How to troubleshoot possible bad DIMM slot(s)


  1. Posts : 45
    Windows 10
       #1

    How to troubleshoot possible bad DIMM slot(s)


    Have just updated my 6 year old Windows 10 to a point where it is eligible for upgrade to Windows 11. To that end I have purchased a new case, new PSU, new motherboard, new CPU, and new RAM. Have retained the old HDD, video card, sound card, and the DVD unit (which I can't use in this case). The 1st M/B I returned as being 'DOA'. Problem is I had the same issue with the replacement M/B. I installed the two new RAM sticks per the user manual in DIMM slots A2 & B2 and the system would not BOOT. After much reading and racking my little brain I quite by chance removed the stick in B2 and got one hell of a surprise. It works!!!!!! Have now tested the two new sticks in all possible DIMM slots on this M/B (there are only 4). It appears that in no instance can a stick be in DIMM B1 nor DIMM B2. In any combination it will fail if either of those two are in the mix. It appears that the only viable setup is by using either 1 or both RAM sticks in the DIMM slots A1 & A2. Question is - how do I ascertain what is wrong with these slots and what if anything can be done about it if anything. I hesitate to attempt to RMA this M/B as it entails dismantling, repacking and taking it to the local UPS store for return to Amazon. This will leave me the choice of what new M/B I want to deal with. If I try again at the ASUS Prime Z690M-PLUS D4 I may end up with the same issue. I may well keep what I have with it working with the 2x8GBs in A1 and A2 and registering in BIOS O.K. The user manual suggests if only 1 stick to put it in A2 - if 2 sticks use A2 & B2 - if 4 sticks use all 4 DIMMs. Have not seen anywhere where there is mention of a software method of testing for bad DIMM slots. Anyone have any ideas??? THANX
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 23,014
    Win 10 Home ♦♦♦19045.4239 (x64) [22H2]
       #2

    @Boppa

    You need to take one stick of RAM that you KNOW works... and try it in each slot, and see if the computer boots.
    If you find a slot where that stick won't let the computer boot... that slot is bad.

    None of the pdf manuals I can download say which slots to use when installing RAM.
    For the past 10-15 years it's been... slots 1 and 3 or slots 2 and 4 counting away from the CPU.
    You want the RAM to run in dual channel. The only way to get dual channel is to use either A1 and B1 or A2 and B2.



    Now... there's another possibility. a lot of times, RAM of a high frequency won't boot, unless the RAM timings are manually set in the BIOS.




    You need to list your exact parts. Hardware questions like this are impossible to answer... by guessing.
    In this instance I need to know motherboard, CPU and RAM
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 45
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    How to troubleshoot possible bad DIMM slot(s)


    As per my original post, I have tried both new RAM sticks in all 4 DIMM slots. It appears that neither of these sticks will work in a 'B' DIMM slot. They will work just fine in an 'A' slot but any attempt to mix and match with 'B' will fail. Had only intended to use two sticks so not going to go crazy with this issue and settle for the two in 'A' DIMMs. Not going to concern myself with possible loss of the dual channel aspect!!!. System shows 16GB of RAM (the two 8GBs). Running just fine and hope will not become an issue somewhere down the line. THANX for your input. I give up!!!!!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,512
    several
       #4

    Still keeping the hardware a secret.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 45
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    How to troubleshoot possible bad DIMM slot(s)


    There is, and never was, a secret about hardware. It is all a moot point now as I do not see myself continuing to pursue this issue. As mentioned previously, my intent was to use only 2 sticks of RAM and am not really concerned with possible loss of the dual channel aspect. BUT, you want HARDWARE so here is some - THERMALTAKE Smart BM2 550W PSU, ASUS Prime Z690M-Plus D4 LGA1700 (Intel 12th Generation) MicroATX M/B, CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 DRAM 3200 MHz, and INTEL core i5-12400 18M cache (12th Generation) up to 4.40 GHz. The ASUS user guide lists 4xDIMM, max 128GB, DDR4 3200 MHz Non-ECC, un-buffered memory listed as acceptable rating for this M/B. I never thought in my attempt to update my Win10 to a point of being eligible for upgrade to Win11 that I would end up spending over $600.00. Don't tell my wife as I value my life!! We are senior citizens living on a fixed income. THANX again!!!!!
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 23,014
    Win 10 Home ♦♦♦19045.4239 (x64) [22H2]
       #6
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 45
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    How to troubleshoot possible bad DIMM slot(s)


    Out of curiosity, what is the point of posting that screen image of some application?? What am I supposed to do with this info????
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 6,247
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP - Lubuntu
       #8

    Boppa said:
    As per my original post, I have tried both new RAM sticks in all 4 DIMM slots. It appears that neither of these sticks will work in a 'B' DIMM slot. They will work just fine in an 'A' slot but any attempt to mix and match with 'B' will fail. Had only intended to use two sticks so not going to go crazy with this issue and settle for the two in 'A' DIMMs. Not going to concern myself with possible loss of the dual channel aspect!!!. System shows 16GB of RAM (the two 8GBs). Running just fine and hope will not become an issue somewhere down the line. THANX for your input. I give up!!!!!
    Is your BIOS up to date?
    If not download and install latest BIOS
    If it is updated, download and re install latest BIOS (sometimes BIOS can get corrupted)
    Always update BIOS under BIOS mode, never under Windows.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 1,750
    Windows 10 Pro
       #9

    Boppa said:
    I never thought in my attempt to update my Win10 to a point of being eligible for upgrade to Win11 that I would end up spending over $600.00. Don't tell my wife as I value my life!! We are senior citizens living on a fixed income. THANX again!!!!!
    Just wondering. How are you supposed to keep this $600 from She Who Must Be Obeyed?
      My Computers


 

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