Could All 8 RAM Sticks Be Faulty?!?!?!

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simplepinoi177

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My Build:
CPU = Intel Core i7-5820K Haswell-E 6-Core 3.3 GHz LGA 2011-v3 140W BX80648I75820K
Cooler = Corsair Hydro Series H115i Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler CW-9060027-WW
MB = ASRock Fatal1ty X99X Killer LGA 2011-v3
RAM = CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 32GB (8 x 4GB) 288-Pin SDRAM DDR4 2400 (PC4 19200) C14 Quad-Channel Memory Kit - Black Model CMK16GX4M4A2400C14
PSU = EVGA 220-PS-1000-V1 80 PLUS Platinum 1000W
GPU = EVGA GeForce GTX 960 04G-P4-3969-KR 4GB FTW GAMING w/ACX 2.0+
(of course there are more parts, but no more is relevant to this thread)

After pressing the POWER button, all fans and lights turn on, but my computer does not display anything (the monitor doesn't even wake up from sleep) and it displays Q code "53" in Dr. Debug. Supposedly, this is a RAM issue.
*All is done with only the motherboard, CPU cooler, and graphics card plugged into the PSU* I have removed all 8 ram chips from their slots. I have removed and re-seated the CPU and CPU cooler. I put in one RAM chip in slot DDR4_A1. I put one single different ram chip in each slot one at a time. I put a different RAM chip in slot DDR4_A1. I have pressed and held the Clear CMOS button on the back panel and it started the motherboard after I let go. I have used the jumper switch on the MB (for 20 seconds) in attempt to reset the MB. I unplugged the PSU, waited 1 minute, then removed the CMOS battery for 15 seconds, and then inserted it back in. I cannot think of anything else to debug/troubleshoot this.

So it is either the motherboard or the RAM sticks. After researching for a bit, both the x99x and x99, boards don't have much Q code 53 issues. Usually the RAM just needed to be fitted in more properly in the slots or RAM needed to be upgraded or changed. So if it is not the motherboard...could all 8 of my sticks really be faulty? I mean, as I had put a single different RAM stick in each/a different slot, there's no way that it shouldn't have POSTed at least once...right??? Unless something was wrong with the RAM stick; but since they were all varying in stick and slot, then would it be that all 8 sticks are faulty?!?!

Any thoughts or ideas?
 
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I had this happen to me too! You know what ended up working for me? I wasn’t pushing the RAM sticks hard enough. At least for the x99x, you have to push the sticks til you see plastic lock thingy move and pin down the stick. If it isn’t that, maybe you really should get a new batch of RAM
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Ironsounds

Ironsounds

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Hello... Typically you need to make sure you have enough Voltage set for Eight if they are NEW? Any time you start moving the RAM around you need to let the MB BIO's/CMOS re-read their locations and set the proper communication to them.

Let's try a proper "battery removal" AND CMOS reset Clear to the MB ...ok? B /
Take your time here and be slow and careful to your MB... look in your MB manual/Pdf for pictures and location of the SW/pins. B )
1) un-plug PS from wall.
2) remove MB battery
3) place jumper pins/switch on MB to clear the capacitors... for ~3 mins
4) remove Jumper/switch
5) re-install battery
6) plug monitor into the MB video output OR Video card for a BOOT display, And set your monitor for that cable input.
8) plug in PS to wall
9) Boot computer.
 
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simplepinoi177

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Thanks for the response Ironsounds! I forgot to mention that I did place jumper switch on the MB to clear the capacitors, I just didn't do it for 3 minutes. This is a brand new build with no initial POST or any kind of setting done yet.
But I will try your method with the battery removal and CMOS reset. Thank you again.
 
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simplepinoi177

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Thank you for responding...I appreciate the help/suggestions.
That's what I was worried about too. I can't imagine that it doesn't when it supports the 2666 MHz version of the RAM. But in any case, I did find that it does list it compatible at this site CLICK HERE . So...at least somewhere it says that it should work (as i imagine it should because it follows pretty much all the specs/requirements of the MB for RAM chips...)
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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1) I doubt it's a memory support issue.
Memory with no BIOS profile runs at a default, relatively safe frequency/timing profile.

*BTW, you've got a dedicated button for clearing the CMOS. No need to jumper.

2) Motherboard DOA is my current guess.

3) CPU, or CPU cooler is my next guess (can you hear the pump, and are the CPU fans spinning)

4) You can try selecting the 2nd BIOS. I doubt that is the issue, but it's easy.

5) REMOVE all components not currently necessary:
a) Remove video card (use iGPU through motherboard)
b) HDD, SSD, or DVD
c) no case connections (nothing... you can use the POWER switch on the motherboard itself to turn it on)

I believe that leaves:
a) CPU
b) CPU cooler (confirm pump noise and fan spinning... )
c) main 24-pin power cable
d) CPU 8-pin power cable
e) single stick of memory in the far left slot

Summary:
At this point i can only think to contact Tech Support. Your motherboard says it is a memory issue, but I doubt the memory is the actual cause.

That mainly leaves the motherboard itself.
 
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apk24

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This might sound dumb/insulting, but did you double check to make sure RAM was fully seated, the locking clips were in as far as they go? It's happened to me a few times (especially in systems with more than 4 ram slots) that I hear the click of the locking clips coming up, but they aren't in the fully locked position and the RAM isn't fully seated. Don't force it, but a little pressure on the locking clips is usually enough to secure it.

Other than that, the only thing I can think of is either the RAM kit or the Mobo is bust.
 
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simplepinoi177

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Thank you for your response. You have my gratitude.
3) I do see the CPU fans going.
4) I was thinking that myself as the 2nd BIOS is sort of a "rescue" one...but I don't hold out much hope for it either.
5) I have tried these and still a no-go :??:
I have contacted Tech Support, but ASRock rather sucks and you cannot call them directly and can only leave a contact form and attempt at explaining the issue. We'll see if they get back to me or are helpful. I am hoping it is not the motherboard and I'll have to wait for it to get replaced versus a troubleshooting method. Also, I thought hardware that are DOA are "dead" and don't function/power up at all....


You also have my thanks for responding. I truly appreciate it.
The RAM is fully seated; I'm sure. That's why I'm asking; can a RAM kit of 8 all be "bust"? Especially as I had varying sticks and slots to be sure it was fully seated at least 1 out of the 8.... :heink:
 
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simplepinoi177

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I have done the Cmos clears and one stick at a time...but I will try 4 sticks...thanks for the suggestion...
 
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simplepinoi177

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Here's an update...
I did try 4 sticks in the A1, B1, C1, D1 slots as well as the A2, B2, C2, D2 slots. No go. Also taking out the CMOS battery for 15 minutes was no bueno as well.

Ended up putting in a "Support Request Form," in which I gave all pertinent information. Never got a response from them after 2 weeks. But I was able to find a phone number online to call them on and spoke with technical support. After listing everything I've done to troubleshoot, the tech agreed that it most likely is a defective MB. As the code points to memory issues or maybe cpu (but most of the time memory), he figured that it really couldn't be likely that all 8 chips couldn't work although he still did ask if I had seated them properly (like after doing all that troubleshooting with 8 separate sticks, I had never seated them properly). After all of this, I REALLY hope that it doesn't end up (by process of elimination) that it is the CPU.

So, as it is still within 30 days of purchase, I am currently getting Newegg to replace the MB (vs. after 30 days of purchase but within a year would be on ASRock).

In conclusion, it doesn't seem to be the memory or CPU that caused this Q code error 53; it was a defective motherboard. It is supremely highly unlikely that 8 RAM chips could all be defective at the same time.
(*just a thought; would anyone like to do the calculation on the odds of that would be and/or how many possible combinations could you do with 8 chips and 8 slots [I tried to calculate this, but got out of my league when thinking to also include the possibility of 1 chip in all slots, then 2 chip combinations, then 3 chip combinations, etc.])

P.S. I wish you could pick your own post "...as the solution" so it would properly conclude and title this topic...
 
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simplepinoi177

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UPDATE

Some interesting results just happened! I received my replacement motherboard from Newegg, spent bunch of hours reconnecting everything on the motherboard, and lo and behold...!!!! CODE 53?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? :??::??::??::??::??:

So, there's a further chance that maybe 8 RAM chips can all be defective at the same time. :heink::heink::heink: I am in the process of getting the CPU exchanged, but I am not expecting much. I can't imagine what is going on here! If it's not the motherboard...I can't really imagine it being the CPU...so is it the RAM (which odds are majorly against) or did I get two defective motherboards IN A ROW?!?!?!

We shall see...I'll keep this updated...
 
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apk24

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That's either some really bad luck, or really bad luck. How often is the cpu the problem? What are the odds of getting two defgective motherboards? What're the odds of all eight RAM sticks being faulty?
 
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simplepinoi177

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RIGHT?!?!?!?!?!?! WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING HERE?!?!?! :spamafote::spamafote::spamafote::spamafote::spamafote::spamafote::spamafote:
 
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simplepinoi177

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Just an update...

I tried another DDR4 RAM on the new replaced motherboard and still the Code 53...

So it does seem to be either the CPU or another faulty motherboard...:??::??::??:

Well, the new CPU is coming in the next few days so we'll see....
 
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simplepinoi177

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So....an interesting albeit expected UPDATE...

Put in a brand spankin' new Intel Core i7-5820K Haswell-E 6-Core 3.3 GHz LGA 2011-v3 140W BX80648I75820K exactly...the one stick of RAM in the A1 slot and powered it up...
lo and behold....Code 53.... (edit: I even tried a different DDR4 RAM!)

I cannot believe this...! This is so much getting on my nerves...! Did I really get two motherboards with the SAME defect AND the SAME error code caused by the SAME defect?!?!?!?! :colere::colere::colere::colere::colere:
I'm at my wits end... I can only think of a couple more ideas before I'm completely kaput...Can I seriously have this bad of luck; as bad a luck as this defect seemingly has gotten through to all that is on this x99x batch?!?!?
 
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kamatis09

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I had this happen to me too! You know what ended up working for me? I wasn’t pushing the RAM sticks hard enough. At least for the x99x, you have to push the sticks til you see plastic lock thingy move and pin down the stick. If it isn’t that, maybe you really should get a new batch of RAM
 
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apk24

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That was my first suggestion. OP claims the RAM was all the way in.
 
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simplepinoi177

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OMG :dawa: THANK YOU‼‼ :ouimaitre:

Jeez Cryste‼! I cannot BELIEEEVE I am this stupid!

No wonder the MB presented like it had no RAM… apk24, I apologize. You were right. In my defense, on my last build with DDR3 RAM and a Z68 motherboard, all you had to do was place the RAM firmly in the slot, and I would close the plastic lock until it clicks. I did THAT on these – heard a faint click and everything! I didn’t know you had to push with enough force that you think you’ll push the RAM right through the MB‼! Didn’t think to do it so frickin hard until you actually see the plastic locks move themselves! Thank you, I had already RMA’d the second motherboard and you may have saved me from replacing how many more other motherboards and 5820k’s!

I am such a doofus…seriously, thank you all for helping me out and being patient with my stupidity…

Well…I guess this answers it once and for all...
NO, you canNOT get 8 RAM chips that are faulty…


 
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