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a7n8x going from 512Mb => 1G mem. OS freeze problems, HELP!!!

O

Oalex

Senior member
YES, yet another a7n8x tread. And yes I did a search resulted over 30 treads (can we say a7n8x has issues🙂
Any way I could not find any one that has my exact problem.

So....As the title states, I tried going from 512Mb to 1Gb (just for the fun of it aka BF1942, no hard drive memory swap. etc.)

I had 2 x 256Mb Hynix 400MHz DDR originaly in dual mode (in the first and last slot of my a7n8x delux) working perfectly with an AMD 2100 xp T-bred (200MHz x 11 @ 2200MHz). No problem up to this point.
As my reserch showed in other to maximize output (i.e. for the dual ddr marketing crap to work) if I'm going to increase the mem, I need to add 1 512 Mb ram in the last (seperate) slot and have the 2 256Mb in the first two.
Well I went and bought one 512Mb 400MHz Hynix (same brandjust to be sure, as I've seen refrences to multiple brands not alway compatible).
Intalled and BSOD or just re-boot in the OS. I tried out all order (slot 1-2-3), but as long as the 512Mb was installed, the system freezes usualy in-game or 3dmark, sometimes even right after the load screen of win xp is finished.

Ok, so I tought its possible that the mem was bad (ran mem86 test, but found no error). To be on the safe side I went back to the retail store and asked them to replace it, they were nice enough to do so. Ran home and tried......same shít.

So help me, should I just give it up and try to sell the new mem, with minimal loss (VAT off). Or, do you have any suggetions. Before we rush into them, let me list my system specs and what I've already tried:


1. tried all kinds of arangment/placement with the memory(slot 1-2-3), but as long as the 512 was inthere it would freeze (even if alone).

2. fresh install of every thing (win xp and all latest drivers).

3. latest bios installed/flashed (Twice!)

4. tried w/o oc-ing the system (every thing at stock speed)

5. tried a higher Dram Voltages (2.7vmax) (maybe I should try 2.8v if its safe???)

6. tried different mem timings (stock setting was 3-3-3-8)

Edit: 7. Video bios, system bois Cashable: enebled/disabled (ie I tried both ways)

(so what have I not tought of?)

Rig:

AMD 2100 XP
Ram (see above)
Mobo (see above)
Video Radeon 9700pro
OS: Winx XP Pro (integrated SP 2 r.c.2 beta)

for more detail on specs (but I don't think thats necesary) see main rig below)

Thanks in advance for all the input guys🙂
 
Check the nforcersHQ.com forums. I would also suggest trying another brand of memory that is 512 to see if it works.
 
Did you disable the Virtual Memory or is it still enabled? I wouldn't disable it even with 1gig of ram. It is weird that it passes memtest but freezes running stock.
 
no, I have not yet disabled the virtual memory, so that can't be the problem.

It is weird that it passes memtest but freezes running stock.
Click to expand...

tell me about it. I'm sure it has to do with the friging ASUS mobo, I have checked at nforcersHQ.com that nippyjun indicated, I did not find of me exact problem there, but only relative to it. I found this tough

linky

In summary it stats that "...because of a limitation of in the nForce2 chipset not recognizing HyperX in dual channel configuration ... we can only recommend ValueRAM for this [A7N8X Deluxe] board ... this is a mainboard not a memory problem" that is refering to Kingstone.

I know I don't have kingston, but it might as well be the same problem, only difference is that mine doesn't work no mater what fsb I run it at.

Maybe I'll try DRAM voltage at 2.8v, the max I went so fas was 2.7v (stock 2.6v) Edit: I'm not sure about Dram Voltage setting, I hope 2.8v won't cause any harm, will it?

Anyway I am really dissapointed with the modo, asus is supposed to be == stability

I don't even care if I have dual or not just for the 1 gb to work 🙁(((
 
Originally posted by: Oalex

1. tried all kinds of arangment/placement with the memory(slot 1-2-3), but as long as the 512 was inthere it would freeze (even if alone).
Click to expand...

Sounds like a problme with the RAM. I run 2x512 Kingston HyperX moduls on my A7N8X DLX and it works like a charm.

 
Originally posted by: Spearhawk
Originally posted by: Oalex

1. tried all kinds of arangment/placement with the memory(slot 1-2-3), but as long as the 512 was inthere it would freeze (even if alone).
Click to expand...

Sounds like a problme with the RAM. I run 2x512 Kingston HyperX moduls on my A7N8X DLX and it works like a charm.
Click to expand...

as I indincated, I tried replacing the ram with another new one, but still got no results.

Also check out the link I posted about the HyperX moduls (that was a reply posted by Kingston personel) you are just probably lucky.
 
try increasing the AGP aperture size to 128MB. this solved my booting problems with my asus board and radeon.
 
As my reserch showed in other to maximize output (i.e. for the dual ddr marketing crap to work) if I'm going to increase the mem, I need to add 1 512 Mb ram in the last (seperate) slot and have the 2 256Mb in the first two.
Click to expand...
Slot 3 is part of the dual channel setup. Try putting the 256's in slot 2 and 3 and the 512 in slot 1.
By having the 512 in slot 3, it is trying to pair it up with one of the 256's for the dual channel operation.
1. tried all kinds of arangment/placement with the memory(slot 1-2-3), but as long as the 512 was inthere it would freeze (even if alone).
Click to expand...
nevermind... if it doesn't work with the 512 alone, than it's not a compatable memory module.

 
I guess its going to be a sell then.....or maybe I should just keep it till I get my next rig (mobo+CPU) I don't think that DDR 533 (or what ever the next best thing will be called) is right around the corner yet.
 
asus loves to have memory problems. I have an a7v133 and if I try to put more than two sticks of ram into it for more than 512 it locks up on me. Time to find a new mobo manufacturer.
 
I think you guys are being a little hard on ASUS... it's not so much the Mobo as it is the Memory Modules themselves. ASUS boards are extremely high quality. You can't just plop in some generic ram and expect miracles. Best thing is to have "ALL matching brand/model modules".

The old days of just cramming in whatever modules you have and it work are numbered. They design these boards to be this picky for a reason. Stability.

Would you rather your system not work, or corrupt your data? Think about that.
 
I've noticed the same thing happening on my system, except mine is an Athlon 1800+ on a cheapo ECS mobo with SDRAM. It's weird because it started happening after I upgraded the video card from a geforce2 to a geforce4. At first, I thought it was the video card, but after working with it a bit, I noticed that my system would only be stable if I used only 1 stick of ram (256MB) in the first slot. If I had both sticks of ram in, it would lock up when running 3dmark or any other game. Now, I also noticed that it would run stable with both sticks of ram if I underclocked the CPU. So here was my dilema. I could either have 512MB of RAM with a Geforce2 at full CPU clock speed, 512MB of RAM with a Geforce4 with an Underclocked CPU, or I can have 256MB of RAM with Geforce4 at full CPU clock speed. Well, I decided to go with the 3rd option until I decide to get a single stick of 512MB DDR or SDRAM (my mobo takes both). Not trying to start a flame war here, but I think I'm done with AMD for now. My last 2 systems have been AMD systems and they have both been a headache. I built a P4 system for my brother last year and that thing hasn't given any of the problems I've been having.
 
Not trying to start a flame war here, but I think I'm done with AMD for now. My last 2 systems have been AMD systems and they have both been a headache. I built a P4 system for my brother last year and that thing hasn't given any of the problems I've been having.
Click to expand...

I am starting to get that feeling too, I've been an AMD fan up till now (price/performance), but just as you said, this is my secont AMD rig too. I used to have an xp 2200+ with ASUS+VIA chipset mobo. Only reason that I have been going ASUS due to the fact that it made a name for it self in stability (at least thats what I read the in the reviews).
I personnaly have not experienced thit: they have both given me headach.
The firstone kept freezing in the bios (randomly) or BSOD in the OS. I tried every thing with no result. I got fedup after 3 month and sold it. The new ovner replaced the modo at the retailer (it took them over 1 month) because he got fedup too. After he finaly got the new one, just into a week, his CPU started having problems. I fealt like shít having taken his money way back when🙂
Now my second mobo, supposed to be the best out there for AMD and I'm not satisfied. Maybe that extra cash is wort the pain free solution from Intel. I remember my first rig was a celeron 600, never had a problem without an explanation/solution.

Just my toughts. Anyone with doubts about the ASUS nforce2 mobo should do a search in anandtech or go to here to see all the ppl complain, that is not normal.

Sorry guys, just my frustration talking, I hate when I can't have it all.......
 
Originally posted by: Oalex
no, I have not yet disabled the virtual memory, so that can't be the problem.

It is weird that it passes memtest but freezes running stock.
Click to expand...

tell me about it. I'm sure it has to do with the friging ASUS mobo, I have checked at nforcersHQ.com that nippyjun indicated, I did not find of me exact problem there, but only relative to it. I found this tough

linky

In summary it stats that "...because of a limitation of in the nForce2 chipset not recognizing HyperX in dual channel configuration ... we can only recommend ValueRAM for this [A7N8X Deluxe] board ... this is a mainboard not a memory problem" that is refering to Kingstone.

I know I don't have kingston, but it might as well be the same problem, only difference is that mine doesn't work no mater what fsb I run it at.

Maybe I'll try DRAM voltage at 2.8v, the max I went so fas was 2.7v (stock 2.6v) Edit: I'm not sure about Dram Voltage setting, I hope 2.8v won't cause any harm, will it?

Anyway I am really dissapointed with the modo, asus is supposed to be == stability

I don't even care if I have dual or not just for the 1 gb to work 🙁(((
Click to expand...


It is quite possible with 3 sticks in place you need a bit more voltage... 2.8 is the highest SAFE voltage you can go.

Try that and see what happens.

😀

 
Thorin

Run MemTest86 on your system. If it errors then run it on each stick of RAM seperately. Then come back and tell us what you find.
Click to expand...

I see you haven't read my post or maybew you missed it (so why should I come back to tell you what I find if you haven't paid attention to my original post/problem). I have run memtest86 (as I indicated in my first post), but it did not find any errors. (althog I only ran one pass: ie: ~20mins). I also tried them 1 by 1.🙂 (see original post)

What kind of power supply?
Click to expand...

400W, but I have to cheak the brand cause I forgot🙁
 
so why should I come back to tell you what I find if you haven't paid attention to my original post/problem
Click to expand...
You think it's some kind of loss to me if you don't get your problem solved?

Ok, so I tought its possible that the mem was bad (ran mem86 test, but found no error). To be on the safe side I went back to the retail store and asked them to replace it, they were nice enough to do so. Ran home and tried......same shít.
Click to expand...
And you tested those of course? And in your original post you didn't say anything about testing them 1 by 1.

Thorin
 
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