i6400 Memory/Mobo issue

so my i6400 came orig with 2x512 ram sticks, one per slot -- recently (i have it it 2+ years) i realized that i was having a RAM issue (BSOD + other windows errors pointed directly to this problem) and ordered 2 x 1 gig sticks of ram from newegg...when i realized what the problem was i pulled out 1 of the 512 sticks and it worked fine -- without a problem

i recieved the 2 new sticks and put them in, tried to start up, no luck...

tried one stick, worked fine.
(turned off)
tried other new stick, worked fine
(turned off)
replaced the original stick, worked fine.
(turned off)
replaced orig stick #1 with the stick that i thought had died/was bad, worked.

(also dealt with the dell POST? diagnostics -- flashing lock indicators -- which told me there was a problem with the RAM)

as far as i can tell the problem is that one of the RAM slots doesnt work...since all 4 of the sticks of RAM worked just fine on their own.

the question is -- is my only (current) option to basically deal with it and use one of the RAM slots (maybe buy a 2 gig stick?) -- equally if one of the RAM slots has died the only way to "replace" it is to buy a new/refurb mobo (~ $170 on ebay) correct?

at ~170 for a new mobo (i6400 cant be worth much more than ~400) theres not much sense in replacing the mobo from ebay, right?

so my options are:
1) sell it
2) deal with 1 ram slot working/1 not working
3) replace mobo

or do i have any other choices?

thanks ahead of time for the read/help

 

That's pretty much it. In the first case, it probably won't fetch much with the broken memory slot. In the third case, you may be able to recoup some of the cost by selling the bad board off as parts. In the second case, you'll probably be able to replace the motherboard at a significantly lower cost in a year or two.

I'd personally go for case two or three.

 

Which memory bay is causing the problem?

slot A or B?

Remove both memory cards, and get a flashlight. Inspect all of the pins to make sure they are all straight and not touching the adjacent pin. If any are touching, use the blunt side of an x-acto blade and straighten them. If all are straight, is the sodimm socket loose?

K-TRON

 

slot B is causing the problem

checked the pins last nite w/o any luck -- double checked the slot well...still no luck

 

that is quite unfortunate. Are you out of warranty through Dell?

If you are try calling up and see what they can do. Who knows maybe they can give you a new board if you give them your old one and some money.

Good luck,

K-TRON