Okay...got it going

[SHRED]

Weird...I took 2 of the 4 sticks RAM out to see if they'd work in my wife's desktop. They didn't. So I put them back in and just for the heck of it I fired it up...IT WORKS!

So disregard my previous posts...for know...LOL.

Very happy

Thanks all!

[PrestonLocke]

1. The connections on the ram are getting old and gummed up

Take some fine sandpaper to the gold connectors on the RAM and shine them up a bit, otherwise you will be doing this again and again.

[gvstn]

4. I had always heard use a pencil eraser.

I only want to put that out there as a possible course of action if sandpaper sounds too intimidating.

I have never, personally, had to use either method. So there may be pluses or minuses to either method that I don't know about.

@Shred, glad you got it sorted.

[PrestonLocke]

5. I don't see why a pencil eraser wouldn't work!

Nice!

[RC]

6. Never ever use sand or emery paper.

A pencil eraser or even a dry paper towel will work just fine. So will an alcohol swab, if you need something wet.

[PrestonLocke]

7. Is there a specific reason as to why not?

Sandpaper has worked countless times for me especially when cleaning with alcohol was not enough.

Saying something like "never ever" is one heck of an absolute.

[RC]

8. The contacts are thin enough already.

Sanding them makes the contacts that much thinner and so reduces the contact pressure in the sockets.

Usually the problem is oxidation caused by the dirt pulled into the computer. Often just re-seating the memory is enough.
Many people place their computers on the floor, which is a bad place for a computer, because of the dust and dirt stirred up just by walking around in the vicinity. The moisture in the air can combine with the dirt and causes corrosion of the contacts.

I used to be IT for an office. The computers set on the floor seem to have more problems than those up on the work surface. And for sure had more dirt when I had to open them.

[PrestonLocke]

11. I learned this trick repairing old arcade machines

Some of the boards would be 20+ years old. Re-seating and a gentle cleaning just didn't work for those cards.

I could understand how something less abrasive would work for newer and properly maintained machines.

[Iterate]

10. It's about risk.

You might get away with sometimes, but I've never had an occasion where contact cleaner or even pure isopropyl did damage or failed to clean the oxidation and grunge.

Like RC, I don't want risk being stuck under a lab desk at 9pm on a Friday because some gummy crumbs got into a socket, or worse, explaining to a client that a new card needs to be ordered (at my expense of course) because I ripped the foil from a pin. It's not worth it.

Personal gear is different, but really, without the time pressure there's even less of a reason to take a shortcut.

[PoliticAverse]

2. "Remove power from the PC. Reseat the memory boards..."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1095&pid=8511

[SHRED]

3. I didn't listen very well

Last 48 hrs have been kinda of a whirlwind with other issues distracting.

Thanks!

[Iterate]

9. Good!

Saved from the bin.

Free or easy are usually the first things to check (like the ubiquitous "reboot first&quot -not only because they're the more common problems, but you can either learn some clue along the way or eliminate some aggravating intermittent or coincidental issues.

Use 90%+ isopropyl alcohol or contact cleaner and lint-free cotton or linen, if at all possible.