One of the Ram units fails following a restart or shutdown.
One of the Ram units fails following a restart or shutdown.
Hello, I recently assembled a new PC two months ago. Since last month I've encountered problems such as one of the RAM modules not functioning. Initially assumed it was Windows-only, but it occurs even on Linux too. During boot sessions, some RAM entries disappear from the total available in Task Manager. Occasionally, the system takes an unusually long time to start—around a minute—and the motherboard displays yellow LED lights. Despite this, the PC eventually boots. My SSD seems fine since I have a Samsung 990 Pro. I've tried reinstalling the RAM, swapping modules, and reseating them multiple times. Sometimes it boots with 32GB, other times only 16GB (only one works). Could you assist? My processor is an i7-14700K with an air cooler. The motherboard is a Gigabyte Z790M AORUS ELITE AX (rev. 1.1). I prefer not to visit the store again, as it takes a full day and I don’t want to waste time. The seller appears reputable, having sold genuine parts. I also learned that a hard shutdown followed by starting the PC can delay booting, but it still shows 32GB. Restarting Windows afterward reveals 16GB. My system operates correctly after multiple restarts, testing both RAM modules individually on A2 and B2 slots. Should I consider a BIOS update? If so, would purchasing a new SSD be necessary, and should I worry about data loss or bricking?
It seems the problem might not be the main concern, but SSDs have known issues in certain cases: links provided highlight memory channel drops, often due to excessive speed or outdated BIOS. The article suggests reflashing the BIOS on a motherboard with BIOS Flashback, which can fix the issue even if the system won’t power up. Generally, the risk appears low, but if you need a replacement drive, older USB 2.0 or 1.1 models work better with that feature.
I don’t have to fear damaging my motherboard. That should be fine. I’ll pick an affordable USB that matches the slow performance and limited storage. Are you confident a BIOS update could resolve this issue? Also, I can still see this problem happening on regular non-OC speeds—like 4800 MHz.
A brick remains technically feasible, though the chances are nearly nonexistent. BIOS Flashback has helped me before when a flash failed (my responsibility, not the board's), but the safest approach is to steer clear of scenarios where a flash might fail—like updating during a storm or power outage—and always reset CMOS before making changes. This issue likely stems from a faulty CPU or motherboard, and it’s a straightforward solution if you can replace those components. Also, consider whether you’re using a contact frame, as it could occasionally lead to similar problems.
You're likely unsure about that component. It sounds like a heat sink socket priced around $40-50, designed to fit near the CPU and support the heatsink. You probably didn't pay for it yourself and don't recall the technician mentioning it.
It seems Gigabyte is releasing a BIOS update—this one comes after the latest version from June 2023, with fixes arriving in August 2023. I looked into SPD write protection issues online and found a relevant article. It appears the user in question uses a similar motherboard, possibly the microATX model, which increases the likelihood of a successful fix by about 90%. Cheers!