Question ROG Maximus V Gene - Dead Memory Slot

[amidMany]

I test installed my board without cooler installed to see if it booted with 4 sticks of matched memory (G.SKILL Trident X Series 8GB DDR3 2400) in XMP. It booted fine. powered down immediately. then screwed on the huge air cooler (Thermalright Macho Rev. A.)
It didn't boot after that. Got an "error code 53- Memory initialization error. Invalid memory type or incompatible memory speed". I'm wondering, did I overtighten the cooler? If so would loosening it let it work? did I break it? could I have broken other things? I'm tired of disassembling the machine.

 

[jay32267]

"I'm wondering, did I overtighten the cooler? "
I think it's possible.

If so would loosening it let it work?
I think that's also possible.

did I break it?
possibly.....although I would imagine you would have to crank it pretty hard

could I have broken other things?
I wouldn't think anything else but the MB.

I would remove the cooler and try booting and see what happens.

Perhaps you are just stressing the MB with the cooler....and stressing the slots and getting a bad connection.

If it boots without the cooler.....I'd put the cooler on....and go lighter with the install screws.....but they do need to be snug....but not cranked.