PC fails to start when using a RAM stick in the first position.
PC fails to start when using a RAM stick in the first position.
Hello everyone, today my system is experiencing problems because it won’t boot unless I have no RAM stick in the first slot of my motherboard. When I power it on, I see a black screen with no BIOS splash. The EZ Debug LED on the motherboard lights up for the CPU section. Removing a RAM stick from the first slot works fine, but adding more causes issues. This started last night after I turned off the computer; the screen went black and it shut down immediately instead of following Windows shutdown. My troubleshooting attempts so far include clearing CMOS, testing each slot separately, trying individual RAM sticks, updating BIOS, changing RAM frequency to 2666 MHz, and using a mix of kits (2x32GB 3200C16, 2x32GB 3600C18, 10GB 980Pro, 2TB drive). I suspect a bent CPU pin might be the cause, though I haven’t checked yet. The unit was purchased second-hand on eBay and has been functioning well for about a year. Please help if you can!
I faced the same issue with the identical motherboard and CPU a few months back. I took a different approach by leaving my pump unplugged, which caused the CPU to overheat and shut down. After much troubleshooting, I managed to boot Windows on a single stick initially. Once I powered it off and added another stick, everything worked properly. One of my fixes after the overheating was to re-seat the CPU—perhaps combine that with clearing CMOS and testing BIOS access first (if possible). Could you share if you were able to run the system with just two sticks?
Running without the cooler gave me the same outcomes sadly. After reseating the CPU didn’t help. I experimented with various stick combinations and placements, realizing my problems stemmed from having a particular 3600MHz stick installed. Testing that stick alone resolved the issue. Using two sticks worked too. The second stick could be either 3200 or another 3600; adding a third only succeeded if swapped with an unused one. I verified this by booting with three Corsair sticks plus an old Ripjaws stick, filling all slots. Now I understand it’s a faulty stick, not the entire board!