One of the RAM slots doesn't work and prevents motherboard from booting

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Hi

I have peculiar problem with my PC.
After recent cleaning (maybe 2 weeks ago) computer stopped booting. In my troubleshooting I have identified that it is second on the right slot that is faulty. When booting it would stop on ‘orange’ RAM debug led (waited up to 20 minutes). When taking out RAM out of faulty slot it booted within seconds.
There is also other peculiar thing, image on monitors shows when already booting to the system, instead of showing os selector and before.

Specs:
CPU: Ryzen 5 3600
MOBO: Asus prime b550 plus
RAM: 4 x 8 GB GoodRAM IRDM
dGPU: RX 7700xt

Troubleshooting process:

  1. checked each RAM module in the first slot, all booted.
  2. checked combinations of pairs in standard 2 module combination (2nd and 4th slots), all booted correctly (this is because second pair of RAMs was bought separately later)
  3. checked all 4 slots, in any mixup of modules, NOT booted
  4. checked 3 slot configuration, booted correctly
  5. tried clearing CMOS with official Asus guidence (standard pins short and take out batter and short + to - → link)
  6. rechecked power connections on GPU, MOBO, CPU and other with 4 DIMMS populated, still NOT booting
  7. disconnected all unnecessery (additional disks, wifi) things and tried with just basic image and kbd.

Cleaning process (as i remember):
It was mainly to dust off internals, not a deep clean.

  1. disconnected from AC, and internally.
  2. took out dGPU, RAM modules, PCIe wifi bt card, PSU.
  3. dust off
  4. reconnected/put in things
  5. slightly fixed up cable managment.
  6. and tried booting
    it strangly sometimes booted sometimes not, usually first boot was without image and on restart image showed up. And after week i started to work it out

Important: I did not removed CPU or it’s heatsink.
Also this system worked fully with all RAM modules and it normally showed boot selector.

Due to how strange behaviour it is Im not sure where exactly is fault. Maybe pins inside DIMM somehow bent (but i couldn’t determine that with flashlight).

So what can be cause of it, or did someone encounter this problem before ?

2

Never encountered the issue before, any warranty left on the board? If one doesn’t work you can always use the other dual ones and try not to worry about it(most people only need two sticks anyways). Any capacitors bulging or leaking?

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As far as i can no bulging or any damaga to the board. Not sure about warranty, i will have to check. Is there any way asus can show me if their mobo is under guatantee?

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Just checked, it is out of warrant according to asus, would have to check where did i buy and when and if store would take it.

5

Contact Asus as well, don’t expect much but always worth a try.

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6

Maybe there’s some dust in the RAM slot now and it’s not working anymore? Maybe you flexed the PCB too much when handling the motherboard and something broke inside? Check if there are any missing components or scratches on the back of the motherboard and missing components on the front. Very tiny resistors or capacitors and stuff like that.

As useful as a rock to wipe your ass. I bugged them for months because a BIOS update made my 3700X totally crap out with 3600MHz memory I had previously used without issues. They have agents googling stuff for you, not worth contacting them.

2 Likes
7

Thanks for answering i will try again to dust off.
In regards to missing components or flexing i did not move motherboard out of pc case as it is a bother. So there should not be any.

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Just because someone had issue doesn’t mean another will.

Also to downgrade a bios is the same as updating one pretty well as long as you have the file it shouldn’t be a issue. Let’s try and help instead of complaining

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I’ve never upgraded or downgraded bios version. This the same as it came from the box.

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10

I also have a dead ram slot.

It’ not common.

I also checked for debris inside the socket, for springs that might not be engaging the stick once inserted.

I checked for broken PCB traces.

I did Not remove the CPU to see if a pin/some pins went wrong.

I just live with only 7/8 slots populated, and don’t have 4-channel ram or whatever.

4 Likes
11

Dead slots happen. I had to return my first B650I Aorus Ultra for that same reason.
It sucks but there usually isn’t much you can do to fix such a problem. You could try reflowing the solder as a last resort, but that’s as likely to kill something else as it is to fix the slot. I’d just buy a replacement board, B550 platform isn’t generally expensive, and Prime are ASUS’ budget line anyway.

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12

glad it’s not just me and OP…

We all crave validation

on this blessed day… /s/s/s/s/s

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13

Not a traditional solution, but try soaking the board in penetrating oil before tossing it in the trash. I’ve had so many computer related peripherals oxidize lately.

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I think I’ve given some reasonable suggestions on how to fix this issue. About contacting Asus for debugging I reported my experience not meaning to extend it to everyone else on earth.
I’ve not had issues with warranty with them, but it was a long time ago.

Didn’t mean to trigger you with my comment on Asus. We’re chilling and being helpful here. You, me and everyone else.

15

Thank you for all the answers, feel relieved that it’s not just my bad luck, but a quiet common issue that arises.

Will resolve it later, depending how buyers will react.

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What sucks is if you upgrade the ram down the line and it does this crap out of return window or warranty

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