Accidentally installed ECC ram, now it's messed up

[davidy613]

Here's what happened, my brother brought home two ECC 2gb ram sticks one day from work. I didn't know it was ECC. Actually, I didn't know there different types of ram to begin with.

Like an idiot, I inserted the ram sticks and booted my comp. Obviously it didnt work, so I started to fiddle around with it trying different combinations and reseating the sticks.

In the end I reverted back to my old ram. I then boot up my comp and everything seems fine; that is, until it froze. I reset my comp and the same thing keeps happening. At this point, I'm pretty much dumbfounded as to what was wrong.

I opened up my comp and tried reseating the ram sticks, which didn't work.
At this point my DIMM slots are getting extremely loose from the constant unlatching. All of this happened throughout the course of a week.

Now the problem is getting severe. The damn comp can't even boot up to the desktop properly because it always blue screens. I asked my brother why it's like this, and he says, "you installed ECC memory into a non ECC board." this was when I found out the mistake I made.

So this is where I'm asking for help, I need to know if the problem is reversible or if I'm going to have to buy a new mobo.
If I "installed" ECC ram by booting up with it, then can't I reinstall my old ram by doing the same?

Things I have tried:
Reseating the ram sticks (4 slots total)
CMOS resetting (sometimes works, inconsistent)
launch startup repair (tried this, all it did was system restore if it didn't freeze during the process)
I am not a tech-savvy guy so I did not touch any of the bios options on bootup

My mobo is a biostar A770E

I apologize for the long post but I needed to say everything I knew about the situation.
Also, I posted this in the motherboard section because i believe the problem persists in the mobo.

 

[pitz]

Mods will probably sanction you for innappropriate language in the topic.

ECC memory, in and of itself, shouldn't cause your motherboard to malfunction.

Sounds like you may have mechanically damaged your motherboard and its RAM slots through your excessive RAM-changing activities.

You may also have damaged your existing RAM sticks, and/or the motherboards' electronics through ESD (static discharge).

This is a good cautionary tale to use a static grounding strap when you are working on the electronic parts of computers, and always minimize the number of cycles you put on delicate connectors and retaining clips. These parts are deliberately designed for a tight, low-tolerance mechanical fit, to minimize capacitance. You are dealing with electronics that are faster and more susceptible to mechanical problems than ever before.

Consider the $50 a replacement motherboard will cost you to be 'cheap' education as to why you need to be careful when installing random parts on your boards.

 

[davidy613]

Sounds like you may have mechanically damaged your motherboard and its RAM slots through your excessive RAM-changing activities.

This is what I believe the problem most likely is. However, the problem persisted before I started my frantic seat changing.

 

[dawp]

Mods will probably sanction you for innappropriate language in the topic.

ECC memory, in and of itself, shouldn't cause your motherboard to malfunction.

Sounds like you may have mechanically damaged your motherboard and its RAM slots through your excessive RAM-changing activities.

You may also have damaged your existing RAM sticks, and/or the motherboards' electronics through ESD (static discharge).

This is a good cautionary tale to use a static grounding strap when you are working on the electronic parts of computers,, and always minimize the number of cycles you put on delicate connectors and retaining clips. These parts are deliberately designed for a tight, low-tolerance mechanical fit, to minimize capacitance. You are dealing with electronics that are faster and more susceptible to mechanical problems than ever before.

Consider the $50 a replacement motherboard will cost you to be 'cheap' education as to why you need to be careful when installing random parts on your boards.

you don't necessarily need a ground strap as long as you keep in contact with the bare metal of the case before and during the work. ground strap is just easier. and ground straps can go bad. techs that work in our central offices have to test the straps every time they use them.