Do I have a bad stick of RAM?

Bz22 · #1 06-10-2012, 12:04 PM

I put together a new computer back in December with Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B RAM. In the past month I have been getting blue screens (they usually say Memory Mangement). The blue screens seem to happen when I am browsing the internet or editing videos, but not when the computer is sitting or when playing GTA IV/ BF3.

I bought a new SSD recently and did a clean install of Windows 7 and I am still getting blue screens. I ran Memtest86 v4.20 and got hundreds of errors right away ( I have the XMP setting on in the motherboard). I removed 1 stick of RAM and ran the test overnight and got 0 errors. I took that stick of RAM out of the slot and placed the other stick in the same slot and got hundreds of errors right away again. I have not had any blue screens yet with only the one good stick installed. Does it look like this one stick of RAM is bad?

peanutz94 · #2 06-10-2012, 03:18 PM

Yes, you have a bad stick of memory.

Use the link on the left to request an RMA and get your kit replaced.

Bz22 · #3 06-12-2012, 11:02 PM

I requested an advanced RMA, waiting on the shipment e-mail now. My computer hasn't crashed since I removed the bad stick.

Thanks.

RAM GUY · #4 06-13-2012, 04:04 PM

I would contact our customer service if you have questions about the Advanced RMA.

Bz22 · #5 06-20-2012, 06:57 PM

I called On 6/11 for an advanced RMA and I received the replacement set today. I installed both replacement sticks and my computer would not boot up, the red memory light on the motherboard was on. I pulled out one of the replacement sticks and the same thing happened (tried it on different slots too). Took that stick out and swapped in the other replacement and it started up just fine. I put in the good stick from the set that is being RMAed along with the good replacement and it also started up fine. It seems that one of these replacement sticks is dead.

What needs to be done now? I have to send the original defective set back otherwise I will be billed for the new set. Do I need to call customer service and open up another advanced RMA on this replacement set? Will I have to pay return shipping again on this set too?

Wired · #6 06-20-2012, 07:11 PM

Yes you need to talk to customer service for an advanced RMA, no, you shouldn't have to pay for shipping on an RMA for a recently RMA'd item.

peanutz94 · #7 06-22-2012, 07:49 AM

Thats the second set that has failed on your machine. The odds of you having one bad stick out of two kits is astronomical! If you get the same results with a third set i would have your motherboard looked at or replaced. I'm starting to think the memory is not the problem.

RAM GUY · #8 06-22-2012, 11:03 AM

It is rare to have two kits fail in a row but it is not outside the realm of impossibility. I would recommend you contact customer service and request a replacement for a replacement and they will assist you with this matter. You will not have to pay for additional shipping charges.

Bz22 · #9 06-22-2012, 07:38 PM

Thanks, I will give them a call on Monday.

I thought it might have been a slot or a setting on the motherboard, but the 1 good stick from the set being RMAed and the 1 good stick from the replacement set worked fine together.

Bz22 · #10 07-10-2012, 06:17 PM

I received the replacement RAM today and it is working. It seems like the other replacement set had a bad stick. I got the prepaid shipping label for that set last week.

Thanks.