Some questions about my RAM

[RainDowg]

I got this ram recently. I went to put it, was a bit careless, and broke off the capacitor/transistor/component/whatever it's called circled in this pic of similar ram. In two different 24hr runs of memtest I've not received any errors. I'm overclocking it with a barton mobile and nf7-s that's at 12x208 right now. It also went 30hrs in Prime95 with no errors or warnings. In fact, it doesn't seem to have any problems at all except when my pc boots.

When I first put the ram in and would boot, it would just show the total amount installed, of course. Then I had taken the ram out and when I put it back in is when I broke off the little piece. Now when I boot it always counts the ram, but when it reaches the end it just starts over again. So I hit esc to quit the memory test and then it it appears to reboot, this time not counting the memory or showing the amount. However, boot coninues normally and it seems to start loading windows. But then I get the screen telling me windows didn't boot properly the last time, how do I want to load windows...Sometimes if I hit load last good setting, then windows will start up. Sometimes it reboots again and I get the same screen. Sometimes when I hit load windows normally, it does the same thing. Now, when I finally get to my desktop (which, so far, it will do eventually) everything seems to be fine again.

So obviously, it's not completely ruined. But my questions are 1. What is the piece that broke off? (and is it causing the problems at startup?) 2. Since it seems to work fine, except when booting, should I worry about getting some new sticks? (will it cause problems in the future?) 3. Does any of this make any sense?

This post ended being a little longer than I aniticpated. My apologies. But if anyone has any advice/input/knowledge they could share, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[LiLithTecH]

The pic does not really show what you broke off, but if I had
to guess, it most likely is a "bypass cap". The 'Cap' is used
for filtering voltage to the ram module.

You probably are not getting the full use of all the RAM on the
defective module (which is why it some what works).

The module will eventually FAIL.
Also, you are almost guaranteed to experience corrupted files,
drop-outs from applications, etc...

RMA or Warranty if you can.

 

[RainDowg]

Just to be sure about what broke, here is another pic. I hope that shows more clearly. Thanks for the info. I believe it may be too late for RMA but could I even use that, or the warranty, when I was the one that damged the RAM? Part of me is excited for an excuse to buy some better memory, with prices so low. But then my wallet feels otherwise. Thanks, again, for the help.

 

[Luckyboy1]

OCZ is so excellent about their rMA process. Just tell them you used normal care in installing and the part broke anyways. Don't tell them you were careless even if it's true! Use the Bart Simpson Defense which goes as follows...

I didn't do it!
It was like that when I got here!
You can't prove a thing!

I once had to return this itme because they got a batch with bad rheostats...

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/p...ment/ocz_ddr_booster_diagnostic_device

All I had to do was call a number and the guy was out to lunch and he DID return my call within a couple of hours. We chatted for like 5 minutes and he gave me the rMA number. He explained that as soon as I e-mailed him the tracking number for the ground shipment I was making, he'd send it out by second day air and I got the replacement part before they got the bad part to check it!