I just can't work out what the problem is (Dual Mode)....

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Long story short....

I blew my PSU one day when I switched on the computer (spike in electricity mains I guess - Have now invested in a surge protector).

I bought a new PSU and the computer was still not working (No beeps, Can't get to BIOS), So I thought the MoBo must have had gone too and so bought a new motherboard.

New motherboard did not work either (exact same problem), I'm kinda frustrated and tried the board with just one stick of RAM and hey presto it works.

Tried same in old Motherboard and same thing it works too (now got a spare motherboard as it was not the problem).

Anyway I test all 4x512MB DDR PC3200 sticks of ram individualy with Memtest86 and they all pass several times with no errors. The same when combining them and using them in none dual mode - No problems.


HOWEVER: If I use them in dual mode (like I used to do) Memtest goes crazy with errors and even stops the tests. No matter if I have 2 in dual or 4 or 3 sticks in my computer.. All errors. Only having 2 sticks in none dual works fine with no problems (just i'm limited to 1GB in ram none dual on Vista 64 so basicaly my computer is crippled to the point of agony to use it).


When I tryto boot the computer with the memory in dual mode it gets passed bios and splashscreen. But where it whould have the windows logo and load up screen progress bar instead the computer crashes out and just displays weird colours and symbols all over the screen (A bit like when C64 or ZX Spectrums used to crash). I know this must mean it is the memory. But why only in dual mode? BTW I also have a Diagnositc Bracket connected up with the 4 lights system and that says the memory and everything else is alright too.

So is there any way to fix this? Why does the memory work fine when individual and/or not in dual mode?

They worked perfect before the PSU blew. I have the same problem on BOTH motherboards aswell (so it rules out a problem with the board).

It is weird how memtest86 has no errors with them individualy or even paired up in none dual mode. But all hell breaks loose when any are in dual.

Surely if it was dodgey memory it would show up both in dual and none-dual modes?

MEMORY: 4 x GEIL 512MB PC3200 DDR400 CL=2.5-6-3-3
Motherboards: BOTH are MSI RD480 Neo2

I'm at a loss here... I would buy some new memory sticks but I'm worried it is a waste of money as they may not work in dual and then I really am scratching my head as like I say it can't be two MoBos with same fault. Maybe the CPU is knackered and can't hanldle dual anymore or something crazy? I have no idea, I know it sounds stupid.

I just find it weird memory is perfectly fine without dual mode and shows no errors at all (shame I can't use all 2Gigs that way as there would be no problem).


Thanks for any help or advice on the matter, I'm clutching at straws that it is not dodgey memory doue to the power spike meaning they can no longer work in dual mode somehow (maybe it shagged there timings but somehow memtest86 does not pick up on that?).
 
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On both motherboards when using only one stick of RAM it must be inserted in to one of the two Green Channel A slots or it does not work.

I thought this was the case with all motherboards though, where if you use only one stick of RAM that it must be inserted in to a Channel A, as Channel B is reserved for when you have a matched stick in a channel A to go with it for dual mode?

I may be wrong? But anyway on both boards the RAM only work on the two channel A slots, wether using one stick or two sticks.

Anything in the Purple channel B slot on both boards gaurantees a crash loading windows or a complete failure in memtest86 (wether one stick or two or any order possible).


Like I say two seperate boards with same problem so must be ram. But ram reports back perfectly fine when testing unless used in dual mode (they are matched RAM too for dual mode and used to all work perfectly fine).
 
If they memory is grand, and both boards are showing the same issue, then I'd hazard a guess that you've knackered the memory controller on the CPU.

You may try to pick up a dirt cheap Athlon 64 3000+ or Sempron to test with.
 
Good thinking.

My mind kept niggling at me and going back to the CPU as the problem somehow controlling the memory (But I kept thinking I was being a noob for thinking it), I was not knowledgable enough until you pointed it out to realise that the Athlon 64 has the memory chip on itself being used instead of the northbridge.

Anyway, I'll give that a shot and let you know the outcome.
 
id bet you hae a duffed imc as well. what cpu is it anyway? the older 130nm 64's had a very delicate imc anyway (cb stepping, or cg i forget which).

you might get some life by using very loose timings, eg 3-4-4-10 2t and low freq (eg 100/133mhz)
 
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