Just wrote off motherboard / RAM, it seems...

[Mike Peel]

My computer failed to start up today. It hung on BIOS, just before the memory test. So, thinking it was the RAM that was at fault, I took it out and put it into a flatmate's computer. Started up the computer, and fried two pins on the RAM, as well as the corresponding connectors on the motherboard.

I'm now trying to work out why this was happening. The RAM's 512MB of Corsair Value Select PC3200, and the motherboard's a GigaByte GA-7VAX (http://www.giga-byte.com/Motherboard...ts_GA-7VAX.htm). Looking at the specs of the motherboard, it says it only supports up to 333MHz RAM. Could the problem lie here? It also had a chip of PC2700 cheapo RAM in it at the same time. Could this be the problem?

[bsodmike]

It isn't a problem installing ram that is @ a higher spec - it will just run at the maximum the system can go and many people do this to prevent having to buy 'new' ram when they upgrade their system in the future.

Tell me one thing, did you turn off the power to your friends box by either the switch on the PSU or the wall (if it's a chepo psu with no switch)?

If not, it's possible the ram wasnt' seated right but it doubt that the chepo ram could cause it to fry like that....but possible.

P.S. Things fry (usually) when there is a short, which is another way of saying too much current has flown through said entity.

[Mike Peel]

Computer was turned off using the power button on the front of the computer, or the switch on the back of the PSU. I didn't touch the wall socket..

The RAM didn't look like it was seated right when I took the case off my computer when it failed to turn on, but it wasn't until it was put into my flatmate's machine before it burned (you could tell my the stench that was put out when it happened...)

[bsodmike]

If the PSU wasn't switched off - that explains it!. There is a 5vsb (& 3.3/3.6v to ram) running through the system at all times and explains the fried ram/mobo

[myth]

actualy a short is when curent is aplied to where it should not be... Such a jumping traces... Or grounding out... Oh, and I forgot to turn mine off before while I changed ram! But it didnt fry! I just got lucky...

[bsodmike]

Tbh a short is when a connection is made between two nodes with zero resistance between the two and by ohm's law I=V/R, infinite current - i.e. we don't need no water let the mofo burn!

[myth]

curent devided by volts times resistance... evry noob knows that! Do you play electrican too?

[bsodmike]

only cosplay on Thursdays...but being an Elec Eng student has nothing to do with it of course

[bsodmike]

curent devided by volts times resistance... evry noob knows that! Do you play electrican too?

And oh, you got it wrong R = V/I

(sorry I couldn't help my self!)

P.S. - I/V = 1/R = G (conductance, units siemens)

[Shogun]

And oh, you got it wrong R = V/I

(sorry I couldn't help my self!)

P.S. - I/V = 1/R = G (conductance, units siemens)

Pwnd tbh, And yes it is right. Think i learned that about 4 years ago when i was 12/13

[myth]

Pwnd tbh, And yes it is right. Think i learned that about 4 years ago when i was 12/13

yep! My bad... I'm alitle stressed right now, got to go to work in about 20 mins!