H8MI-E33 Possible Faulty RAM Slot?

[edmcgrath910100278]

So I was trying to upgrade my PC by utilizing the other RAM slot I had long left unused on my MSI H8MI-E33 MATX Motherboard, and when I installed the RAM and booted up the PC I found that all my peripherals weren't turning on. The monitor, the keyboard, the mouse, none of it was responsive but PC itself booted. I wasn't sure as to why this was so I did some light troubleshooting; I ran mdsched.exe and encountered no problems, I updated the BIOS and encountered no problems, I took a good look at the RAM slot itself and didn't see any bent pins or anything like that. I swapped out several different sticks of DDR3 RAM and made sure that the RAM was good, all with the same result. Whenever I boot with RAM in the slot in question, the same thing happens.

I can't think of anything else to try. Does anyone have any suggestions or think they could make a diagnosis? Is the slot just faulty?

Thanks.

 

[badboy2k]

have you tried your new RAM on its own?

also what RAM is it your using can you give the models of the sticks?

 

[jakub-p2]

You can do what 'badboy2k' suggested + maybe memtest, if it boots. As a rule of thumb RAM BitTraining is done after CPU init, but before PCI-E communication, so I bet there is a general problem with that slot - bent CPU socket pin, damaged trace, missing resistors

 

[edmcgrath910100278]

I tried the new RAM on its own. It works in the right slot but in the left slot I get the same problem. I suspect that Jakub is right and theres just something wrong with that RAM slot.

 

[badboy2k]

I tried the new RAM on its own. It works in the right slot but in the left slot I get the same problem. I suspect that Jakub is right and theres just something wrong with that RAM slot.

yes its either the slot itself has Debris in it or you may have a issue with the socket Pins under your CPU as they are very prone to being Damaged as there soft Gold and can bend easily and the CPU has the Memory Controller.

i would start off first by making sure the slot is clean. if you cam give them a clean with a Air Duster (Can of Compressed air) to see if that fixes it.

if that fails you would have to remove your CPU from the Socket and inspect the CPU Socket Pins with a Bright Light and Magnifier from Multiple angles especially on the side Facing the RAM Slots.

 

[edmcgrath910100278]

yes its either the slot itself has Debris in it or you may have a issue with the socket Pins under your CPU as they are very prone to being Damaged as there soft Gold and can bend easily and the CPU has the Memory Controller.

i would start off first by making sure the slot is clean. if you cam give them a clean with a Air Duster (Can of Compressed air) to see if that fixes it.

if that fails you would have to remove your CPU from the Socket and inspect the CPU Socket Pins with a Bright Light and Magnifier from Multiple angles especially on the side Facing the RAM Slots.

Thanks, if I did check out the CPU socket pins and saw one that was damaged, is it realistic to think that I might be able to fix it myself or would it be better to just forget about that RAM slot?

 

[badboy2k]

Thanks, if I did check out the CPU socket pins and saw one that was damaged, is it realistic to think that I might be able to fix it myself or would it be better to just forget about that RAM slot?

depends. if you have a steady hand you can use a small item like a Sewing pin and only nudge it back into position (do not use any force just use small nudges only to get it in line left and right and up and down) as there very soft so do not bend it back and forward as they will snap so remember very small movements only.

if you dont you could take the board to a Jeweller to have them do it as it just needs a steady hand to do it.

 

[edmcgrath910100278]

depends. if you have a steady hand you can use a small item like a Sewing pin and only nudge it back into position (do not use any force just use small nudges only to get it in line left and right and up and down) as there very soft so do not bend it back and forward as they will snap so remember very small movements only.

if you dont you could take the board to a Jeweller to have them do it as it just needs a steady hand to do it.

I have reasonable confidence in the steadiness of my hands. I'll take a look at the pins, see if I can identify a problem and try my hand at fixing it myself. I'll reply with updates once I get the chance.

Thanks everyone for your troubleshooting help.

 

[badboy2k]

have a good look and see what you find as a inactive RAM slot is 9/10 times a bent pin going to the channel its on between the socket and CPU.

 

[edmcgrath910100278]

Ok so I got in there and took a look, but I didn't see any bent pins. I can't rule out the possibility that I didn't catch it, but I'm pretty sure they were all straight.

 

[badboy2k]

Ok so I got in there and took a look, but I didn't see any bent pins. I can't rule out the possibility that I didn't catch it, but I'm pretty sure they were all straight.

ok down to 2 possibles then and both are hard to work out which one it is.

1: bad motherboard (something is broken on it between the CPU Socket and Slot)
2: you have a bad CPU that has a bad Memory Controller

its hard to which of the 2 it is without having another motherboard or CPU to test in it.