VOGONS


First post, by AaronS

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Long story short, I bought a kit of 4 4GB G.Skill DDR3-2400 from ebay and although they are of course designed to work in quad channel, I mainly just wanted to use them on my board (that only supports dual channel) as 16GB. Unfortunately it seems two of the sticks are dead or dying, I tried booting with each one by one and two post and the other two don't. If I install them all the total memory reported in the bios is 8GB as well as in memtest, however the SPD information can still be read from all 4 of the sticks in my bios, memtest and under Windows.

The attachment bios ram.png is no longer available
The attachment bios SPD slot 1.png is no longer available

(all 4 slots/DIMMs/pages show the exact same information)

The attachment Memtest.png is no longer available
The attachment win.png is no longer available

Is it possible they do work and I need a quad channel motherboard such as an X79 or are those 2 sticks just dead? With all 4 I can still boot the system and CPU-Z even reports 16GB under Windows (only 8GB usable though) but in my bios and memtest they only show 8GB, is CPU-Z just reading the SPD information and totalling them up? Either way I'm pretty sure they should each individually be able to boot as a 4GB stick in single channel configuration.

Last edited by AaronS on 2026-08-19, 12:52. Edited 2 times in total.

Reply 1 of 16, by Trashbytes

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Being able to read the info from them doesn't mean the memory ICs are fine, it does sound like you have two dead sticks there. Test all of them under Memtest86 one stick at a time, it will tell you for certain which sticks are dead and which are ok to use. If you cant even post the system with certain sticks then those modules are truly dead and you can bin them, but do try each stick one at a time in A channel and then B channel, if it still wont post then yeah its dead Jim.

Quad channel memory is just normal memory sticks, all they do at the factory is take 4/8 consecutive sticks off the line and certify that they work together on a quad channel motherboard. if they don't then they get certified to either be dual module kits, single module kits or get rejected for issues.

The SPD info is actually held on a small NAND ic on the memory module, you can even flash new info to it with special software.

Last edited by Trashbytes on 2026-08-19, 01:45. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 2 of 16, by AaronS

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Hello, yes that's what I thought too.

The two sticks that work didn't have any errors in memtest, the other two sticks I can't test because the system doesn't post, or if I use one of the working ones alongside one of the iffy ones, memtest only reports 4GB instead of 8GB and I think its only testing the one stick in this case.

Reply 3 of 16, by Trashbytes

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AaronS wrote on Yesterday, 01:43:

Hello, yes that's what I thought too.

The two sticks that work didn't have any errors in memtest, the other two sticks I can't test because the system doesn't post, or if I use one of the working ones alongside one of the iffy ones, memtest only reports 4GB instead of 8GB and I think its only testing the one stick in this case.

Yup sounds like you have two very dead sticks there, if they have heat spreaders I would take them off and check to see if they are actually legit memory sticks. There are a LOT of scams at the moment with both GPUs and Memory on EvilBay and if they sent you a pair of fake sticks or dead sticks and you are still within the return window you may be able to get your money back.

Reply 4 of 16, by AaronS

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Alright I got a partial refund which is fine, I could've gotten a full refund and returned them but I can still use the two working sticks in dual channel and they don't report any errors in memtest, 8GB is plenty for this board anyway. I'll sell the others for parts/non working, someone might want the heatsinks off them or something. Thanks for the help.

Reply 5 of 16, by shevalier

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An dd3 XMP profile at 2400 MHz, and two RAM sticks per channel?
Your optimism is off the charts. 😀
Get it running on the 1600 MHz JEDEC profile first—which is what it actually is.

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Reply 6 of 16, by Trashbytes

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shevalier wrote on Yesterday, 15:42:

An dd3 XMP profile at 2400 MHz, and two RAM sticks per channel?
Your optimism is off the charts. 😀
Get it running on the 1600 MHz JEDEC profile first—which is what it actually is.

One stick per channel, two are deader than a door nail, I mistakenly didn't see the DDR3 part but that wont resurrect a dead stick that wont post. I agree that 2400 with DDR3 and Quad channel is rather ...optimistic 😁

Im still curious if they are even legit sticks.

Last edited by Trashbytes on 2026-08-19, 16:09. Edited 2 times in total.

Reply 7 of 16, by cyclone3d

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Try doing an RMA through G.Skill. they are lifetime warranty though I am not sure if they require a proof of purchase as I have only ever had to do one RMA through G.Skill.

Have you tried cleaning the edge contacts with a pencil eraser? Dirt or oxidation can make sticks of RAM not work at all.

Yamaha modified setupds and drivers
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Aopen AW744L II SB-LINK

Reply 8 of 16, by AaronS

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shevalier wrote on Yesterday, 15:42:

Get it running on the 1600 MHz JEDEC profile first—which is what it actually is.

I'm doing that, I even tried going down to 1333 but no matter what, they won't post. Also tried on my brothers Haswell board, same deal. They're deaderino.

cyclone3d wrote on Yesterday, 16:06:

Try doing an RMA through G.Skill. they are lifetime warranty though I am not sure if they require a proof of purchase as I have only ever had to do one RMA through G.Skill.

Have you tried cleaning the edge contacts with a pencil eraser? Dirt or oxidation can make sticks of RAM not work at all.

I tried IPA which recently I had to do on a PCI soundcard and that worked afterward, but these just seem to be dead. The SPD info/chip does get read when it's booted alongside the working ram.

I could contact them I suppose, nothing to lose.

Reply 9 of 16, by Trashbytes

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AaronS wrote on Yesterday, 16:09:
shevalier wrote on Yesterday, 15:42:

Get it running on the 1600 MHz JEDEC profile first—which is what it actually is.

I'm doing that, I even tried going down to 1333 but no matter what, they won't post. Also tried on my brothers Haswell board, same deal. They're deaderino.

Try the advice above and deoxit the edge connector, cant hurt to throw everything at them.

As for RMA ...you may get lucky but even if they say yes it may be a refund for the dead sticks since even DDR3 supplies right now are very limited or non existent at suppliers and Ive been hearing stories that they are just refunding for the initial cost now due to the shortages.

Reply 10 of 16, by cyclone3d

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AaronS wrote on Yesterday, 16:09:
I'm doing that, I even tried going down to 1333 but no matter what, they won't post. Also tried on my brothers Haswell board, sa […]
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shevalier wrote on Yesterday, 15:42:

Get it running on the 1600 MHz JEDEC profile first—which is what it actually is.

I'm doing that, I even tried going down to 1333 but no matter what, they won't post. Also tried on my brothers Haswell board, same deal. They're deaderino.

cyclone3d wrote on Yesterday, 16:06:

Try doing an RMA through G.Skill. they are lifetime warranty though I am not sure if they require a proof of purchase as I have only ever had to do one RMA through G.Skill.

Have you tried cleaning the edge contacts with a pencil eraser? Dirt or oxidation can make sticks of RAM not work at all.

I tried IPA which recently I had to do on a PCI soundcard and that worked afterward, but these just seem to be dead. The SPD info/chip does get read when it's booted alongside the working ram.

I could contact them I suppose, nothing to lose.

I've not had much luck with IPA and it helping with bad contact. Oxidation will not get cleaned off with IPA.

Deoxit is of course fine to use as already stated, but I still don't trust it as much as a pencil eraser.

Yamaha modified setupds and drivers
Yamaha XG repository
YMF7x4 Guide
Aopen AW744L II SB-LINK

Reply 11 of 16, by Trashbytes

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cyclone3d wrote on Yesterday, 16:17:
AaronS wrote on Yesterday, 16:09:
I'm doing that, I even tried going down to 1333 but no matter what, they won't post. Also tried on my brothers Haswell board, sa […]
Show full quote
shevalier wrote on Yesterday, 15:42:

Get it running on the 1600 MHz JEDEC profile first—which is what it actually is.

I'm doing that, I even tried going down to 1333 but no matter what, they won't post. Also tried on my brothers Haswell board, same deal. They're deaderino.

cyclone3d wrote on Yesterday, 16:06:

Try doing an RMA through G.Skill. they are lifetime warranty though I am not sure if they require a proof of purchase as I have only ever had to do one RMA through G.Skill.

Have you tried cleaning the edge contacts with a pencil eraser? Dirt or oxidation can make sticks of RAM not work at all.

I tried IPA which recently I had to do on a PCI soundcard and that worked afterward, but these just seem to be dead. The SPD info/chip does get read when it's booted alongside the working ram.

I could contact them I suppose, nothing to lose.

I've not had much luck with IPA and it helping with bad contact. Oxidation will not get cleaned off with IPA.

Deoxit is of course fine to use as already stated, but I still don't trust it as much as a pencil eraser.

Thanks for reminding me to go get more for my odds and sods drawer, Deoxit is great for places you cant get a pencil eraser into, which is quite a few for PC parts.

Reply 12 of 16, by shevalier

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AaronS wrote:

. The SPD info/chip does get read when it's booted alongside the working ram.

I could contact them I suppose, nothing to lose.

Try placing the working memory stick (the one whose SPD reads properly) into the first slot, and the unrecognized one into the second slot on the same channel.
Then try reading the SPD using an SPD reading utility.
SPD Tool or RW - every thing

Aopen MX3S, PIII-S Tualatin 1133, Radeon 9800Pro@XT BIOS, Audigy 4 SB0610
JetWay K8T8AS, Athlon DH-E6 3000+, Radeon HD2600Pro AGP, Audigy 2 Value SB0400
Gigabyte Ga-k8n51gmf, Turion64 ML-30@2.2GHz , Radeon X800GTO PL16, Diamond monster sound MX300

Reply 13 of 16, by AaronS

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cyclone3d wrote on Yesterday, 16:17:

I've not had much luck with IPA and it helping with bad contact. Oxidation will not get cleaned off with IPA.

Deoxit is of course fine to use as already stated, but I still don't trust it as much as a pencil eraser.

is this on the memory chips themselves or the ram contacts?

shevalier wrote on Yesterday, 16:23:

Try placing the working memory stick (the one whose SPD reads properly) into the first slot, and the unrecognized one into the second slot on the same channel.
Then try reading the SPD using an SPD reading utility.
SPD Tool or RW - every thing

Would that make a difference if the SPD is exactly the same on those modules already? like I showed in the first post, second picture, every single detail is the same across all 4.

Reply 14 of 16, by cyclone3d

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AaronS wrote on Yesterday, 17:39:
cyclone3d wrote on Yesterday, 16:17:

I've not had much luck with IPA and it helping with bad contact. Oxidation will not get cleaned off with IPA.

Deoxit is of course fine to use as already stated, but I still don't trust it as much as a pencil eraser.

is this on the memory chips themselves or the ram contacts?

The edge contacts on the DIMMs, not the RAM chips themselves on the DIMMs.

Yamaha modified setupds and drivers
Yamaha XG repository
YMF7x4 Guide
Aopen AW744L II SB-LINK

Reply 15 of 16, by shevalier

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AaronS wrote on Yesterday, 17:39:
is this on the memory chips themselves or the ram contacts? […]
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cyclone3d wrote on Yesterday, 16:17:

I've not had much luck with IPA and it helping with bad contact. Oxidation will not get cleaned off with IPA.

Deoxit is of course fine to use as already stated, but I still don't trust it as much as a pencil eraser.

is this on the memory chips themselves or the ram contacts?

shevalier wrote on Yesterday, 16:23:

Try placing the working memory stick (the one whose SPD reads properly) into the first slot, and the unrecognized one into the second slot on the same channel.
Then try reading the SPD using an SPD reading utility.
SPD Tool or RW - every thing

Would that make a difference if the SPD is exactly the same on those modules already? like I showed in the first post, second picture, every single detail is the same across all 4.

There's nothing you can do if the RAM is bad.

Aopen MX3S, PIII-S Tualatin 1133, Radeon 9800Pro@XT BIOS, Audigy 4 SB0610
JetWay K8T8AS, Athlon DH-E6 3000+, Radeon HD2600Pro AGP, Audigy 2 Value SB0400
Gigabyte Ga-k8n51gmf, Turion64 ML-30@2.2GHz , Radeon X800GTO PL16, Diamond monster sound MX300

Reply 16 of 16, by cyclone3d

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shevalier wrote on Today, 04:02:
AaronS wrote on Yesterday, 17:39:
is this on the memory chips themselves or the ram contacts? […]
Show full quote
cyclone3d wrote on Yesterday, 16:17:

I've not had much luck with IPA and it helping with bad contact. Oxidation will not get cleaned off with IPA.

Deoxit is of course fine to use as already stated, but I still don't trust it as much as a pencil eraser.

is this on the memory chips themselves or the ram contacts?

shevalier wrote on Yesterday, 16:23:

Try placing the working memory stick (the one whose SPD reads properly) into the first slot, and the unrecognized one into the second slot on the same channel.
Then try reading the SPD using an SPD reading utility.
SPD Tool or RW - every thing

Would that make a difference if the SPD is exactly the same on those modules already? like I showed in the first post, second picture, every single detail is the same across all 4.

There's nothing you can do if the RAM is bad.

Correct.
However, I have brought many lifeless sticks back to fully working order by simply cleaning the edge contacts. This is especially true of older sticks, but I even had ddr4 sticks that refused to work at all until the edge contacts were cleaned.

Yamaha modified setupds and drivers
Yamaha XG repository
YMF7x4 Guide
Aopen AW744L II SB-LINK