Help! My PC is stuck in a boot loop, but only when RAM is installed. Is my motherboard dead?

Understanding and Troubleshooting Persistent PC Boot Loop Issues Linked to RAM Installation

Encountering persistent boot problems can be a frustrating experience, especially when the issue appears tied to specific hardware components. If you’re facing a situation where your PC refuses to boot correctly when RAM modules are installed, but stabilizes without them, it suggests there may be underlying hardware concerns, possibly related to the motherboard or RAM slots. Here’s a comprehensive guide to diagnosing and potentially resolving such issues.

Case Overview

Your system specifications are as follows:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600
• Graphics Card: AMD RX 6600
• RAM: 32GB (from PCSpecialist)
• Motherboard: Gigabyte A520M K V2

Symptoms Observed

• The system powers on with fans running and LED indicators flashing in a loop (approx. 5 seconds on, 1 second off).
• No display output on the monitor; the screen remains black.
• Keyboard and mouse remain unlit, indicating no peripheral activity.
• The issue only manifests when RAM modules are installed; without RAM, the system stays powered but does not attempt to boot fully.

Troubleshooting Attempts Performed

1. CMOS Reset: Shorted the Clear CMOS pins to reset BIOS settings; no change in behavior.
2. Motherboard Speaker Test: Connected a case speaker for POST beeps; no sounds detected, implying no error codes are generated.
3. RAM Removal Test: PC operates normally (fans spin steadily, no boot loop) when RAM is removed.
4. RAM Slot and Stick Testing: Tried each RAM stick in each slot; the system consistently enters a boot loop with RAM installed, regardless of which stick or slot is used.

Analysis and Potential Causes

Given these symptoms, the problem likely resides within one of the following areas:

• Faulty RAM modules or incompatible RAM
• Damaged RAM slots on the motherboard
• A motherboard fault, specifically in the memory controller area
• Power supply issues are less likely, as the system powers on and the problem is isolated to RAM presence

Since the system behaves normally without RAM, and all RAM configurations cause the boot loop, the issue points toward either defective RAM or a motherboard malfunction affecting RAM compatibility.

Recommended Next Steps

1. Test Known-Good RAM: If possible, try booting with a different set of compatible RAM, preferably from a different manufacturer, to rule out defective RAM modules.

2. Use Minimum Hardware Configuration:
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