Problems in RAM Slot 1

[Kulatrax]

Hi dear fellows,

First of all, please note that I will talk about a laptop problem, not about desktop/builds. I have a laptop with a HM76 Chipset and I've upgrade from an i5 3210M to an i7 3630QM, so perfectly compatible. I also bought an additional stick of 8GB RAM with dual voltage of 1.35V and 1.5V, from Crucial (according to the information on the Crucial's website, I think they are both running at 1.5V).

It was everything OK and I was very happy with the big upgrade. However, when I decide to do a memory test with memtest86 and memtest86+ I got many errors, but just in the latest tests, and always after 1h of test (with Windows diagnostic tool I had no errors). So I did some tests with memtest86 to know which RAM stick was damaged and I came to the conclusion that both sticks are good but Slot 1 don't. If I put any stick of RAM in the Slot 1 I have errors in memtest86 and BSoD in Prime95. If I just use the Slot 2 I have no problems. I don't know if I already had this problem in Slot 1 before the upgrade, because I never did a scan memtest86, or if by some (very strange) reason, I have damaged the motherboard/Slot 1 with this CPU and RAM upgrade.

But, what I would like to ask is if there is any problem of ignoring this damage in Slot 1 and use only the Slot 2 with the limited 8GB RAM, or if it is probable that the motherboard will show more problems/errors/damages in the future.. ?? Should I by another motherboard, or I will not have bigger problems than an unusable Slot of RAM?

Thank you in advance for your time and help,
I wish you all a great week!
Best regards.

 

[Elixer]

Well, RAM will be running in single channel mode, and not dual, so, things will be slower.

As for the reason the slot is failing, could be dirt, or the contacts are dirty, or cold solder issues (or...).

 

[Kulatrax]

Well, RAM will be running in single channel mode, and not dual, so, things will be slower.

As for the reason the slot is failing, could be dirt, or the contacts are dirty, or cold solder issues (or...).

Thank you for your reply! I have already cleaned the RAM and the Slots with Air Compressed, so I think that is not dirty..

The thing is that using both sticks I had no real problems in some hours of usage (intensive browsing and office, no gaming). Just in the stress tests. But that means that it is a problem, however in the real usage I hadn't already feel it. But I don't want to damage more hardware, so maybe it's better to use just 1 stick in the slot 2..

 

[Elixer]

Thank you for your reply! I have already cleaned the RAM and the Slots with Air Compressed, so I think that is not dirty..

The thing is that using both sticks I had no real problems in some hours of usage (intensive browsing and office, no gaming). Just in the stress tests. But that means that it is a problem, however in the real usage I hadn't already feel it. But I don't want to damage more hardware, so maybe it's better to use just 1 stick in the slot 2..

If it only fails in stress tests, then, that is hinting that the issue is with the DIMM, not the slot.

 

[Kulatrax]

If it only fails in stress tests, then, that is hinting that the issue is with the DIMM, not the slot.

With DIMM you mean the RAM stick? If I stress test with memtest or prime95 any of my RAM sticks in the slot 2 I pass all the tests. If I do it in the slot 1 (with any stick of RAM) I have problems. So, I think the problem is on the slot.

 

[dtgoodwin]

Do you have anything in PCI-E slots? There is some old hardware, particularly SAS controllers, that have trouble with the SMA bus and it causes the memory in slot one to disappear, or the system to behave in very unusual ways.

 

[Kulatrax]

Do you have anything in PCI-E slots? There is some old hardware, particularly SAS controllers, that have trouble with the SMA bus and it causes the memory in slot one to disappear, or the system to behave in very unusual ways.

Hi, thank you for your answer. If I correctly understand you about PCI-E slots, I have the wireless card connectec to the PCI express slot, if I'm not wrong. With the black and white cables. Is that you are refering?

 

[dtgoodwin]

Hi, thank you for your answer. If I correctly understand you about PCI-E slots, I have the wireless card connectec to the PCI express slot, if I'm not wrong. With the black and white cables. Is that you are refering?

That would be one, but unlikely to cause you these issues. You could always try running memtest without it.

 

[Kulatrax]

I've disconnected it and tried to boot the computer with RAM Stick on Slot 1 and it is the same: failed to POST. Black screen, but the pc boots. Sometimes I could boot the PC normally with both slots with RAM sticks and that was when I did the stress tests I told you. But most of the times, inclusively now, when I put any RAM stick on Slot 1 the PC don't boot properly.

That PCI-e didn't fix the issue, unfortunately.