Computer Issues After Tampering With RAM

R

rlvmaiden

New Member
Hi, I posted this before but I have new info now and I think it'll be more effective to make a new thread rather than to continue with the other one, so here goes:
I opened up my tower a couple weeks ago to see what kind of RAM it had because I was thinking about upgrading. I had shut the computer off before removing the RAM but I didn't unplug it, so I think that may have caused the problem. At this point, the computer will turn on but the monitor isn't picking up a signal so I guess it's not booting properly. Since then, I've ordered new RAM sticks and they haven't solved any problems so I know there's nothing wrong with the RAM. I'd like to know what the other possibilities could be before I have to take it in to have somebody charge an arm and a leg to look at it and find the problem, so any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I can try to provide more info if anybody needs some.
Thanks.
 
While it's not the best thing to do, I mess around with RAM all the time while the computer's still plugged in. Sure something COULD go wrong, but it's quite rare it does...

Anyway, do you get anything from the computer. Hard drive activity perhaps (besides spinning up). Have you confirmed everything's plugged in securely? All power plugs, video card, etc etc? If you still can't find a problem, you may want to tear the computer down to the basics and give it a whirl. One stick of RAM, CPU, and video. If the computer works like this, you can start rebuilding it and isolating the problem.

Another suggestion, my brother's power supply died once by simply removing the RAM. No clue why or what he did, but the computer worked fine, he opened it to check the RAM, then it wouldn't do ANYTHING (no fans, lights, etc) New PSU fixed it and it's been running since.
 
Well, when I start up the computer, all the lights and fans come on, as usual, and the humming of the computer is there like every other start up back when it worked. The only difference I've noticed is a slight change in the sound of the humming when it starts up. It's not a huge change but I still noticed a bit of a difference when I first started it up after messing with the RAM.
 
try clearing the cmos/return bios to default.
when i changed the memory on my computer it would hang at boot. i had left the old bios settings that were not compatible with the new memory.
btw, have you tried going into bios, will it let u?
 
Leaving the power cable plugged in shouldn't have caused this to happen, when I got my new RAM, Corsair actually RECOMMENDED in the install instructions to leave it connected (computer turned off of course), don't really know why, I've always thought it was common knowledge to always disconnect the power cable, apparently not. If you didn't discharge yourself properly before touching the RAM (or other components) it could have caused the problem.
 
@ zombine - My computer doesn't take me to any boot screens or anything, the monitor isn't picking up the signal.

@candy - When I first removed the RAM, I didn't properly discharge my hands so it's possible that the RAM sticks are fried. However, I just recieved 2 new sticks of RAM today and I grounded my hands, unplugged the computer completely and made sure I was touching the case of the computer while installing the new RAM to make sure there was no damage and the problem still persists. I do remember touching the IDE cable thing, I didn't unplug it but I definitelt did touch it. Is it possible I may have damaged that by not properly discharging my hands?

Also, I've noticed that about 10 seconds after I turn on the computer, there are 2 really faint *beeps* that the computer makes. I don't know if this is signifigant or not, I just thought it might be something worth mentioning.
 
rlvmaiden said:
@ zombine - My computer doesn't take me to any boot screens or anything, the monitor isn't picking up the signal.

@candy - When I first removed the RAM, I didn't properly discharge my hands so it's possible that the RAM sticks are fried. However, I just recieved 2 new sticks of RAM today and I grounded my hands, unplugged the computer completely and made sure I was touching the case of the computer while installing the new RAM to make sure there was no damage and the problem still persists. I do remember touching the IDE cable thing, I didn't unplug it but I definitelt did touch it. Is it possible I may have damaged that by not properly discharging my hands?

Also, I've noticed that about 10 seconds after I turn on the computer, there are 2 really faint *beeps* that the computer makes. I don't know if this is signifigant or not, I just thought it might be something worth mentioning.
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If you touched any circuits it could have caused damage it but not by touching the cables.

The beeps are actually significant, you should only hear one beep (means everything is 'ok'), I don't know if the codes vary between different motherboards so you will have to look at your manual, or look your motherboard up on the net, and find the error codes. That will give you some idea as to what the problem is.

EDIT: I think zombine might be right, for my motherboard 2 short beeps means CMOS setting error (as I said depends on your motherboard though), also you don't need to go into bios to reset CMOS, you just have to find the jumper on your motherboard and short it, if you don't have a jumper you can remove the battery. Find out that error code first and if you have the manual refer to it for resetting the CMOS (or someone here could tell you if you don't already know how).
 
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With it off and uplugged, hit the power button a few times to discharge it. Pop the motherboard battery out for a minute. But the battery back in, plug it back up and see if it boots.
 
Well, I was thinking that my motherboard was fried so I removed the RAM sticks and started it up just to see if there was any beep code for missing RAM and the beep code was present. So I don't think it's my motherboard now. What could it be? My graphics cards? I have 2 of them running SLI so I don't know how they could both be fried. When the computer starts up with the RAM in it, it doesn't make any beeps but without the RAM it gives the beep code for 'no RAM'. Any ideas?
 
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