How to solve this weird problem on Z61m? RAM or mainboard?

[frankiepankie]

Hi,

Found a Z61m on a 2nd hand website, i bought it for cheap, and it is currently on it's way to me. But it has a weird problem. Doesn anyone recognize this?

Quote from the seller:

Sometimes it works for long times without a problem (even when shaking, lifting it etc) and sometimes it dies when even for example only looking at it.

When it has died, it usually won't power up again when pressing the start button. You then have to remove the power supply, the battery, and then putting them back again. Then the battery light will illuminate again. If the light goes outoff directly after you press the power button, the 'short' is still there.

If you remove the upper memory module and put it back it usually just powers on.
Touching the upper ram module while the machine is running is a way to trigger the problem. I have tested the machine with Memtest86+ with nevery found any problems. Leaving a module out, or changing didn't help.

[ajkula66]

It's the board, and there's likely more than just one problem with it...

I'd guess a defective RAM slot to begin with, along with some moisture damage to the power area.

May I be wrong this time around.

Good luck.

[TuuS]

Look at the board carefully under magnification, you'll probably see corrosion. Someone who is really good at soldering "may" be able to fix it, but my guess is it will continue to have random problems so a board replacement would be the best option assuming the diagnosis is correct.

Good Luck

[ganon11000]

sounds like the board or at least that the RAM slot is causing the short?