DDR RAM just won't seat properly.

[Robotnik]

I have an Iwill Xp333-R mainboard that simply will not POST. I get continuous long beeps indicating a RAM problem. Now all the RAM checks out as fine on another board (a Soltek SL75-DRV4, where the DIMMs just pop right in). It's pretty obvious that on the Iwill board the RAM isn't seating right, although the clips close OK they just sit a little high. I've taken it out of its case, put it on a flat surface and applied *HUGE* amounts of force, but the damn RAM sticks simply don't sit right. I've tried all three slots and three different sticks, all to no avail! Anyone have any suggestion, I don't want to RMA a perfectly good board, simply because the DDR DIMMs were too tight?

 

[rbV5]

Try it again. I agree that the ram slots are far and away the tightest I've ever stuck a stick into. I had a stick I nearly RMA'd, but after reading posts on another forum, I tried one last time and it worked. Even if the clips are locked the ram may not be fully seated, I had to literally push until I heard a loud click, and then all was well. Even the stick that would POST was not entirely seated even though it worked.

 

[AndyHui]

Just make sure that you have the RAM orientated correctly with the notch. Unlike SDR SDRAM, DDR has just one notch and I have heard of people making costly mistakes.

 

[Robotnik]

<< Just make sure that you have the RAM orientated correctly with the notch. Unlike SDR SDRAM, DDR has just one notch and I have heard of people making costly mistakes. >>



Yeah, it's the right way all right, 100% sure on that, it's just sitting a little higher. On my Soltek board the notch isn't visible when a stick is inserted, but on this board it is. All the sticks I've tried are the same brand though, I wonder if I should try another brand of RAM? I've got three sticks, 2x 256MB and 1x 512MB PC2100 DDR, but they're all the same brand, PQI.

 

[AndyHui]

RAM brand shouldn't matter if they are all compliant.....it's the PCB that is causing you troubles, not the RAM chips themselves. I won't do any harm to test with another brand though.

 

[RalfHutter]

My P4B266 is the most difficult board I've ever tried to install RAM into. I've used Crucial, Kingmax and Corsair RAM on this board. I have to push it in so hard I feel like I'm going to break the socket off the board or break the board. I guess this board just comes with tight sockets.