Loaded new RAM, still getting "No RAM found"

Factual Questions
1

I’ve got an Intel DQ35MP mobo in a SliverStone table-top case. Because I was so busy, I paid a local computer shop to assemble all my separate components.

Since it was finished months ago, I’d only used the rear audio jacks for sound, until two weeks ago, when I tried to connect my headphones to the front audio jack. But when the jack touched the hole, there was a loud SNAP, a bright flash, and the smell of smoke and maybe ozone!

After that, I took it to a different shop to determine what went wrong. The tech showed me that the Hi-Def front panel audio’s connector was totally screwed: The builder had connected only half the pins and left the other half hanging in the air. Not only that, but the SilverStone connector was completely incompatible with the Intel mobo’s pins in the first place (which is probably why the builder didn’t connect it properly). What a mess!

It wouldn’t boot, so I disassembled everything and sent the mobo back for replacement (which they did, and very quickly, too!) When I then tried to boot, I got a 3-beep code which meant “No RAM found”.

So I figured the RAM was blown, too, so I returned it to Corsair with an RMA. But since I didn’t want to wait for Corsair to replace the two 2GB sticks, I bought 2 more of the exact same model and brand.

But just now, when I inserted the brand new RAM and tried booting, I got the exact same 3-beep code meaning “no RAM found”!

What’s wrong now? If the CPU were also fried, would I get that code do you think? What do you recommend I try next?

2

You replaced the mobo but not the CPU? It’s the only original component left? Then yes, that’s where the problem is. Really you need to take the whole thing back to the shop and say “your build tech fried my machine. Give it back to me when it’s fixed and working”. No need to tell them about the new RAM, that’s an irrelevant complication that will just confuse matters.

3

That’s very clear thinking, Askance. Thank you; that’s what I’ll do. The owner of that shop has jerked me around before and tried to cheat me in a business deal, so I don’t expect willing cooperation. But I’ve won every time I’ve been forced to take a case to small claims court, so if he tries to cheat me again, that’s what I’ll do.

4

Just be sure the ram is seated and the BIOS set to the right speed of memory first.