RAM-slot peg is trapped by graphics card :|

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quixoticduck

quixoticduck

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Hi, I was attempting to install RAM when I noticed that one of the peg things (the things at either end which flip up and down) was already open/down and that the graphics card is placed over it. There is no way to close the peg. >.>

I got this computer from somebody I no longer know, I've never moved a graphics card before. I haven't even installed RAM before.

What are my options? Will the RAM still work if the peg is open? Does it do more than hold it in place? Even just installing this RAM is proving hard, it won't click in the other slot either so I don't know if I am up to moving the graphics card unless it is easy and risk-free. There were so many thick wires in the way, I thought that was my main problem but no. :|

There are two 1GB sticks already installed in my a8n-sli mobo and I've one more GB stick that I'm trying to install now and if successful I was going to purchase one more GB stick, or use the 512mb stick I also have (I know you're not supposed to mix amounts, but would it still be better than leaving the 512mb stick out?)

(Please nobody tell me to get a new computer/motherboard as I've just spend ages installing a SSD, a new OS, acquiring this RAM and it was my first foray into this type of thing and still works tons better than I'm used to just because of the SSD. I'd prefer to stick with 2GB RAM than getting an entirely new computer but it is annoying not to be able to utilise 64-bit Windows now I have it.)

Thanks.
 
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wiggbot


The latch you're looking for will reside at the extreme right of the pci slot. Usually, you just press up slightly and it should come out. Judging by your picture, it should be in the vicinity of where its says MSI, except against the mobo.

If there is no latch, the card should just come out with a little bit of effort. Don't force it!
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wiggbot

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When you insert RAM, it'll force the tab closed. Thus, if your video card is in the way, you've got a problem/

You say that there are already sticks of RAM in there, but only of the 1 GB variety. While you aren't willing to spend money on a new mobo, perhaps spending a little to replace the older RAM with something of higher capacity would solve your problem. RAM is dirt cheap these days.
 
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quixoticduck

quixoticduck

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It can only take DDR RAM so it isn't cheap and can't really get 2GB sticks. :( This is my only problem so I'm not going to replace my motherboard/computer just for this although it would be nice.
 
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quixoticduck

quixoticduck

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Is this a lot harder to do than installing RAM? It really looks very daunting to move. It's this one. http://uk.msi.com/product/vga/N450GTS-Cyclone-1GD5-OC.html

It really wasn't something I was banking on doing when I started installing RAM and I don't want to break an otherwise functional computer which I've spent weeks learning how to upgrade (everything else was successful). :| Especially given the guy installing it clearly messed it up slightly, I might too. :|
 
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wiggbot

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Ah, I see that now. Could you take a picture? It may be possible to trim the peg a little to make it fit.

Also, unless I'm mistaken, that's a board designed for SLI. That is unless my google skills suck :D

If this is the case, could moving the video card to the lower slot be a possible fix?
 
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quixoticduck

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OK it was quite hard to get a photo
IMG_20130319_210143.jpg
sorry it isn't a good photo but you can see in the middle there is a tiny grey rectangle on this side of the graphics card board when it should be on the other side. :(

The problem isn't the video card being too big, because other RAM slots are fine, it's that it's been installed on top of the open RAM peg. I've never moved a graphics card before. If I knew how to remove it and replace it safely I'd be ok but it's quite daunting and I don't want to break my PC.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Yes, you need to remove the graphics card first.
It is not hard to do.
1. Disconnect your monitor cables.
2. Unscrew the screws that hold the card tight to the rear I/o panel.
3. optionally, you can disconnect the psu power lead.
4. Now, comes the tricky part. Underneath the graphics card, near the end of the pcie slot, you will find a latch that is locking the card to the slot. You will have to move that latch to the side so that it opens. It is lightly spring loaded so while you hold the latch open, you will be able to lift the card directly up out of the slot. Our fat fingers don't fit there very well, so use a long thin screwdriver to move the latch.

With the card out, you can install/reseat the ram. The ram latch is designed so that when closed fully, it will not interfere with the pcie-slot or what is in it.
 
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quixoticduck

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Ok what the heck I'm going to try and remove the graphics card. I've unscrewed the screw and am about to pull out the cables but can't see a latch (the youtube video I watched had one). The card is wobbly but I don't know how to pull it out.
 
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quixoticduck

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Thanks. Just saw your comment. I don't see a latch but I'll try and look harder. Also none of the youtube videos mentioned monitor cables. :S I can try googling but I don't really know any of the technical stuff you said. I've done a ton of research the past weeks but none of it was graphics card related.
 
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quixoticduck

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I unscrewed the screw attaching it to the side of the case but I can't see how else it is attached. It wobbles but won't come out. youtube is full of different graphics cards all with different ways of removal. Nothing seems to match mine. :( I feel like I nearly broke something when I was fiddling with a possible latch with a screwdriver. I know you guys said it is easy but I really don't get what to do. :(
 
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quixoticduck

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Here is a photo of my computer/the graphics card area
IMG_20130319_220606.jpg

There are a few things which look like they might be latches but then they look quite far from the graphics card. Some of the removals on youtube don't have latches, not sure how to tell if mine has them.
 
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wiggbot

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The latch you're looking for will reside at the extreme right of the pci slot. Usually, you just press up slightly and it should come out. Judging by your picture, it should be in the vicinity of where its says MSI, except against the mobo.

If there is no latch, the card should just come out with a little bit of effort. Don't force it!
 
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quixoticduck

quixoticduck

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I think I've found it but I can't seem to move the latch at all :|
 
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wiggbot

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RAM takes a little more force than you'd think. Still, don't force it!

When inserting RAM, make sure:
-it's actually the correct RAM
-you're lining up the notch in the RAM to the bump in the RAM slot
-the tabs are set in the 'open' position

You want to firmly push both top corners down at the same time. It'll probably click and the tabs will most likely automatically close when you know it's in properly.
 
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quixoticduck

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SUCCESSSSS!!!! :D Thanks guys. :)
So the lesson I've learnt today is just be really forceful :p both with RAM and graphics cards
one of the slots was so hard to do, it wouldn't do both at once and kept doing either side on its own but never both. My brother forced it in in the end.

I'm actually slightly glad that the guy I got this from put the graphics card in a dumb way, it meant stress and sore thumbs but I've learnt some stuff. :) And also discovered that computers are much less fragile than I thought, both in forcing stuff and in accidentally brushing against components.

I turned it on and at first it wouldn't boot but it's done that before anyways. Second time it did and says 3.5 memory installed, 3gb useable, which apparently might be to do with the BIOS settings, something to do with disabling "DRAM Over 4gb Remapping", I'm going to look into that now. At least I didn't break anything though! :D

Btw, if I can get more than 3gb to be useable, how much of a boost will I get in swapping the 512mb stick for a 1gb stick (my three 1gb sticks are pc3200, as is my 512mb stick). Everything is now running in single channel rather than double like it was. That was to be expected, would changing the stick make much of a difference?
 
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wiggbot

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Oftentimes, the video card is in the top most pci-e slot because that is where it has the fastest interface. So yeah, if you have a cramped board, a big cpu cooler, and a large video card, things get fun real quick.

I'm not sure what sort of boost you'll get. Now that you're all practiced up, swapping that RAM will be a non-issue! :D
 
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quixoticduck

quixoticduck

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I don't know if it's cramped. It seemed it when trying to do stuff inside but the case is huge compared to my old computer (I realise it seems odd to think of a computer with a 2005 motherboard as 'new' but it is to me!) :p I rearranged the cables which were also trapped under the graphics card so now I shouldn't have to deal with as many cables if I do change the RAM.

I also put the 512mb stick in the easiest to get to RAM-slot which was also the one which was much easier to put the RAM into once I figured it out (the other slot was much more difficult to put RAM into, although I suppose it might have been the RAM which was more difficult) so should be easy to change. Still can't believe he (guy who built PC) put the graphics card over the leg/clamp of the RAM slots and stuffed/trapped some cables underneath there too. xD

Alas the BIOS thingy I tried did not enable more than 3GB useable memory. If I can't figure that out on my own should I start another thread or continue here? :)
 
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quixoticduck

quixoticduck

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You're probably right, but I don't even know what SLI is/the moving thing. Another thing for me to research, not that I need to now this is fixed. :p
 
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