Did I damage my new PC?

[TD86]

It's been a few days since I have put together my new PC (ASUS P5Q-E, E8500, Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX, Sapphire HD4850, Coolermaster M620, Spinpoint 640GB, Vista Home Premium 64bit). It was the first time I've build my own system and I was very satisfied that everything was working. Temperatures, stress tests, etc. were all fine. Yesterday however, I took out the 2 RAM modules and started the system to check if it was giving me warning beeps, because I didn't hear them after POST (now I know it's because I haven't got a chassis speaker). I did not unplug the power and vga cable -stupid- and when putting back the RAM modules, the problems started.

First, the system didn't pass POST, which it did after a restart. Then the start-windows-in-safe-mode showed up. I started it in safe mode and, after loading some drivers, the system rebooted itself and again asked to start in safe mode, after which the same thing happened over and over again. After this, I removed one of the RAM modules, this time with all cables unplugged, and I managed to start Windows. It was very unstable; rebooting itself and a lot of BSOD's. I tested the RAM using memtest86+ v2.01 (booted from CD and using SPD timings) and it showed a lot of errors, already after a few seconds. I've repeated the test several times for all the DIMM sockets and now memtest just says Unexpected Hardware Interrupt or it just hangs while doing the first test. In all cases the test doesn't last more than a few seconds. Of course, I've also tested the other RAM module and this one seems to work fine: memtest didn't find any errors after at least 7 passes for each DIMM socket.

I have the following questions:

1. Is it safe to conclude I damaged only one RAM module? I am very worried that other components might have gotten damaged as well. When using Windows with only the properly working RAM module it seems to be stable and I haven't noticed any pecularities so far. I am running the Orthos blend test at the momemt and so far (4 hours) so good... Any other tests recommended perhaps?
2. Was it ESD that destroyed the RAM module? I don't have any grounded outlets in my computer room and I get a continuous shock, although little, when touching the chassis. When removing components from the computer, and also when I built it, I frequently discharge myself via an unpainted part of the central heating.
3. Is it likely that my RAM module will be replaced after RMA? I don't think my own stupidity falls under the warranty 😉 Is it possible to see how a RAM module was damaged?

I really hope someone has some answers for me, especially on the first question. Thanks in advance!

 

[TD86]

Anyone please? Orthos is now running for 7.5hrs withouth problems...

 

[hairycat101]

Your post is extremely long. I doubt anyone wants to read that much.

Did you try clearing CMOS?

 

[roadrunner197069]

You got 1 bad stick. Buy a new one. You broke it you buy it. I hate noobs that break stuff out of stupidity and expect new parts for free.

 

[crash27]

if clearing the cmos doesn't work then your memory and or your motherboard could be damaged.
sometimes the power supply can cause problems like that too.

 

[nickwest]

When you removed your RAM did you turn off your computer from your powersupply? If you do not, there is still some power going to your motherboard (usually there will be a green tiny LED on the mobo to indicate power). This is especially if you "hibernate" your computer instead of actually turning it off. If you didn't, when you pulled out your RAM you likely caused a short and fried your RAM. Feel lucky that only only fried your RAM and not something expensive.

 

[Kaldor]

2. Was it ESD that destroyed the RAM module? I don't have any grounded outlets in my computer room and I get a continuous shock, although little, when touching the chassis. When removing components from the computer, and also when I built it, I frequently discharge myself via an unpainted part of the central heating.

What? Are you telling us that your computer case gives you a shock when you touch it when its plugged in?

 

[Drez143]

Yeah, the computer case is suppose to shock you, that's normal. It basically is like telling you, "This **** is so hott, you can't touch it." Us non-noobs do this to all of our cases to show how sick our overclocking skills are.

Let me get this post straight. You run a MEMORY test on your ram, and it comes up with errors, every time. And the question you want an answer to is, "Is it safe to conclude I damaged only one RAM module?" Well golly, works with one stick, not the other, me wonders.

I still can't get over the fact that this all occured because despite the fact the computer was running fine, you wanted to gank out a stick of ram to make sure the computer was running fine. That logic is !=.

 

[TD86]

if clearing the cmos doesn't work then your memory and or your motherboard could be damaged.
sometimes the power supply can cause problems like that too.

OK, I've cleared the cmos which didn't help, so i guess i fried the module. How do I test if the motherboard is still OK? I just did 8hrs of orthos blend testing without any errors... tonight and tomorrow i'll test again. If no errors show up, does that mean the mobo is still OK?

When you removed your RAM did you turn off your computer from your powersupply? If you do not, there is still some power going to your motherboard (usually there will be a green tiny LED on the mobo to indicate power). This is especially if you "hibernate" your computer instead of actually turning it off. If you didn't, when you pulled out your RAM you likely caused a short and fried your RAM. Feel lucky that only only fried your RAM and not something expensive.

The computer was turned off, and I turned off the switch on the back of the PSU. I just didn't disconnect the cables when pulling out the RAM modules.

What? Are you telling us that your computer case gives you a shock when you touch it when its plugged in?

It doesn't give me a real shock. The chassis just feels different when "stroking" it when power is on. However, I am sure some charge is building up in the chassis. I guess this is normal when not using a grounded outlet?

 

[dokk2]

you're lucky that the computer even runs solidly without no ground,,you should address that ASAP,use the heating system if that is all you have,return the ram to the store whilst it is still under warranty,they will probably replace it,,maybe for a small cost,,NEXT time THINK before you fool with the insides of your computer.let me put it this way,, if the standard computer of today were built using yesterday's tube technology,,it would cover more than 7 city blocks and be five or more floors deep and use gig-a-volts of juice..:>)

 

[Kaldor]

OK, I've cleared the cmos which didn't help, so i guess i fried the module. How do I test if the motherboard is still OK? I just did 8hrs of orthos blend testing without any errors... tonight and tomorrow i'll test again. If no errors show up, does that mean the mobo is still OK?

If you couldnt make it error on Orthos chances are its OK. I would contact Corsair about an RMA for your ram. They do have world class service, and simply tell them its bad, tested by Memtest, they will send you new RAM.

The computer was turned off, and I turned off the switch on the back of the PSU. I just didn't disconnect the cables when pulling out the RAM modules.

Unplugging the PSU is not mandatory by any means. You problem is most likely a bad ground. I have changed hundreds of pieces of RAM without frying one while the PSU is plugged in. If anything, you want it plugged in, as it gives your PC a ground. But in your case, where you dont have grounded outlets, it wouldnt make a difference.

It doesn't give me a real shock. The chassis just feels different when "stroking" it when power is on. However, I am sure some charge is building up in the chassis. I guess this is normal when not using a grounded outlet?

It is absolutely NOT normal, even if you dont have a grounded outlet, for a case to feel like it has a charge. You need to get your wiring updated first of all. Running without a ground is risky at best. Plug the PC into a grounded outlet to see if the case still feels like its charged. Following that, Id hook a multimeter to the case to see if and how much voltage it is putting out. Next I would go through rig and make absolutely sure nothing is shorting out. If that is not the case, I would test directly on the PSU's case to see if the PSU has a small short in it. To do that, remove PSU from the case, short the green wire on the main ATX 20+4 pin mobo connector to one of the black wires using a paperclip or a jumper wire. This will turn on the PSU. Put the multimeter on a screw or some other area where you have bare metal on the PSU to get a reading. Under NO circumstances do you want to disassemble the PSU. You risk shocking yourself on a cap at that point as well as voiding the warranty. You need to get this issue worked out ASAP, as if you have a short, or a bad ground it will kill other components. Then it wont just be an RMA request to Corsair.

Quik note about ESD. I have never fried a component in the 12 years and 30+ pcs Ive assembled from ESD. You simply need to be intelligent about assembly. Dont stand/sit on carpet while assembling. Use a ground strap if you feel the need. I use a rubber mat under the case on my workbench, and I stand on concrete or linoleum. I dont use a strap. I touch the case before I install anything. I dont use magnetic screwdrivers. Use a screwdriver that has the little grabbers on it like this: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00941363000P?vName=Tools&cName=Hand+Tools%2C+General+Purpose&sName=Screwdrivers Assembly is just like anything. You do it wrong it goes boom. Biggest issue people have is ordering parts that dont work together well, being in a hurry, and not following instructions.

Hope this helps.

 

[TD86]

I did some research and it makes perfect sense that the case is charged when not using a grounded outlet. The PSU is connected to the outlet using a filter, which protects your system from peaks in the power mains and vice versa. This filter contains two capacitors that act as a voltage divider between the phase and zero wire of the main power lines, with the ground wire in the middle of the divider (I am not sure if these are the correct names as my native language is not English). Because the ground of the PSU is connected to the chassis, but in my case not to the ground wire of the power mains, half of the mains voltage will be on the chassis.

Bottom line: I need to ground my system and have been lucky I've only damaged the RAM module as it seems at the moment.

 

[Kaldor]

I talked a friend of mine about this who knows a heck of alot more about how a PSU works than I do.

He told me that yes, it is not unusual for a case to have a charge if the PSU is not grounded. However, he also said that if your feeling the charge when your touching the case, you most likely have a bad PSU. You still need to test the PSU and make it sure its not leaking voltage. I explained the steps on this before, and if it is, I would do an RMA/return on the PSU as well in this case. Coolermaster isnt well known for their great PSUs, so a switch to something higher quality may be in order.

 

[TD86]

I've tested the PSU and there is no voltage leaking. I've also checked the chassis and indeed there is 115V RMS on it. So never touch an ungrounded chassis and a grounded point at the same time 😉 Thanks for your help!