Oh no! A chip fell off my RAM module!

imac9556 · February 16th, 2004, 03:00 AM

Oh no,
while I was taking out my Kingston PC2700 512MB Chip out of my computer I saw something small fall off. A small reistor/tiny fuse thing fell off. (its very small) Well, I tired the chip out, and it still works and identifys the correct size. I even ran a RAM tester and it tests ok... Should I be concerned? Get an RMA?

Here is a example pic of how it looks like:
http://anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.html?i=1849&p=8

Look at the picture and see the little small thing above the RAM chip (black retangle things) Its that liittle tiny white thing.

Sorry everyone, I'm not too good on identifing the parts of a RAm chip

thanks, paul

Dax_Brandy · February 16th, 2004, 03:33 AM

expect some instability in the future... those components are still part of the memory circuit. it could be a diode/resistor/capacitor.

imac9556 · February 16th, 2004, 03:35 AM

yeah, i think it was a resistor, it was a little and white.
How should I contact Kingston about this problem? Does anyone had this happen to them before?
Thanks

HeadBand · February 16th, 2004, 03:46 AM

check the kingston website for a phone number you can call....but kingston (and most other ram) does have a lifetime warranty

imac9556 · February 16th, 2004, 03:48 AM

ok, thanks

i'll do that tomm.
thanks techimo!

cysus · February 16th, 2004, 04:42 AM

most kingston ram has a "lifetime" guarantee so it should be no problem getting them to replace it.

WildFrisco · March 16th, 2005, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imac9556

yeah, i think it was a resistor, it was a little and white.
How should I contact Kingston about this problem? Does anyone had this happen to them before?
Thanks

Hey I've done the same thing once (and hopefully never again) long ago because a Coolermaster cpu heatsink clip draped over my Kingston DDR400 module. My ram module is still totally stable and error free in Windows and while Memtesting. Just to be sure I've used it in both VIA and Nvidia chipsets with no problems. However this is still on the back of my mind and I probably want to get it fixed as well.

So I'm curious; how did the RMA go? Costs? Thanks.

imac9556 · March 16th, 2005, 11:03 PM

Hey,
The RMA is free and I didn't have any problems. They sent me a new module with a receipt, just like if I were to purchase directly from their store, but with no charge. You can do the advance RMA on their website so they send you a new chip 1st, and then you sent it back at your costs, I think.
Good luck and please let us know what happens

-Paul

WildFrisco · March 17th, 2005, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imac9556

Hey,
The RMA is free and I didn't have any problems. They sent me a new module with a receipt, just like if I were to purchase directly from their store, but with no charge. You can do the advance RMA on their website so they send you a new chip 1st, and then you sent it back at your costs, I think.
Good luck and please let us know what happens

-Paul

Wow. I knew there HAD to be a reason for me to build with Kingston memory.

OK now I want to decide if I really want to do this, because I actually have 2 Kingston 512MB DDR400 modules that I purchased at the same time. Although they weren't in matched dual channel sets, the part numbers are the same of course and the chips are too. They also work flawlessy in dual channel setups (NF2 U 400 & Intel 865PE). Only 1 is damaged as I described in my previous post.

What to do, what to do. Any suggestions? Intentionally damage the other one as well? LOL

imac9556 · March 17th, 2005, 01:42 AM

I don't know.. Maybe take the chance with the advance RMA. If its matching, take it, if it isn't try it out, and if it isn't good, just return the new chip back to them. Maybe that little piece is not that important, but if I were you, I'd give it a chance

Good luck!