Computer won't boot, DRAM_LED on

Excitement · February 21, 2016

My computer randomly stopped working one day. It simply didn't show anything on the screen. I opened it up and the DRAM_LED was on, so I tested each RAM stick(2 of them) in every spot while pressing the memOK button after installing each, no luck. I then didn't know what else to try so I unplugged everything, cleared CMOS, and put it all together. It worked.

Then I realized yesterday that I hadn't re-overclocked or re-applied thermal paste(Temps were high) so I took the CPU off, reapplied paste, and put it back in. It wouldn't POST or turn on. There was a solid red DRAM_LED. So I took the CPU out, reseated it, turned it on, but now it would turn on, the CPU Led would flash quickly, then the DRAM_LED would blink, and then after a few minutes it would shut off. Tried turning the power supply off and on, now it would turn on but then instantly shut off.

So I tried removing ALL the components except MOBO, PSU, CPU, and one stick of RAM which I alternated. Still doesn't work. (I cleared CMOS overnight).

My specs:

Asus z87-A motherboard

Pentium G3258 (Previous OC to 4.2Ghz)

2x4GB Kingston FURY RAM (1866Mhz)

EVGA GTX 760

Corsair Spec-01 Case

EVGA 500 Watt PSU 80+ Bronze

I really don't know what it could be now, except maybe CPU or Motherboard? Or PSU. I don't have any friends to test components with, sadly. I tried taking the MOBO out of the case to see if maybe it's the standoffs causing interference but I couldn't get the Motherboard power connector unplugged and was afraid I'd break the motherboard.

Edit: No bent pins on the CPU socket

Trey222 · February 21, 2016

Make sure these is nothing on the pads of the CPU.

Excitement · February 21, 2016

Just now, Trey222 said:

Make sure these is nothing on the pads of the CPU.

I wiped down the bottom of the CPU earlier with an alcohol wipe and still didn't work.

Excitement · February 21, 2016

I think I found the problem, I took everything out of the case and it now works. My thoughts are that this is a grounding issue, but I have the standoffs installed. Anyone have any solutions to help that?