Cry for help!!!! (AsusP4C800 Deluxe)

[mikezy44]

I don't know what to do about it... machine goes down every 5-10 min with BSOD. I get allways different error message: from Paging Error messages to PCI drivers being corrupted. I've tried XP, W2K, RH 9. Its crashing no matter what OS I install... which makes me think that perhaps there is something wrong with the hardware. But what? I've took everything out and replaced with different parts. Its still no go! ANY suggestions greatly appreciated!!

P4C800 Deluxe
Pentium 4 3GHz
4x256M Kingston HyperX DDR 3200 (model KHX3200/256)
nVidia GeForce 4600

 

[mechBgon]

Try relaxing your memory timings. Are you familiar with what I'm referring to if I suggest trying them at 2.5-3-3-6?

Also, what power supply brand & model are you using?

Welcome to the Forums

 

[mikezy44]

I'm not sure how and where to relax those timing. Any suggestions?

I've found out last night that Asus has a list of recommended memory modules for this motherboard. The memory I have is NOT listed! :-( However Kingston tech support assured me that these modules are top notch. I've also read good review about it.

PS: Enlight, Model: TOP:320P4 (320W)

 

[mechBgon]

Thanks for the additional info there. Bear with me, since I don't actually have a P4C800 Deluxe... I downloaded a copy of the manual and that's what I'm referring to with the following instructions. If the page numbers don't match up with your printed copy of the manual, then I apologize in advance :Q

• When the system powers on, begin tapping the Delete key on the keyboard in order to get into the motherboard's BIOS. The BIOS screen should come up with menus that you can navigate using your arrow keys and the Enter key.
• Go into the Advanced menu, and then into the JumperFree Configuration sub-menu there. This is shown in the manual in section 4.4, page 4-14.
• Set AI Overclock Tuner to Manual by selecting it, hitting Enter, using the arrow keys to select Manual, then Enter again. Now there's an additional list of items you can configure manually
• On that list, set DRAM Frequency to 400, since your memory is DDR400 aka PC3200
• Set the DDR Reference Voltage to 2.75. This is a little more than stock, and may help stabilize things.
• Now press Esc key to get back out of the Jumperfree Configuration sub-menu, so you have the Advanced menu again (shown on page 4-14).
• Go into the Chipset sub-menu. In the Chipset sub-menu, which is shown on page 4-18 of the manual, you can adjust your memory timings.
• See the following timings: DRAM CAS Latency, DRAM RAS Precharge, DRAM RAS-to-CAS Delay, and DRAM Precharge Delay (page 4-19 of the manual). Set those to 2.5, 3, 3, and 8. While you're in there, set the AGP Aperture to 128.
• One other thing you might want to do: go into the Power > Hardware Monitor menu and disable Q-Fan for now. The manual shows that on page 4-30.

Your power supply is a name-brand one, so that's a good thing. If it were me, I'd be going for more like a name-brand 400W unit or so, but I'd take your Enlight 320W over a cheesy el-cheapo 500W generic one any day. Your 4-pin auxiliary power cable is plugged into the mobo, right?

Hang in there and try this stuff to see what happens. If that doesn't fix it, post again and there are some diagnostic programs you can try, such as Memtest86, to see what gives.

 

[mikezy44]

MechBgon,

Thank you so much for taking time to help me out and thank you for all the encouragement. I really need it as I've spend 2 weeks fighting this mobo problem. I appreciate it!

Yes, my PS 4-pin auxiliary power cable is connected.

I did exactly as you said. Relaxed the timings on the memory, followed word-by-word what you said. Right now I'm installing RH 9 and it seems to be working just fine!!! SUCCESS. I think. I'll try to do a little burn-in and see how it goes. It usually takes 10-15 min before I get a 'Fatal Error 11' but so far things look promising and I couldn't hold myself but to write you a big THANK YOU! I'll report later how the burn-in test goes and if I get BSOD.

I have one more thingy to ask: These timings... are they gonna influence performance in any way? Is it better to get memory that is recommended by Asus?

THANK YOU again for help.

 

[mechBgon]

Sweet! I'll keep my fingers crossed, let us know how it goes over the long run

You do lose a teensy bit of performance when you relax the memory timings, because the memory modules can't reply back to a data request quite as quickly. It's on the order of 2%-3% in most situations, I think. A small price to pay for having your system run crash-free. Good luck!

 

[mikezy44]

Things are working okay so far. Mobo is stable and usable. NorthBridge heatsink doesn't get hot as it did before... so I guess everything worked out.

I'm just a little concerned about the performance issue. I guess my concern is performance (is 3-5% decrease in overall or just memory terms) and also long term effect of these timings on the motherboard. Any suggestions?

Thanks again for help!

Mike