Man what's going on with my PC?

[Skooby]

I tried installing new ram (I have two open slots). Nothing happened...I got a black screen. It's the same exact RAM that I had in there. The only difference is the 'version'.

I take out the two new RAM, cut on the PC and the CPU light turns red. So I clean it out a little by taking off the cpu fan blowing dust off of it. It was bytch putting it back in but I got it back in there and then cut it back on and it works but after I got off it it my PC went to sleep after 45 minutes. I click my mouse and everything cuts on but I get the black screen again. I shut it off and cut it back on but DRAM light turns red. I turn it off and blow a little and cut it back on again and my PC is up and running right now.

However, the front two USB ports are not working. The back USBs are working and the one of my harddrive is working but the front two near the power button isn't. They weren't working when I got it back on the first time. On top of that, the power button is lower than it should be. I have to take the top off and use tweezers to turn it on.

I did the Windows 7 system image backup after I got it on the first time. Backed it up to an external HDD. Also, I set the PC to never goto sleep. I'm moving to another state on the 17th and I'm going to need my computer to print shyt and to get other info for my move. Plus I'm busy with packing and cleaning the apartment.

Any advice? I think it needs a thorough cleaning but how do you do that? Should I get some compressed air? I still don't know why the RAM isn't working (I only tried to put them in once). Should I just keep it on 24/7 until I get to my new destination (DMV) and take it to a professional if it doesn't cut on when I set it up? I built the PC myself 5 years ago but I haven't really been in the loop with anything computer related since then.

 

[Uh Oh]

So these problems started when you tried installing new ram?
Did you remove the entire CPU cooler when you cleaned its fan? If so, did you apply new thermal paste?
For your USB issue, there should be a cable that goes from the front of your computer case, near the USB ports, and plugs into the motherboard. This may have been disconnected. It will look like one of these:

Since power button is bad, too, it could be the front panel on the inside of the case that needs to be checked for loose connections and reseated.

 

[Skooby]

So these problems started when you tried installing new ram?
Did you remove the entire CPU cooler when you cleaned its fan? If so, did you apply new thermal paste?
For your USB issue, there should be a cable that goes from the front of your computer case, near the USB ports, and plugs into the motherboard. This may have been disconnected. It will look like one of these:

Since power button is bad, too, it could be the front panel on the inside of the case that needs to be checked for loose connections and reseated.

My PC was running slow over the last couple of months. I figured I needed new RAM.
Yes I did. No I didn't apply new paste. What should I do? What do you think the issue is?

 

[daze23]

make sure those front usb's are plugged into the mobo. in general make sure everything is plugged in correctly, cause you're having weird issues, and you might have knocked something loose at some point

will the memory work on it's own (without the old ram)? you can test it one stick at a time

 

[Skooby]

make sure those front usb's are plugged into the mobo. in general make sure everything is plugged in correctly, cause you're having weird issues, and you might have knocked something loose at some point

will the memory work on it's own (without the old ram)? you can test it one stick at a time

I thought of that, but I almost don't even want to cut it off now.

@Uh Oh I downloaded CPUID HWMonitor. Here are the tempatures for my i7 860:

The only thing I have running right now is the internet.

Core #0 Value 64 *C; Min 57 *C; Max 80 *C
Core #1 Value 62 *C; Min 55 *C; Max 79 *C
Core #2 Value 63 *C; Min 57 *C; Max 78 *C
Core #3 Value 66 *C; Min 55 *C; Max 77 *C

 

[Skooby]

I'm on my tablet. Temps are now hovering around the mid-40's with no internet.

 

[Uh Oh]

Temps seem a little high. Anything blocking the air intakes on the computer? Make sure the fan on the CPU cooler is plugged into a "CPU fan" port on the motherboard. If it is, you might want to reapply some thermal paste onto the CPU cooler and make sure it's installed correctly.
Like @daze23 said, make sure everything is plugged in correctly, and try testing the ram individually.

 

[Liquid]

That's the only thing I could come up with as well. Sounds like your USB on the inside is loose and the CPU temps appear to be a little high, are you running with the stock heatsink? Probably are...those can be replaced cheap on newegg. How is your cable routing? In fact, what computer is it anyway? AMD chips tend to run a little hotter, especially something 5+ years old...at this point I would probably invest in a new heatsink.

Reapplying thermal paste can be found cheap also, you don't even need that much of it, a little dab and then spread across the cpu. Plenty of videos online to show you how to do it.

canned air will be your best friend as well, blast all that shyt that is probably built up in there. Costs like $6 at home depot.

 

[Liquid]

Also, have we completely ruled out that your hard drive might be going out? 5 years...those things tend to slow down after a while and might be getting close to that end of life.

 

[Skooby]

I'm real busy with packing and preparing for my move so I don't have time to fool around with it. Took my PC to a computer store. One of the knobs was loose on the heatsink. They had one in the back just like mine and put it on and reapplied thermal paste. The heat levels are now in the mid-30s with the internet on. I put the RAM in and that's working...all 4 slots used.

The power button is lifted back up to where it is. Couldn't figure out my USB ports on top of the PC near the power button. This guy tried everything. He said they were dead ports. The USBs connected directly to my motherboard work fine. Also the one on my media drive work fine.

 

[Skooby]

Also, have we completely ruled out that your hard drive might be going out? 5 years...those things tend to slow down after a while and might be getting close to that end of life.

Which harddrives do you recommend for an upgrade?

My current: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB

 

[ItWasWritten]

Which harddrives do you recommend for an upgrade?

I recommend Ssd's from here on out so you dont have to deal with mechanical bullshyt....


Cpu tmps high...maybe re-apply thermal paste???

Which cpu do you have??

 

[itsyoung!!]

Next time take a picture of your motherboard before you unplug everything, then that way you know exactly how to plug everything back in no problem

 

[Skooby]

I recommend Ssd's from here on out so you dont have to deal with mechanical bullshyt....


Cpu tmps high...maybe re-apply thermal paste???

Which cpu do you have??

I have an i7 860.

Thermal paste has been reapplied and the temps are running cooler.

Next time take a picture of your motherboard before you unplug everything, then that way you know exactly how to plug everything back in no problem

Good idea.

 

[Liquid]

Which harddrives do you recommend for an upgrade?

My current: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB

I would get an SSD and then use a regular hard drive for storage.