Memory problems

Threshy

Threshy

Threshy

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10 Jan 2004
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I just bought some Crucial 2GB (2x1GB) PC3200 CAS3 184pin DDR Memory Dual Channel Kit.

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So, i install the new memory and at the same time i put in another hdd. I format my pc, and after about 4 hours after formatting my pc just starts restarting every now and again and i get bsod errors. So i google up the error codes to try find out what could be the problem, and a lot of the things i read lead me to test my memory.

I take out 1 stick and left 1 stick in. I ran P95 for about 15 hours without any errors. I then ran the latest version of memtest on the same stick for a good 6 hours, still no errors occured.

I take the stick out i just tested and insert the 2nd stick. I ran the same tests as i did on the first stick, no errors on that stick either.

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And while running with just one stick in, i do not get any unexpected restarts or bsod errors and my pc runs fine.

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Now when i put both ram sticks in my machine together in dual band and run P95 i get an error virtually straight away, FATAL ERROR: Rounding was 0.5, expected less than 0.4. I ran memtest with both ram sticks in, but that didnt find any errors with both in. And now my pc is unexpectingly restarting and bsod errors again.

I read around but i am alittle bit confused/puzzled. As when testing the sticks on there own my pc is fine and they was error free but when they are in together this is when i have the pc problems or random restarts and bsod errors, and when i get the error in P95.

I am unsure what is maybe the cause if its the memory or not, but to me i only get pc probs and errors, and an error in P95 when the memory is inserted together so i guess it is memory related because when in on there own my pc works great, i dont think its the cpu as i would get errors on P95 with just one stick of ram in (wouldnt i?) and i dont get any errors then... maybe someone here has any idea or could help me in any way, i read some things about trying to increase voltage or something, but i am really unsure.

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Info which might help:
AMD3000+ 400fsb
Abit NF7 v2.0
2gig PC3200 400fsb
GF5900U 256mb
Audigy Soundcard
Wintv2000XP Expert
2xhdd - 320 & 400
2xdrives - dvdrom & dvd/cd writer
Tagen 480watt power supply

Never oc'd anything either, just all running at default bios or auto.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
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Is the system overclocked? If so, run at stock & make sure memory is running timings specified by manufacture. In BIOS you can set to AUTO. Try also running at 2T timing instead of 1T.

I'd also run Memtest (here) again.

Make sure your running latest BIOS firmware (check mobo website).
 
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did the NF2's support 2*1 gig @ddr 400?

try using the other slot combo, i forget exactly how but im sure you could run 1+3 or 2+3 an get dual chan or 1+2 and get single.

hopefully 1 of those combos would sort it out. if you end up running single chan, its no big problem on the SOA platform.
 
IIRC correctly you needed to have DIMM3 filled for 2gb on the NF7.

So try DIMM2 and 3.
 
hp7909 said:
Is the system overclocked? If so, run at stock & make sure memory is running timings specified by manufacture. In BIOS you can set to AUTO. Try also running at 2T timing instead of 1T.

I'd also run Memtest (here) again.

Make sure your running latest BIOS firmware (check mobo website).
Click to expand...

No it isnt overclocked. Everything is running at stock speeds by manufacturer. And thats the memtest which i ran on them both, no errors.
 
Amonlym said:
did the NF2's support 2*1 gig @ddr 400?

try using the other slot combo, i forget exactly how but im sure you could run 1+3 or 2+3 an get dual chan or 1+2 and get single.

hopefully 1 of those combos would sort it out. if you end up running single chan, its no big problem on the SOA platform.
Click to expand...

Cob said:
IIRC correctly you needed to have DIMM3 filled for 2gb on the NF7.

So try DIMM2 and 3.
Click to expand...

In the NF7 manual it says the board supports upto 2gig of pc3200/ddr400.

I have them in 2+3 when testing in dual band when im getting errors. I will try them in 1+3.
 
Cob said:
Are the timings set to Auto or have you manually set them?
Click to expand...

Auto (By SPD). Nothing is overclocked, its all stock.

Tried running them as PC2700 and they ran fine in dual band. Its something, that when i put them to run at 2x1gig PC3200 in dual band this error happens, could it be my motherboard?

Try also running at 2T timing instead of 1T
Click to expand...
Whats this?
 
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iirc the older AMD chips could only run 2GB at DDR 333, something to do with the AMD memory controller not supporting that much at full speed, try slots 1+2 as i had a similar problem with my old AMD 3000+ and NF4 board, filling slot 3 stopped it working
 
RaiderX said:
iirc the older AMD chips could only run 2GB at DDR 333, something to do with the AMD memory controller not supporting that much at full speed, try slots 1+2 as i had a similar problem with my old AMD 3000+ and NF4 board, filling slot 3 stopped it working
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That sounds more like a possible explanation to my problem. I will try running them in slots 1+2 shortly & thats the only thing i have not tried actually.

So, if they are in slots 1+2 they will function properly at 2x1gb ddr400?, but they just wont be in dual band mode? will i lose much performance without them been in dual band or not.
 
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Am using slots 1+2 at the moment running them at PC3200/ddr400.. so far no problems, no errors in P95 and no bsod errors. Looks like that fixed my problem RaiderX.. Thanks a lot. The only thing is they are not running in dual channel mode, will that make much performance difference or anything anyone?
 
maybe MAYBE as much as 5% diff in real world tasks. super-membench57 might show more but its irrelevant.

the SOA platform has only as much bandwidth from chipset to cpu as SINGLE CHAN DDR (fsb speed) thats why the KT400 was the same performance or worse than the KT333, it could run the ram at 400mhz but the fsb was still 333. and no more data could be sent to the cpu.

glad its working for you!
 
Amonlym said:
maybe MAYBE as much as 5% diff in real world tasks. super-membench57 might show more but its irrelevant.

the SOA platform has only as much bandwidth from chipset to cpu as SINGLE CHAN DDR (fsb speed) thats why the KT400 was the same performance or worse than the KT333, it could run the ram at 400mhz but the fsb was still 333. and no more data could be sent to the cpu.

glad its working for you!
Click to expand...
Ah ok, thanks a lot for reply. And thanks a lot to anyone who tried helping me out, much appreciated.
 
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