Ram Slot Problem - Reward for solution

4386 Views 20 Replies 4 Participants Last post by hhnq04, Mar 14, 2011

ThaBurningAce

Discussion Starter · Mar 11, 2011

Hi

1 Week ago my computer broke down and a smell of burned plastic filled my room. I assumed it was the PSU that had crashed and I got it replaced a couple of days after. Everything was working well at that point, except that my CPU got way too hot (90-100c), so I replaced my CPU cooler.

Now another problem has occurred with my ram slots. (I'm not sure if it has something to do with the problems mentioned above)
I got 6 slots of ram (6x2gb), for some reason the 3rd slot is suddenly screwed. If I got ram in the third slot my computer won't start. Fine, I'll live with 10 gigs of ram, but the problem is that my computer only takes use of slot 1 + 2 (4 gigs of ram) even though I got 4, 5, 6 plugged in.
What's weird is that in the windows control panel I'm able to see I got 10 gigs of ram plugged in, but in the Taskmanager it only shows 4093mb available ram.
I've tried everything I could possibly think of(I only know the basics of computer hardware), so now I'm asking you guys for help!
I'm willing to reward the person who can help me fix this problem with 100$ (Paypal only)

System specs: Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit), Gigabyte EX58-UD4P, Intel Core i7 920, GTX 285.

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1 - 20 of 21 Posts

linderman

· #2 · Mar 11, 2011

there is no need to pay anyone to help you; thats why we are here! If you get your problem solved and wish to donate to this site; by all means it will be appreciated.

sounds to me like your motherboard may have some bad ram slots but we should eliminate the possibility of defective memory first

I suggest you download the bootable version of memtest ISO

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

here is the how to guide for memtest

http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f149/how-to-burn-a-bootable-iso-file-341778.html

then remove all ram except one stick in the slot closest to the cpu / boot the computer and enter into the memtest utility (make sure in your bios the boot order is set to boot from the dvd rom drive as first boot device)

test each memory stick for one hour

if all sticks pass / then I would RMA the board back to gigabyte for replacement

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ThaBurningAce

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 11, 2011

I'm 99.9% that it's a ram slot that's broken.
I've already tested all the ram in another computer and there was no problem there.

I'm pretty sure that I got no warranty left on the board.
That's why I'm looking for a solution to this problem.
Is there any way to continue using ram slot 1,2,4,5,6? Is it normal that if one ram slot is broken, the slots after the broken slot won't work? I don't get why my computer only takes use of the 2 first slots but the full amount of ram connected is showing in the control panel.

linderman

· #4 · Mar 11, 2011

download and use cpu-z / in the memory tabs (there are two) you will see where you can drop down a menu and check to see if cpu-z can communicate with the memory or not (if it can communicate with the memory it will give you the name and model number of each stick of ram in each slot

motherboards are generally warranteed for 3 years by gigabyte / what makes you think you dont have any more warranty period

ThaBurningAce

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 11, 2011

CPU-Z detects all the ram I got plugged in. (10 gigs)
What could make my computer only use 4 of 10 available?

linderman

· #6 · Mar 11, 2011

which version of windows are you running 32bit or 64bit

ThaBurningAce

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 11, 2011

64bit for sure

I was running 12 gigs 1 week ago. After the third slot broke, the computer only uses 4 out of 10.

linderman

· #8 · Mar 11, 2011

hmmmm havent seen that exact issue before; but then again the X58 chipset boards are still pretty new / I woulkd say head over to the gigabyte website and start a request for RMA

the system is certainly not going to run anywhere near its potential in its current condition

ThaBurningAce

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 11, 2011

I got a total of 6 slots. There's 2gigs in slot 1,2,4,5,6. It's the third slot that is somehow broken. The screen stays black and it seems like it never actually gets past the starting process if I have ram in the third slot.

ThaBurningAce

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 11, 2011

Okay, there's nothing you can do in the bios settings? I was thinking some option that would only allow the computer to use 4gigs/2 slots.

mcorton

· #11 · Mar 11, 2011

Does the RAM chip in the 3rd slot appear to be burnt? When I burned a RAM chip it smelled similar to burning plastic. It eventualy took out my PSU so the RAM issue may have caused the other problems. I also wanted to ask if you use a surge protector.

ThaBurningAce

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 11, 2011

No, not at all.

I checked the ram and slot, no signs of any melted plastic.

mcorton

· #13 · Mar 11, 2011

What power supply did you have originally and what did you replace it with? Have to checked the CPU you replaced to see if it was faulty?

ThaBurningAce

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 11, 2011

It's an Energon EPS-750W.
It's the exact same PSU as the one I replaced. I had another one

mcorton

· #15 · Mar 11, 2011

I agree the motherboard is at fault.

ThaBurningAce

Discussion Starter · #16 · Mar 11, 2011 (Edited)

Alright. I'm probably gonna drop it off at an computer shop or something and have them take a look at it. I don't really wanna wait for the manufactory to look at it, I need it fixed asap., that's why I'm looking for a quick solution.

Anyways thanks for your help!
Please note, that if anyone is able to find a solution for this problem, the offer still stands.

linderman

· #17 · Mar 11, 2011

ThaBurningAce said:
Alright. I'm probably gonna drop it off at an computer shop or something and have them take a look at it. I don't really wanna wait for the manufactory to look at it, I need it fixed asap., that's why I'm looking for a quick solution.

Anyways thanks for your help!
Please note, that if anyone is able to find a solution for this problem, the offer still stands.

well if you are in a hurry; buy another board just like the one you have / RMA your existing board to Gigabyte; when the replaced board comes back sell it on ebay.

I strongly suggest you get yourslef a better quality power supply; that is what most likely caused your whole mess to begin with! I googled a lot of web pages for your power supply model; not one webpage ever began to talk about efficiency rating / hold-up time / PFC / operating temp range or any other critical info which helps determine the quality and true rating of a power supply; all indications are that unit is a bottom feeder.

Nothing but headaches and component failure when running a high end system on a bargain power supply.

Corsair 850-TX V2 would have been my choice I always advise my customers the Cpu / Motherboard / Video Card / Power Supply should all be in the same class & cost.

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ThaBurningAce

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 11, 2011

Yeah, I should probably get the PSU replaced.
I don't know a lot about the PSU either, I bought this computer solid, haven't build it myself.

ThaBurningAce

Discussion Starter · #19 · Mar 11, 2011

I was also thinking of buying a new graphic card.
Which graphic card would you guys recommend, one that performs good and is 3D capable?
I've been looking at the Nvidia GF GTX 480, is it any good?

linderman

· #20 · Mar 11, 2011

yes the GTX 480 is a good card / so is the ati 6950 and 6970

I would say sell off your 285gtx on ebay; those are still decent for someone that doesnt have the cash to reach the top shelf video cards but still wants high performance

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

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