Recovering Lost Dram Size GA x58 ud3r rev2

[kikowe]

Hello, I know that's popular, and I have been doing lot of research but couldn find a solution.


First of all, I didn't have this problem at the beginning, then I had to fly my pc to another country, so, before doing that, I unmounted the heatsink and had to put it back again.

Then I got the message. I did some troubleshooting. I have got 3x4gb corsair xms3 modules, installed in 1 3 5. The three modules work well, but whatever I put in slot1 it doesn't work, allowing me to see only 8gb (slot 3 and 5).

I have tried reinstalling the cpu twice, but it seems to have been installed properly and it didn't solve the problem.

At the moment I'm running the system with 8gb installed in slot 3 and 5.

What should I do? Is it possible to install the ram in slots 2 4 and 6? What happens if I put them in 3 4 and 5 or 3 5 and 6?

Also, I have a thermaltake frio cpu cooler and I'm not sure if I have got any room to fit the ram in slot 2 (I should anyway remove the heatsink first and reapply the paste on the cpu and put that back in the socket which is something I want to avoid if it's not strictly necessary).

I forgot to mention that after a few reboots and Recovering lost dram size message the system starts normally with 12gb working and stable.

That's all the information I've got, hope you can help

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome.

It would sound like some pin or pins have got damaged in the CPU socket most likely.

Take all the usual anti-static precautions.

Very carefully remove the heatsink and fan. Probably a slight twisting motion is best to release the two as the thermal paste can act like a glue.

Once off remove the CPU taking extreme care both physically and electrically(static) and place somewhere safe.

Make sure that the lighting is very good and even.

Now scrutinise the socket for any pins that are out of alignment, even slightly.
If in any doubt whatsoever take a couple of macro (close up) photos of the socket and post them on here for us to check.

Also look at the bottom of the CPU at the lands (little copper circles) and make sure that there is a mark in each somewhere near the centre.
If there are any missing marks or any of the pins are obviously bent then that is your problem.

Before refitting the CPU clean off all residue of the old thermal paste and the same on the heatsink and then apply a small amount (about the size of a grain of rice) to the centre of the CPU once it is inserted in the socket.

[kikowe]

Here are the pics, couldn't make macros. The pins on the lower part seem to be ok, but I don't know if that thing "missing" on the top right corner of the socket it's normal.
My pc is still opened, I'll wait for an answer to put the paste and the cpu cooler back.
Also, the bottom of the cpu looks fine, with nothing odd looking.

[kikowe]

another one

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and thanks for the photos. To be perfectly honesty they are not of sufficient quality to be sure  but it does appear that there are two places that there could be damaged pins. If you could possibly get some more a little closer up with good light I might be able to be certain. If you have a "Macro" setting on your camera try using that as it will allow you to focus more closely.

[kikowe]

Hi, I can't get closer than that :/ I can see on the right side there are two pins that seem bent. If that's what you see on the pic maybe that's it.
What would you advice me to do?

Thanks

P.S. How does it work, performance-wise, if I put the three modules on Slot2, Slot3, Slot5 ?

[kikowe]

just in case

Memory is in Slot 1, 3, and 5. But I don't understand why it shows 2 and 4 as enabled slots

[Dark Mantis]

There are several pins that look like theyu could be bent or damaged but I can't see closely enough.

I would ask for an RMA but they will also want clear pictures to decide. Contact your retailer and see what he says. Usually if it is because of bent pins they don't want to know though.

As for an explanation it depends on which pins are bent.

[kikowe]

I understand.

Is it possible that I could pay a computer repair shop to fix the pins?

I finally put the three modules in slots 3,4, and 5. As I understand that means that 3 and 5 will work as dual channel, and 3 will be single channel mode (unfortunately slot1 and 2 both don't work).

Is that a great loss of performance?

Thanks for your help