Corsair Memory Issue

[JDowny]

Hi, forgive me for using my first post to start a thread, but it's an urgent situation and I was recommended the OC forums as a way to help. I've searched and seen similar problems, but from my experience with different components it's not necessarily the same solution.

Basically I just finished building my first system and turned the power on and everything seemed to be running fine - the fans worked, the lights were on, it all seemed cool. However, on the POST code on the motherboard it keeps saying C1. As I understand it, this relates to a memory issue, namely:
-Auto-detection of DRAM size, type and ECC
-Auto-detection of L2 cache (socket 7 or below)

The memory I've gone for is Corsair 2x 2GB DDR2 800MHz 1.8v. I've so far checked that they're in the correct slots (DIMM1 and 3), taken them out and put them back in and cleared the CMOS. Is it a memory issue or a motherboard issue? I've tried connecting it to a monitor but nothing shows up on the monitor.

As I said, this was my first system build so I don't have much idea what I'm doing beyond the guides, which only take you so far - just put the memory in and that will be it. Any help would be very much appreciated.

Motherboard: Abit IP35 Pro XE

 

[JDowny]

Sorry for the late reply - been engaged for the past couple of days and could only get around to doing some real work on the computer today. Thanks for the fantastic input though.

I've tried changing the memory around - using different slots, only using one stick of memory and I changed CMOS every time - and still no luck. I've double and triple checked all the wires and connectors are in their correct spaces. It's tricky, because with a new build I can be fairly sure of what I need, but I can't be so sure of what I don't need. I've got a friend who's bringing round some spare memory this evening so I'll see if that changes anything.

I may have overlooked one thing though - I suspect that the hard drive isn't working. Up until now I just thought that it was the fans making all the noise, but apparently hard drives do too. I can't hear anything from the HDD, but I also can't feel any vibrations at all when I put my finger to it. Could this be the cause of the problem?

System details:

• CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz Socket 775
• Motherboard: Abit IP35 Pro XE
• Memory: Corsair 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 800MHz 1.8v
• Hard Drive: Western Digital 500GB SATA II 7200RPM 16MB Cache – OEM
• GPU: ATI HD 4870 1GB
• PSU: OCZ Stealth XStream 700W

 

[JDowny]

Right, finally got round to getting the memory and being able to check it, and thankfully it did work with his. Which means it's an issue with my RAM. His was OCZ 2GB 800MHz 1.8v RAM as well, which is exactly the same as mine. The only difference was the manufacturer and the added heatsink.

I assume it's a dud? I can't keep it for longer than two days and I have to set up my BIOS and install the OS, not to mention finding some way to connect to the internet, so I don't think I'll be able to test the memory on memtest.

I'm planning to RMA it to the website I brought it off. I would be able to exchange it for another type of memory however. What would you recommend doing? Perhaps some more tests to see if I can get it to work? Or would there be different sort of memory that you'd recommend? Thanks for the help so far, it's really been invaluable.

 

[JDowny]

Good luck! (i, personally, like the Kingston HyperX 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 8500 - if you exchanging for different brand)

Sorry about the late reply again, but I thought I'd tell you how it went. Basically it was dud RAM, so I was able to RMA and when that was approved, ordered the memory that you recommended (which works incredibly by the way). It's all working brilliantly now. The difference between playing GTA IV on my old machine and my new one is tantamount to being blind and then being able to see, it's truly incredible. So thanks for all the help, you really made a huge difference.