MSI Z97-G45 Gaming MOBO DIMM issue

[jackstar9292]

So, I have what seems to be a rather common issue I've heard as I continue to research more about the issue, and I'm hoping that it's not my board... but chances are it is my board. My (relevant) specs are as follows:

CPU: Intel I5-4690k
Heatsink: Cool Master Evo Hyper 212
GPU: Radeon HD 6970
Memory: 2 x 4GB DDR3-2133mhz G.Skill Ripjaws X
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 500gb SSD

So, when I first cracked open my new MOBO box and got a look at this beauty a few days ago I was overjoyed, but quickly became dismayed. At first I thought the pins were bent where the processor mounts, but that isn't the issue here. The issue is that whenever I stick my RAM into the third and fourth socket it literally does not boot up. I can turn it on, the fans go, power turns on and lights flash... except there's no picture on my monitor, the light to my keyboard doesn't boot up, and then it restarts itself before turning back on and resuming... again without any sound, picture, or keyboard use. I stick 1 RAM stick into the third or fourth slot, just one and no others, and it won't boot to the bios or OS, but if it's in the first and second slot then it runs no problem. Except for the first time I received a windows error - my screen went blue and pixelated as I was playing Skyrim for a split second before it rebooted. The error it gave was ProblemEventName: BlueScreen LocaleID:1033...

A quick google search will show that it's listed under a ram issue. So, I was hoping that it was ONLY my ram and decided to switch it out for 2 x 4g 2000 kingston ram from another system in my home. First and second slot no problem, yet if it goes into the third or fourth slot then same as before; no boot to BIOS or OS. I can't believe that two sets of RAM are faulty as I have the kingston's dual channeled in another system that has been running quite well for over two years now. I'm hoping anyone else has had this issue and solved it, because I really, REALLY, don't want to RMA my motherboard, but as far as I can tell I received a defective board and am going to need a new one from MSI. Can anyone help me out or just confirm what I think I already know to be true? Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[JLio01]

How did you check it? Always put the memory on DIMM_2 first and then DIMM_4, and then 1, 3.

 

[jackstar9292]

I checked by first putting it into 1 & 2, then 1 & 3, then 2 & 4, then 3 & 4, then just putting a single stick of ram into 1, then 2, then 3, then 4. 1 & 2 would always boot the system, any other combination wouldn't, and having just one stick of ram in either 1 or 2 would boot the system, but 3 or 4 would not.

 

[JLio01]

Should be fine with one stick on all DIMM...

 

[jackstar9292]

So, having a stick of ram on all four slots? I'll give it a whirl.

 

[jackstar9292]

Ninja reply: Alright, I set my ram settings to auto, clocking it all at the lowest frequency and had a stick of ram in slots 1-4, then 1-3, then 1 -2 - 4 and nada. As soon as they are out of slots 3 and 4 the PC boots up no problem.

 

[JLio01]

If one stick of ram doesn't boot up on either 3 or 4, then I think the board is defective cuz it should be no problem at all with one sitck on 3 or 4. 

 

[jackstar9292]

Yeah... sadly that's my conclusion as well, but I thought to get a second (and third) opinion just in case my own diagnostics were lacking. Part of me wants to just leave the problem, but I know it won't go away. Looks like I'll be RMA'ing my board - here's to hoping it doesn't take longer than two weeks to get another one back! I was really digging the BIOS interface and the better performance, too .