Question Help, Help, I'm being repressed!

[heyscot1]

I have two RAM sticks. I've quadruple-checked the placement (where they are meant to be installed and which slots) and I have the following problems:

1. Each individual RAM slot works in slot 1 and allows the computer to boot properly.
2. If I add a second RAM stick to slot 2, it will not boot.

What's up with that?

Scot

 

[kanewolf]

I have two RAM sticks. I've quadruple-checked the placement (where they are meant to be installed and which slots) and I have the following problems:

1. Each individual RAM slot works in slot 1 and allows the computer to boot properly.
2. If I add a second RAM stick to slot 2, it will not boot.

What's up with that?

Scot

Were these two RAM sticks purchased as a matched pair?
What are the part numbers of the two sticks ?

 

[Wolfshadw]

Would also help to know the exact model of the motherboard in question

Bloody Peasant! [/snicker]

-Wolf sends

 

[Third-Eye]

I have two RAM sticks. I've quadruple-checked the placement (where they are meant to be installed and which slots) and I have the following problems:

1. Each individual RAM slot works in slot 1 and allows the computer to boot properly.
2. If I add a second RAM stick to slot 2, it will not boot.

What's up with that?

Scot

What are the system specs?

 

[heyscot1]

Okay, I think the plot is thickening, guys.

Here's the RAM I initially had the trouble with:
Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600) Intel XMP 2.0 Desktop Memory Model TLZGD416G3200HC16CDC01

Here's the mobo: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z490-A-PRO/Specification

I just finished testing and found the following results:

1. Both sticks of RAM work in slot 1. There are four potential slots: 1 2 3 4. RAM is meant to be installed in 1 and 3 first, and then 2 and 4.
2. If I install either of the second RAM sticks in slot 3, the system won't boot.
3. I took the RAM out of my other computer and tried using it instead.
4. The exact same thing happened.

This mobo is brand spanking, so my current thinking is that I have a bad RAM port. What do you guys think?

Scot

 

[Wolfshadw]

MSI Z490-A Pro Motherboard Manual
Ref: Pg. 27

Just to be clear, with the CPU socket to the left of the RAM slots and counting RAM slots from Left to Right, you're installing the RAM modules in the second and fourth RAM slots (DIMMA2/DIMMB2)?

Both sticks of RAM work in slot 1. There are four potential slots: 1 2 3 4. RAM is meant to be installed in 1 and 3 first, and then 2 and 4.

Based in this, it sounds like you're installing in DIMMA1/DIMMB1.

-Wolf sends

 

[kanewolf]

Okay, I think the plot is thickening, guys.

Here's the RAM I initially had the trouble with:
Team T-FORCE VULCAN Z 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600) Intel XMP 2.0 Desktop Memory Model TLZGD416G3200HC16CDC01

Here's the mobo: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z490-A-PRO/Specification

I just finished testing and found the following results:

1. Both sticks of RAM work in slot 1. There are four potential slots: 1 2 3 4. RAM is meant to be installed in 1 and 3 first, and then 2 and 4.
2. If I install either of the second RAM sticks in slot 3, the system won't boot.
3. I took the RAM out of my other computer and tried using it instead.
4. The exact same thing happened.

This mobo is brand spanking, so my current thinking is that I have a bad RAM port. What do you guys think?

Scot

I would say bent pin in CPU socket as the first possible cause.

 

[heyscot1]

Thanks Wolfie! Let me check. . . just a second. . .

Here's the RAM I'm using from one of my other systems that I've verified works. It's having the same trouble as the newer RAM, but it appears that it fits within the specifications of the mobo, being DDR4 3000 RAM: https://www.newegg.com/team-16gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820313777?Item=N82E16820313777

Here's what happened when I install both modules according to that different configuration:

One stick in DIMMA2: Flashing DRAM and CPU light, will not boot:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlFVaMhJH48

One stick in DIMMA2 and DIMMB2: Flashing DRAM and CPU light, will not boot:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCOD2JPlrtg

One stick in DIMMB2: Successful boot.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT028aEE7fs


Help me Obi-wan Kenobi. You're my only hope.

 

[Wolfshadw]

Am I missing something or is slot DIMMB1 missing the top retention clip? If it is and it came that way. I'd definitely be returning that board. I can't say how or even if that is what's causing the issue, but you should not have received it that way (unless it was a refurbish).

-Wolf sends

 

[Third-Eye]

@heyscot1

Put both modules back in and then reset the bios from the cmos jumper or just pull the battery for 3-4 minutes. Start the system again after resetting the bios.

 

[heyscot1]

I would say bent pin in CPU socket as the first possible cause.

@kanewolf I'll check that out. What makes you think that? I didn't even know that such a thing could occur.

 

[heyscot1]

Am I missing something or is slot DIMMB1 missing the top retention clip? If it is and it came that way. I'd definitely be returning that board. I can't say how or even if that is what's causing the issue, but you should not have received it that way (unless it was a refurbish).

-Wolf sends

@Wolfshadw Good eye! Yes, it's missing a retention clip. It's my fault--I disconnected it and it's somewhere in there.

@heyscot1

Put both modules back in and then reset the bios from the cmos jumper or just pull the battery for 3-4 minutes. Start the system again after resetting the bios.

@Third-Eye I pulled the CMOS battery for ten minutes, put it back in, same issue.

@kanewolf I have taken the CPU out. There is a little thermal paste on some of the copper pins on the bottom of the cpu. I have cleaned the bottom of the cpu with rubbing alcohol and pat-dried it with a microfiber cloth, and it is now drying on top of the desk. I will try it again and let you know what happens.

Is it possible that my mobo is bad?

 

[kanewolf]

There is a little thermal paste on some of the copper pins on the bottom of the cpu. I have cleaned the bottom of the cpu with rubbing alcohol and pat-dried it with a microfiber cloth, and it is now drying on top of the desk. I will try it again and let you know what happens.

That could be the problem. Thermal compound can be non-conductive preventing connection. Unfortunately, it can be conductive causing shorts.
No way to know if any damage was done.

 

[heyscot1]

Okay guys, I'm giving up. I'm RMAing the mobo and processor. I don't know what else to do at this point. STAY TUNED FOR THE FURTHER MISADVENTURES!
Edit: Thank you so much for your help.