Is My RAM Stick Dead or Can It Be Fixed?
Asked by
TechieKid23
Hey everyone! I built my PC recently, and I'm running into a strange RAM issue. Here are my specs: MSI B550M-PRO-VDH WIFI motherboard and Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO DDR4 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz RAM. Initially, everything was great, but I started experiencing freezes when I bumped the desk. This would lead to a Blue Screen with the error IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. After some troubleshooting, I found out that the PC only boots with Stick A installed, while Stick B causes a black screen and won't POST, no matter what slot I try it in. Since I bought the RAM second-hand, I can't return it or use a warranty. Is Stick B dead or is there anything else I can try before giving up on it?
Answers
If you can get a bootable MemTest86 USB stick ready, that could help diagnose the RAM, but since Stick B prevents the system from POSTing, you might not be able to get that far.
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It sounds like Stick B might be dead, especially since you mentioned it won't boot at all in any slot. It’s worth verifying that both sticks are from the same kit, just to rule that out.
BuilderGuru88: I checked, and they do match. What else can I do?
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Have you tried using JEDEC timings instead of the EXPO settings? Ensure all your cables are secure, too. Sometimes a slight bump can disconnect a loose cable and lead to these issues.
TechieKid23: I tested both sticks in all slots, and Stick A works perfectly. I think Stick B has SPD corruption since I was using OpenRGB.
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TechieKid23: I'd like to try MemTest86, but with Stick B in, I can't even reach the boot menu. Stick A is fine, but Stick B just won't work at all.