RAM problem #2 The Case of Being Unable to Shutdown
After removing the bad stick of RAM from computer, I've come across another urksome problem. This time the problem is not being able to shutdown my computer. How odd, right? One would think, "Sure, a RAM problem causing a computer to be unable to boot, but shutdown? How in the world?" Yep, it couldn't shutdown.
How was the problem fixed? Simple. I asked overclock.net's forum and the matter came down to my RAM timings. Link: http://www.overclock.net/intel-memory/1037615-problem-shutting-down-ram-voltage-problem.html#post13807375
RAM timings basically tell the RAM when to store, process, and release data. I won't go into detail about what those timings are as I keep forgetting all the specifics myself, but if you're curious go here: http://www.overclock.net/intel-memory/9981-ram-timing-explained.html
Anyway, normally my OCZ Gold 1066MHz RAM is set at 5-6-6-18. In this case simply changing the CAS Latency (the first number of the four) fixed the problem. So now my timings are at 6-6-6-18 and the computer can shutdown properly. Why is this so? Well, as I was told: with high performing RAM comes ware and tear. Since I've used the RAM for several years, it can no longer perform as fast as it could (the first number, the CAS Latency, has a big impact on on how fast the RAM performs). However, I can deal with the RAM being only slightly slower.
Now if only I could replace the module that went bad...