Memory Channel Dead?

[nfwego]

I had been getting some higher temps when transcoding HD video lately, so I decided to switch out the stock intel cpu cooler for a cooler master Hyper 212 evo. When I booted back up I got a message that I had installed a new cpu (I took it out to clean off old thermal paste) and would I like to go to Bios to set it up or just choose the defaults. I don't overclock so I chose the defaults. Once it boots up, I do some video transcoding, great temps...so the cpu cooler is working great. I notice tough I only have 8GB of RAM. (12gb is installed, 3 - 4gb memory modules). I restart and the pc starts up...then stops. starts up, then stops...then finally starts up and boots to windows. I figure one of the memory modules is bad. I swap them all out try different things but none of them seem bad. It turns out it is my first channel on the board that is not working. I can get it to boot normally with memory in the second and third channels but not the first, regardless of which 2 of the three modules I use. Is something wrong with my first channel, or did I mess something up when I chose default cpu setup? Is there a setting I need to change to get all three channels working again?

The Asus forums suggested that when I reinserted the CPU, I may have damaged a pin that controls the "A channel". Before I take everything apart I am looking for different answers. Also...I would think if the cpu is seating incorrectly or there is a damaged pin, I would have other issues BSOD's, error messages, but I don't. I also ran Intel's cpu diagnostic and stress test and it passed.

My rig...
i7960 not overclocked
Asus p6x58-Epro
12GB corsair Vengeance (3x4gb modules)
EVGA GTX460

 

[nfwego]

Nevermind. I took it apart and reseated everything. There may have been a small piece of dust in there. Its all working now. MOds feel free to delete.