New RAM installation gone bad: What happened?

Pesticle

So UPS had just delivered my newegg package. I had just ordered a 2x1gig dual channel OCZ Platinum set. So I went as normal, taking out my old DIMMS and putting in the new ones. So I get all set, and start up my computer...And I smell something weird, I immediately pushed the power button on the front of my case to shut it down, and after holding the power button for several seconds the computer still didn't shut down. I was forced to use the switch on the back of the power supply...

After opening my case nothing seems to be damaged, I removed the new RAM, put in the old RAM I had just had my computer up and running with no less than a half an hour before...but alas. I get the same issue. My computer will turn on from the power button, but will not turn off. My optical mouse never turns on, and I get no display signal on my monitor.

This is so upsetting. I've been waiting all week for this RAM and it completely cripples my computer. Does anyone know how I can fix this. Please don't tell me to replace everything

cozumel

The weird smell - was it like a burning smell and did it come from your PSU?

Pesticle

I don't know where it came from... My PSU is around 3 weeks old, a OCZ 700w GameXSteam that shouldn't be being stressed. Is there any way I can tell conclusively if it is the PSU...I think I could get this replaced.

Judas

erm, hate the sound of it all.

Your bet is to do the following:

Completely disconnected EVERYTHING, (CD-ROM/floppy/hardrive, mouse other USB or conneted devices inside or outside)

The only things you want hooked up is the PSU/Motherboard/CPU/RAM/Keyboard, that's it.

turn it on and see what happens.

If nothing works, then it's quite likely something critically wrong.

Rule of thumb, when changing memory around, always reset the cmos before starting the computer up.

Lastly, could we get the specific motherboard you've got?

ChaosMinionX

Did that something weird have a synthetic smell? like a plastic/rubber compound burning?

Pesticle

Maybe, but I simply can't reproduce the smell or find the damage.

cozumel

Have you tried a basic system boot yet with one stick RAM, CPU, GFX only connected as Judas said above? Everything else should be disconnected though.

Pesticle

Hey guys. Just found my other power supply sitting around and got the same issue.

I'm under the impression my motherboard is just plain done...I'll probably go buy a new one that supports Crossfire while I'm at it...


And yeah, I disconnected everything. Yesterday I even tried swapping in an old graphics card. The only thing I haven't swapped is the processor and motherboard, I've tried a different PSU, graphics card, memory and got the same issue. If under both PSU's my motherboard will not shut my computer down at the push of the front button, does that indicate the bad motherboard?

I have an ASrock 939Dual-sata2, and have had this since december. It was pretty rough around the edges but the board really never gave me any major problems...It's really depressing for me to go for a replacement because of a 3 second RAM switch.

Dyre Straits

I've changed RAM sticks so many times over the years. I'm glad I never had this kind of problem doing it.

Good luck to you.


EDIT: If the power switch isn't turning off the system, it's due to a setting in the BIOS Settings not be adjusted right.

For future reference, if you ever have that 'bad smell' experience again, use the switch on the PSU or unplug the cord. Don't rely on that front power button. I never do....I always go for the most reliable method.

Pesticle

I dunno, I didn't even have the chance to make any BIOS changes....I'm probably going to be buying an ASUS A8N-SLI board in an hour or so...I really hope this is the solution, I would hate to pay that BS 15% restocking fee at that store.

Will I have to reinstall windows due to the need for a new SATA driver? That's just another slap in the face right now...I just lost everything on one of my harddrives just a week ago, and painstakingly got my system up to date and ready for games and whatnot...Damnit

Dyre Straits

Just about any change in the basic hardware: motherboard/CPU, will require a new Windows installation and activation. I just hope whatever the problem is that happened, hasn't affected your HDDs too.

ChaosMinionX

Wouldnt really need a new windows install, I swap out hardware all the time and only have to go through the Activation from time to time... Any reason youd completely reinstall and reactivate Dyre?

Pesticle

New motherboard solved my issue. Replaced by another annoyance. My support CD refuses to create a floppy with sata drivers on it, and when I made one on another computer with one "MakeDisk.exe" on the support CD...Windows Installation gives me an error.

After further tinkering I managed to fix the issue, the floppy drive is still detected as drive B:, I think the way I had the wires hidden screwed something up.

ChaosMinionX

Download NLite and create a slipstreamed unattended install of your windows disk, I dont know how everyone hasnt already done that these days. I have like 3-4 custom disks used for different systems, one has windows basic components needed to run, everything else uninstalled/disabled from load..... and some others with different driver sets and different AHCI/RAID stuff and other random stuff like that....If you need help doing NLite just post and I will try to answer any question you have but its pretty straight forward.

Dyre Straits

Anytime I've changed something as basic as a motherboard, I have to re-activate Windows because my license has been activated now so many times, and so often, I don't get to do without calling MS.

With chipset drivers being so different, unless using the exact same motherboard, or almost exact, it's "best" to do a new Windows installation. I actually find it saves time rather than trying to work through all the hoops to do otherwise.

BUT, usually, whenever I change motherboards, I also get a new HDD and use that for the new installation. (It's one reason I end up with so many HDDs on one system. )

ChaosMinionX

I suppose if you look at it that way, it is much better to do a fresh install.

Pesticle

Currently formatting my HD again, I fell for something stupid...When creating a SATA disk I chose the option that mentioned SATA (with some other company attached.) After two failed windows installs followed by "Disk Read Errors", I realized the support CD I have never mentioned my specific motherboard, and the idea that it was loaded with drivers for other motherboards hit me. I'm currently reformatting my 500 gb HD, only this time I'm using the Nforce drivers. It is now 2 AM, I had planned to be past this point by midnight and done screwing around with drivers and windows update by 4...But I'm not so sure about that mark now.

I did not think I'd be doing this all weekend, I JUST did this last weekend because of an HD failing on me...In my mind I imagined myself snapping in a couple of RAM sticks in 5 minutes, setting them up in the BIOS, and playing some games. Meh, I felt less shame after I fully rebuilt the computer in an hour or so, this is the first time I've done everything because I've never had to put in a CPU. I was surprised how easy it was. Anyway, I'm clearly rambling because the yellow bar on the screen across the room is moving .0005 mm a minute. So anyway...Hopefully I have windows up by 4...or 5.

ChaosMinionX

Been there many times haha....I find it exciting to reinstall windows, just makes me look forward to what tweak I can apply and what I can remove that will FUBAR my install and I will have to call India, or wherever they are talking to me from, actually makes me have a funny feeling inside as they read off my 42 digit activation number

Pesticle