Diagnosing memory issue

Craig234

Distinguished
Apr 23, 2006
371
5
18,795
I have a new build: ASRock Extreme6 MB and 4x4gb Corsair XMS3 RAM.

When I install all 4, I get MB error 55: RAM not detected.

When I install just one stick in 'slot 1' - I'm guessing at the number, it's furthest from the CPU - it boots fine.

The slots are paired as 1/3 and 2/4. When I install a second stick into 'slot 3', error 55.

When I install just one stick, it boots fine in slots 1 or 2, and error 55 in slots 3 or 4. Help?

ASRock support was not helpful so far - they just said 'check for bent CPU socket pins[' - not very practical with the CPU and heatsink installed - and then said 'return it to seller'.

But I bought it over a year ago before using it finally... any ideas?
 

Jwpanz

Honorable
ASRock is right to have you check for bent CPU pins. Remove the cooler and CPU and inspect the socket. Also, re-seating a CPU can help with restoring the connection to the pins responsible for communicating with the RAM. You could also try updating the BIOS.
 

Craig234

Distinguished
Apr 23, 2006
371
5
18,795
It's pretty demoralizing to have to remove the heatsink and CPU for this - and if I see a problem which I may or may not see to first just try 'reinstalling' everything and try again and if it doesn't work having to get a whole new MB and start over. Starting to question doing the build at all.
 

Jwpanz

Honorable
I had the cooler. HAD being the key word. It caused memory issues for me. The back of the motherboard has nuts that need to be held in place. It sounds like the standoffs are just spinning around when you try to screw it off.
 

Craig234

Distinguished
Apr 23, 2006
371
5
18,795


I suspect you're right. I called the local repair shop out of a frustrated dealing with this' desire and they normally charge $35 to diagnose but raise it to $75 since it's one I built - so that is motivating to do this and not pay them that.

It's hard to see how the heatsink causes memory issues?

What did you find on that?

The only things I've noticed are a lot or pressure on the CPU and it wiggled around installing the heatsink, and it sits touching the closest stick of RAM.
 

Craig234

Distinguished
Apr 23, 2006
371
5
18,795
My issue seems to be bent CPU socket pins (when I put the heatsink on, I had to have it move around on the CPU to screw it in and was concerned it might cause problems, it did). So now I'm looking for how to get CPU pins straightened. Local shop refused.
 

Craig234

Distinguished
Apr 23, 2006
371
5
18,795
It's another video that is inspiring to try - and I will again - but I don't have that tool and am having a hard time seeing the pins well or repairing any without bending more I don't want to, so I'd like to just hire the service done, but not finding the service yet.