Installed CPU cooler, computer doesn't boot with RAM in first two slots

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miniboris

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Jul 15, 2016
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Hello.
After installing a Cooler Master Nepton 240m on my i7-6700k, my computer stopped booting into Windows, or even BIOS. I checked all the cables and everything, but the problem seems to have something to do with the RAM? I have 4x4gb Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 2666mhz.

The problem is that the computer won't boot when there is something in the first 2 rows of RAM, but when I remove the two first 4gb sticks it boots fine with the remaining 8gb of ram.

The motherboard is an MSI z170a gaming m3.

I have tried updating the BIOS as I read somewhere that might help, however, it didn't.

Could I potentially have damaged something during the install process of the cpu cooler? During the install, I didn't remove anything other than the old cooler from the motherboard.

Best Regards,
Andreas
 
Solution
George Phillips
Have you gotten another CPU or motherboard so you can do an A-B test? I would try to get another cheaper, used, and working CPU to test it out. If the situation continues after installing another good working cpu, it's the motherboard issue. If it doesn't work, the motherboard has memory slot issues.
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inerax

inerax

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Have you tested all 4 ram sticks in slots 3 and 4? If all 4 sticks are good its safe to bet its the slots on the mobo. I have a mobo thats the same way. Slots 1 and 2 are dead. Slot 4 is covered by the CPU cooler... So I have 1x4gb stick in the PC only.
 
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George Phillips

George Phillips

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Jun 17, 2015
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Either motherboard or cpu is partially damaged. My intuition tells me that the heatsink might have applied too much stress and damaged the memory controller on the CPU, so the first channel is damaged but the 2nd one is fine. It could also be caused by a damaged motherboard. Considering that the motherboard is cheaper, I suggest to get another motherboard to test it. If the situation continues after using a new motherboard, it means the cpu is damaged and should be replaced.
 
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miniboris

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The sticks from 1/2 worked perfectly in 3/4, but the sticks from 3/4 could not boot in 1/2. I guess the slots are dead.
 
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miniboris

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Tested them all in 3/4, no issues. Guess the first two slots are dead, that's a shame.
 
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miniboris

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I selected your answer as solution by accident - however, this does seem the most likely as I have tried all the other suggestions.

Do you guys think a CMOS reset might help?
 
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George Phillips

George Phillips

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Jun 17, 2015
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Have you gotten another CPU or motherboard so you can do an A-B test? I would try to get another cheaper, used, and working CPU to test it out. If the situation continues after installing another good working cpu, it's the motherboard issue. If it doesn't work, the motherboard has memory slot issues.
 
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