EliteGroup K7VZA and 2 sticks of memory

[SWScorch]

I just recieved a computer today to work on. It is a homebuilt (thank god) with an EliteGroup K7VZA mobo using the VAI Kt133A chipset. When using one stick of 256MB ram, everything is fine. When using two identical sticks of 256MB, it wont boot. It will boot fine with either stick, so neither is bad. I have not yet had a chance to work on it, but this is just a preliminary question to see if this is a known issue or not. thanx

 

[SWScorch]

pre-bedtime bump

 

[Peter]

No known issue with that. Update the BIOS, and don't assume your RAM sticks are OK
just because they work when alone. One of them might misbehave electrically, making
a 2nd one impossible. I've seen that happen. More than once.

Give each stick a thorough memtest86 grilling, then maybe you'll uncover the culprit. www.memtest86.com

regards, Peter

 

[SWScorch]

Oh Man! I'm running Memtest86 on the second stick right now.... Both have over 200,000 errors! This cannot be good at all! Does this program find errors on otherwise good memory; eg- if it finds errors, it doesnt necessarily mean the stick is bad, it is still possible to use the stick and not experience any problems?

 

[Peter]

If these errors are randomly spread out, then its more of an electrical issue than a bad DIMM.
Did you leave the RAM timing settings at "automatic" defaults, or did you screw around with
manual settings? Confess! *raises pointy cushion in a threatening manner*
When memtest86 says there is a problem, then there is. Ain't no discussing that.

regards, Peter

 

[kmike75]

The only ram I found that works with this board is Crucial pc133 sdram. I put 512 in mine and it works just fine.

 

[SWScorch]

hmm ok. The memory he is using now is Kingston ValueRAM. I shall tell him to try some Crucial and get his money back for the Kingston.