computer restarts itself when second stick of RAM is in?

GratefullySaved

Senior member
Jan 8, 2003
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Please help. :)

I'm trying to finish off building my new computer (A64 2800+, PNY 6600GT, 512MB RAM (for now..trying to go to 1GB), 120GB HD, DVD burner, all on a Chaintech VNF3-250 mobo), and the new rig is restarting itself. I tracked it down to at least one cause being the second stick of RAM I have, as the computer seems to run fine with one of 512MB RAM in it, even though the two sticks are both Crucial PC2700 512MB sticks bought new about two years ago.

The two sticks of RAM have been working fine in my OLD computer...an Athlon XP 2100+, Ti4200, all on a Matsonic mobo...so I don't know why the RAM is a problem now...?

I've tried moving the RAM around to using either slots 1 and 2 or 1 and 3, as the Chaintech manual tells me to, but both configurations make the system unstable...is this a bad mobo or is it bad RAM? If it's bad RAM...how come it wasn't a problem in old motherboard?

The computer restarts within a minute of launching Rainbow Six: Iron Wrath or Battlefield 2 demo when both sticks are in.....but is will take much longer to restart if I don't launch a video game......what does this suggest?...sigh :)

I've tried the drivers from nVidia's site, the drivers in the BF2 demo, and the drivers on the PNY 6600GT CD that came with the card.....the computer restarts when I launch the games with TWO sticks in em no matter what I do....

All help is appreciated, as I am baffled and about to be beligerant. lol (kidding)

Thanks again,

GS
 

GratefullySaved

Senior member
Jan 8, 2003
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No...i have no experience with using it....I've heard of it but don't know it's reliability or anything like that...

What's the story on memtest? Do I just stick the RAM in, download memtest from somewhere and just hit "run"? :)

This other stick of 512MB runs fine in another computer by the way, so I'm really wondering what is going on....

Thanks for any more help you can give me,

GS
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
58,539
8,813
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I'd run memtest with each stick individually, then together. You could have 1 bad stick that's screwing up the system. If both sticks test fine apart, I'd say it's a bad motherboard.


Edit: also some memory won't run in certain motherboards, so just because it ran fine in your old one it's not a given that it'll work in the new. Check the Chaintech and Crucial websites for a compatability chart on memory. You should be able to find one there.
 

TwYsTeD

Senior member
Nov 11, 2003
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Originally posted by: GratefullySaved
No...i have no experience with using it....I've heard of it but don't know it's reliability or anything like that...

What's the story on memtest? Do I just stick the RAM in, download memtest from somewhere and just hit "run"? :)

This other stick of 512MB runs fine in another computer by the way, so I'm really wondering what is going on....

Thanks for any more help you can give me,

GS

Memtest

Basically, make a floppy and run from disk after restart :)

 

GratefullySaved

Senior member
Jan 8, 2003
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Just ran memtest with 1 stick in....completely fine.

Just ran memtest with 2 sticks....120 errors at 4% completion (when sticks in slots 1 and 3)

Just ran memtest with 2 stick...47 errors at 30% completion (when sticks in slots 1 and 2)

Thanks you guys!...but...why the big difference in errors when the sticks are in different slots?

Thanks again!, looks like I'm off to go buy a new stick of RAM and start enjoying my new computer...it's been a rocky road building this system so far lol. It's my tenth build and this one has posed more problems for some reason than any other. Mostly wacky things though, and some software conflicts.

My smile to your help,

GS
 

TwYsTeD

Senior member
Nov 11, 2003
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Originally posted by: volrath
Nobody noticed he is probably running ddr333 at ddr400 speeds?

Then both sticks would produce errors, since they are exactly the same.
 

Lonyo

Lifer
Aug 10, 2002
21,938
6
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When you ran with 1 stick, did you run each stick individually, or just one of the 2 sticks, then put the other one in?
It could be two bad mobo slots (though slightly unlikely unless the channel controller is bust).
 

GratefullySaved

Senior member
Jan 8, 2003
206
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Well I'm back because the problems are back....

I just got back from BestBuy and bought a Kingston 512MB PC2700 stick for $30 after rebate. Thought I was all set. (got the last one too :), so I thought for SURE this was a good sign lol)

Anyway..I put the Kingston in with my Crucial, and I get error city, AND memtest hangs even if I use "end task".

So I put the Kingston in the other slot, keeping the Crucial in slot 1. same result...memtest hangs, and can't "end task" to force it either...have to power down by holding power button for three seconds.

So I put the Kingston in slot 1 and take the Crucial completely out....memtest passes.

With the Crucial in slot 1.....memtest passes.

WHAT is going on? Does this mean for sure now that my mobo has bad ram slots?

Please help, or my next upgrade is going to be from Home Depot's sledgehammer department. ;)

Oh...what's this mean...the Kingston DDR stick says "not dual channel compatible"...does this have any meaning for me? My system isn't dual channel I don't think...

Thanks iin advance,

GS
 

GratefullySaved

Senior member
Jan 8, 2003
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P.S. - I'm not running at DDR400 speeds...during startup the screen reads "333 Mhz", so I think I'm good. I also set the RAM in the BIOS to max at 166MHz after I bought the new Kingston stick and it failed.

GS
 

xgsound

Golden Member
Jan 22, 2002
1,374
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Besides speed of your memory, you can adjust timings on most MOBOs.

Put in your original 2 sticks and enter bios. Loosen the timings until memtest runs successfully. Fine tune by tightening the timings until memtest fails

Is this a socket 939 board? If so, two sticks means Dual Channel ram access.

Some mobos allow you to run the mem slower (async) on A64 boards with minimal (but some) effect on speed.

Edit ... This bios ver 5.0 dated 2005/3/21 changes default mem timing to 2T , so try changing the 1t to 2t. That may do it. http://www.chaintech.com.tw/tw/eng/Download/dl_LI.asp?DISNo=726


Jim