CPU and DRAM EZDebug LEDs Alternating

[Jniepoetter]

So I was doing some routine maintenance on my PC this weekend. Removing dust and what not, and I noticed a small chunk of something under my RAM's heat shield. I removed the shield and dug out a chunk of dust and a small bit of a rubber? Anyways I reattached the shield popped everything back in and now I'm getting alternating CPU and DRAM lights on my motherboard. I've taken off the heat shields on both my RAM sticks in the past with no issue. My second stick alone boots fine and has no issues, but when adding the first stick I get no display on boot... fans all kick on, my case LEDs kick on, but no display and no power to any of the USBs.

Build:

Motherboard: MSI Z170-A Pro
CPU: Intel - Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core
Memory: Kingston HyperX FURY Black 16GB Kit (2x8GB) 2133MHz DDR4
GPU: Sapphire - Radeon R9 380X 4GB NITRO
PSU: EVGA - 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX

I assume its a dead RAM stick, but with the price of DDR4 these days I figured I'd check for another solution before splurging on a new stick.

 

[jay32267]

So the second stick alone boots fine but the first stick alone doesn't?

Yeah.....I would be buying more ram.

 

[Jniepoetter]

Yep that's correct. I figured as much after all the different testing I've done.

 

[jay32267]

Remember to touch the case frequently when you are removing ram etc and try not to touch the conductors on the parts themselves. That stick might have gotten damaged with ESD......or not.