ECC vs. Non ECC Memory on a MSI K7T Pro 2-A

[NCGoldwinger]

I didn't see a specification on MSI's web site about whether to use
ECC or non-ECC rated memory on the Pro 2A or if it even makes a
difference.

Reason I was asking is that I built 3 systems last month based on the
Pro 2A. One 1.1 and two 1.0 Ghz TBird's and I used CAS 2 PC-133 ECC
memory modules. I got my memory from Allstarshop.com, where I
purchased my memory previously for my other Intel based systems I have
built in the past.

I am having many problems with getting a stable system running and was
curious whether using ECC memory would have any bearing on the
stability of the system?

I have been a die hard fan of Intel for over 12 years and have always
used their boards and processors and I can say that they have been
rock solid with any accessory or board that I could throw at it.

When it came time to build these new systems I decided to give AMD a
try since from all of the reading and reviews they seem to have worked
out their problems from when they started a few years back and seemed
to be a competive alternative.

Needless to say, between the 3 systems, I have had a barrage of
startup lockups, lockups during a simple BIN check with Fireburner,
screen going black with small green lines at the top of the screeen
for no reason and many BSOD.

I have Win98SE on two systems, Win2K the other..
I have different video cards, network cards, sound cards, etc. in each
one..
I have tried so many BIOS settings that I don't believe there are any
more left to try...

My faith in this "faster but cheaper" technology is now back off my
list again.. I should have stuck with my tried and true Intel line and
I wouldn't be having these problems...

What amazes me is that all of the review sites for the Pro 2A rated
this as the most stable board they had ever used not to mention I see
a lot of satisfied users who claim their system is rock solid.
I would really like to know what they are doing that I am not.......

Sorry to ramble on but I have a hard time accepting these unstable AMD
systems when I have been used to an Intel system running for weeks at
a time with no lockups or crashes.

Regards,
Rick Cathey

 

[Mem]

Just to let you know that I use unbuffered ram(Crucial CAS2 PC133) in my MSI K7T Pro board,which is rock solid,if you can gives us more info & details of your problem ,maybe we can help.Btw I had lockups,BSOD,after 6 weeks of use & in my case turned out to be a faulty CPU,once that was changed 100% rock stability the best I`ve had,so it can be anything,so post your specs PSU etc,ram type & exact problem.

Btw mine has been running 3 months now with no BSOD,or Lockups even with Win98 & playing lots of online & offline games,so there is hope for you yet.

 

[Davegod75]

ecc memory is not needed. It tends only to be used in data critical servers or boxes computing important mathmatical calculations that can't be wrong. memory has gotten to the point where errors are very very rare

 

[SACANDAGA]

Most good quality memory should work fine in this board. My friend
has this board and has used ECC memory and non ECC and both worked
fine. Most of the problems with this board are associated with the
VIA chipset and not the board itself. If you have not done so yet,
download VIA'S latest 4in1 Drivers and install them. The drivers
that came with the board seem to have been causing many problems
such as lockups reboots etc.

Hope this helps.