Question Dell optiplex 390 - Dead ram slot (bent pin but I can’t find it)

[TiagoGSOL]

Hello guys,

I was cleaning my computer and removed the cpu from the socket (dumb, I know). My brother tried to help clean it and bent a few pins. I’ve tried to get them all straight but now the only flaw I noticed is the second ram slot is failing. If I use it, computer doesn’t boot, and if I take it out it works!
I’ve taked a picture of the cpu socket and none of the pins seem too bent. Photo attached. Can you help me trying to figuring out the problem?

https://imgur.com/2HxF21h

View: https://i.imgur.com/2HxF21h.jpg

 

[Dj0gany]

Well, you tried your best, but there is nothing you can do.
You cant just replace the contacts, and while you were trying to put them in the right position, you might've moved them to much.
You still have 3 more DIMM slots, right?

 

[TiagoGSOL]

Just two dim slots. Now only one. The pins don’t seem loose but I can’t find one way to out of alignment

 

[Dj0gany]

I doubt you can do anything,a mate.

 

[TiagoGSOL]

I guess I have to accept it :/

 

[Bassplate]

You said When you Remove the second RAM Module Your Computer boots??

How many RAM sticks do you have installed Into your System?

 

[geofelt]

Where were the bent pins that you think you fixed?
Looking closely at the photo, I think there is a pin near the lower left corner of the center square that might be touching.
Try taking it to a jeweler who has the optics and the skill for such small work.

 

[TiagoGSOL]

You said When you Remove the second RAM Module Your Computer boots??

How many RAM sticks do you have installed Into your System?

That’s right. One ram in the first slot and it boots. Put the other onde the second and nothing. I’ve tried both rams on the first slot, they’re both good, so must be the slot (socket contact).

 

[TiagoGSOL]

Where were the bent pins that you think you fixed?
Looking closely at the photo, I think there is a pin near the lower left corner of the center square that might be touching.
Try taking it to a jeweler who has the optics and the skill for such small work.

In the left corner of the socket. Can you point the pin you see?

 

[geofelt]

In the left corner of the socket. Can you point the pin you see?

12 up and 9 from the left.
Using that mapping, which pins did you fix?

 

[TiagoGSOL]

Unfortunately I didn’t make a picture of the bent pins. There anyway to get a diagram and see what pins are for ram?

 

[geofelt]

Unfortunately I didn’t make a picture of the bent pins. There anyway to get a diagram and see what pins are for ram?

Somewhere, there may be such a diagram, but I don't know.
I do know that ram issues are a common problem with bent pins.
No telling what the issue might be. No dual channel is one I hear about.
To the best of your recollection, what was the area you worked on using the grid I described?
I can look closer in that area.

Consider the possibility that in replacing the cpu, more pins could have been damaged.
It is easy to do if you do not drop the chip in cleanly.
If you smoosh it around, you will damage pins.
And, also, the socket is designed for only 15 insertions.

 

[TiagoGSOL]

Ouch. I didn’t knew about the 15 insertions. I guess I will just continue to use my computer with less ram or just get more ram and use in the first socket

 

[TiagoGSOL]

Ah and other thing. The computer showed the two rams the first time I assembled the computer again but then got a color glitch and I assumed that was a pin. Probably was ram related no? I opened up and after that no second slot

 

[Ralston18]

Try installing both RAM modules but do the first physical RAM installation in the second slot.

Some motherboards require that the first RAM module be installed in a specific slot.

Check the motherboard's User Guide/Manual.

 

[TiagoGSOL]

I’ve tried that, no luck 🙁 when I put something with the second slot, the pc doesn’t boot