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Question

Removed working RAM. Looked at it and now it doesn't work

by Mar 11, 2015 6:04PM PDT

This is twice now.
It's a really old machine that gets used in the kitchen for reading email and printing coupons.lol...

But anyway,what would cause this?
I started with four 1GB sticks of RAM.
I removed them to count the pins one day and when I reinstalled them,the PC would just beep the code for defective memory.
I removed them all and installed them one at a time and would boot up.
This led me to find that it would not boot with one specific stick installed.
I trashed it and used the PC without it.

Tonight,I removed the RAM again to read the labels.
When I replaced them,it got that beep code again.
Went through process of elimination again and AGAIN found one specific stick that prevents booting.

What can cause a stick of RAM to go bad by simply pulling it out and putting it back?
There was no static discharge that I saw/heard/felt by the way.

Discussion is locked

3 Posts
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Answer
Static charge doesn't need to be felt.
by Former Forum moderator Mar 11, 2015 10:03PM PDT

There's that plus there are mechanical crack or contact failures as well. It happens so you know not to tinker with working machines. More so as they get older.
Bob

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Don't tinker?
by mckrackin8988 Mar 11, 2015 10:24PM PDT

Ha...I am the wrong person to tell not to tinker with a machine Wink

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At least you found the failed parts.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Mar 11, 2015 10:31PM PDT

I saw a few techs counting by using their fingers along the contact area of the memory stick. Ouch. That's not good. Today's memory systems run at a low 1.8 Volts or lower. It's too easy to create a lot more voltage than that. If you must count, do it with touching the contact or any metal areas. Plus wear the required grounding strap, etc.

I didn't write about techs that were pushing and shoving the parts in too hard. It's legendary.
Bob

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