Need help please Ram not working

[Hammersdawn]

Hi All,

I have just experienced a similar issue, and reading this thread thought it relevant to add to it rather than create a new thread.

The Issue:
System Spec
Case: NZXT Phantom
MoBo: ASUS Rampage IV Extreme (3301)
CPU: Intel Core i7 3930K
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i
Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 16GB(4x4GB) DDR3 2400Mhz
GPU: ASUS nVidia GeForce GTX 690 4GB
SSD1: Samsung 840 Pro 256GB
SSD2: Crucial M4 256GB
SSD3: Crucial C300 256GB
Monitor: Samsung SA950 (1920x1080)

1. Yesterday evening I changed my CPU cooler from an Antec KÜHLER FLOW to the Corsair H100i, a very simple process without any installation issues.
2. Following the installation booted up and immediately was prompted "new processor installed" entered bios, set memory profile to XMP 2400, minor overclock to 4.3, checked the balance of settings, saved and restarted.
3. Immediately afterwards system would power but not post, manually reset bios system posted however noted that the system was now only showing 12GB Ram, and a message saying "Overclock failed".
4. Entered Bios, left default settings, saved and exited, system booted normally however only 12GB Ram.
5. Shutdown system and reseated all my modules, booted up but no luck only showing 12GB.

Note* Ram seating prior to any issues, A1-B1-C1-D1

6. Following manual slot testing it appeared C1 was not recognising the module.
7. Reseated Ram to A1-A2-B1-B2
8. Boot up 16GB detected, entered BIOS enabled XMP 2400 with 4.3 Overclock
9. Booted into Windows and ran Burn Test and other benches without issue
10. Ran Memtest - 100% pass
11. Shutdown, cold start - Bios post "Overclock Failed"
12. Reset BIOS, again XMP 2400, 4.3 Overclock, save restart, repeat all tests - 100% success
13. Shutdown, cold start - Bios post "Overclock Failed"

Now I am scratching my head, standard restarts no issue, cold start "Overclock Failed"

Anyone have any ideas, firstly why C1 would just stop working, secondly "Overclock Failed"

One last note, prior to new H100i installation, system has been stable with XMP 2400 and 4.3 Overclock for around 12 months.

[Hammersdawn]

Hi,

Once the memtest cycle finishes, I will try again reseating, I did think the clamp felt to tight but even when reseating was consistently stiff.

P.S. I just want to thank you for your assistance, if I didn't have someone to bounce this off, I would be really frustrated now....you a legend!

Memtest on 45% no errors

[Arne_Saknussemm]

Check you have the right screws mounted: http://forum.corsair.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112344

[Hammersdawn]

Hi,

Yeah the H screws are for the standard 2011 back plate, you don't need the cross bar back plate, if you use the cross bar back plate then you need to use the G screws, that was a pretty simple one to solve without the manual.

Thanks anyhow.

Ok memtest completed 100% successfully.

Removed cooling block, removed processor, checked for any pins that may be bent or otherwise, all good, seated processor, seated cooling block not too tight, moved memory modules back to A1-B1-C1-D1, booted up and.....wait for it....wait for it....12Gb....bugger

So just pulled out some old Kingston HyperX 1600 chips poped them in, same result 12Gb, so absolutely sure its not the memory now.

Where to from here.....hammer, chainsaw....nail gun.... 😛

Any thoughts?

[HiVizMan]

Did you do the memtest as per my guide?

And try this.

Start with only one stick in your system.

Post and go into OS, open CPUz and see which slot it is in.

Sounds stupid but trust me on this one.

Now power down.

Add the next stick or ram.

POST to OS and see which two slots are picked up. If they are picked up.

Power down.

Add one more stick.

Back to OS and see if it is picked up.

You can guess what is coming next.

Power down.

Add the last stick.

Is it picked up?

If NO

Then power down. And remove the first stick you put in.

Power on and POST to OS.

What do you see?

[Hammersdawn]

Hi,

I ran the tests off your guide, so yeah.

Just done the chip at a time test, the minute I put the module in C1 the system does not post and shuts down, if I hit the bios reset then it posts and displays 12Gb, you have to F1 to bios, set bios save and restart, system wont post and shuts down.

[HiVizMan]

OK you have a single dead memory slot.

That is sufficient reason for me to RMA the board.

[Hammersdawn]

Just stripped everything out, put original cooler on, put only one module in slot C1, no drives no other connections other than Gfx and same result.

I raise the white flag of defeat.......

Never had to RMA anything, dont even know what to do....

[HiVizMan]

Simple, contact the store you bought the motherboard from and tell them the slot is not working, end off.

Get a board that works perfectly and no problems.

[Hammersdawn]

Hi, Update:

I removed the mobo and processor and examined the socket with a high strength mounted magnifying glass, and would you believe it a pin that somehow bent the opposite direction and touching other pins, how this occurred is absolutely beyond me, using a hobby craft long nose pliers shifted the pin back to position however could not get the pin to rise.

Reseated the processor fully aware that the pin would not make contact, but at very least not touching any other pins.

System powered without issue C1 still not functioning, however any other combination excluding C1 works.

Ran Memtest, Prime95, Burntest multiple cycles with 100% success, system is stable without issues played multiple games without issue.

Now although seemingly a good sign and stable system, I somehow feel that one pin surely cant solely be responsible for slot C1.

[Nodens]

Actualy it can. In fact it can be responsible for more than 1 DIMM slot.