in the same slot.
- Tried different RAM, didn't work so we began to blame the Motherboard
- Took everything out of the case, put it on a wood plank and seated only the necessities. Worked, but again only with 1 stick. 2 sticks didn't work so everything except mobo and RAM was ruled out.
- Cleared CMOS with 1 stick and with both sticks, neither resulted in getting both sticks to work.
- Updated (flashed) BIOS with the latest version, didn't work.

I think that's everything, may have missed something.
We decided to take action and get a new Motherboard and RAM entirely, so hopefully that'll solve the issue. I'll know the answer later this week.

Thanks for the reply and the effort!

 

[aaronfield]

Right, so I forgot to list the things I've tried so far:

- Tried different monitor (same type of cable)
- Tried it on the TV with HDMI (worked, so we assumed it was the port that broke)
- Switched monitors to one with HDMI, didn't work, so we started looking into the RAM.
- Found out sometimes video works, but only with one stick and not always the same stick in the same slot.
- Tried different RAM, didn't work so we began to blame the Motherboard
- Took everything out of the case, put it on a wood plank and seated only the necessities. Worked, but again only with 1 stick. 2 sticks didn't work so everything except mobo and RAM was ruled out.
- Cleared CMOS with 1 stick and with both sticks, neither resulted in getting both sticks to work.
- Updated (flashed) BIOS with the latest version, didn't work.

I think that's everything, may have missed something.
We decided to take action and get a new Motherboard and RAM entirely, so hopefully that'll solve the issue. I'll know the answer later this week.

Thanks for the reply and the effort!

Please tell me you went for an upgrade to DDR3 and a newer board?