HELP - Corsair XMS PC3200LLPT 512Mb stick only shows 256Mb ??

[jhites]

I just installed a new stick of Corsair 512Mb XMS-PC3200LLPT into my system. Does anyone know if there is any compatability issues with Corsair and the BD7II-Raid Motherboard.

Problem is:
The stick only shows as being 256Mb single sided in both the BIOS and every program that I have. (CPUz, Sandra 2001se, Sandra 2003, Memtest86, etc.)

Looking a Sandra motherboard information it shows only one bank instead of both banks.
1.) Tested slot 1 on mobo and shows Bank0
2.) Tested slot 2 on mobo and shows Bank2

Could it be that a memory controller chip or something on the motherboard is not reading the second bank, since both Bank1 & 3 are not showing up?

I did test the chip in another board ECS K7S5A and it shows correctly as 512Mb stick.

 

[KidChaos]

Try clearing the CMOS memory.

 

[mechBgon]

You might want to try setting the memory clock to 133MHz (DDR266).

 

[jhites]

I have tried every fsb setting and used both 3:4 and 1:1 ratio and get the same results. :|

Will try clearing the CMOS and update the BIOS version back and forth a couple of times.
Did not try that yet.

Thanks

 

[jhites]

Updated to the latest BIOS version and cleared the CMOS.

No change. Looks like an RMA would be the next step unless anyone else has any ideas? ? ?

 

[THUGSROOK]

there have been a lot of complaints about "new" XMS memory.

its not nearly as good as it used to be

 

[chizow]

It might be the mobo dimm socket. I would test each independently with a stick of RAM that has dual banks. Try a different dimm slot on the mobo. Then try a stick of dual bank memory and see if the full amount of RAM is recognized. Then try the XMS on a mobo where dual bank memory is being used. I think I've read that certain mobos have had trouble recognizing newer dimms with 2 banks. Maybe a BIOS update could fix this or is it the latest?

Chiz

 

[jhites]

Thugs
The stick tests no errors memtest86 up to 155fsb 3:4, but only on half the stick of course.

Chizow
The mobo has three dimm sockets and I did try all three with the same result. Dimm slot 2 and 3 are shared, however.
Slot 2 (bank 2/3) Slot 3 (bank3/2)
I did install the latest BIOS and cleared the CMOS a couple of times. No change.

Dang ECS K7S5A cheapo that I tried it in recognizes it as 512Mb stick.

EDIT: I checked the Corsair/Abit Cross Reference Guide for the BD7II and it recommends:
XMS3200 Cas CL 2 (400MHz) ; CMX512-3200C2
Only difference as far as I know, would be mine is LL at CL2-6-2-2 vs. CL2-7-3-3

 

[chizow]

This sounds like something you should e-mail your mobo makers or Corsair's tech support about, or search the forums for a site that is dedicated to mobos. The issue of certain boards not detecting a 2nd bank on a dimm sounds very familiar; hopefully something like BIOS flash will fix it, otherwise you may need to RMA for a different revision of the board. Could very well be a bad batch of Corsair too, I think there were issues with some XMS and Nforce2.

Chiz

 

[Ketchup]

Sorry to hear about your problems as I have the same board and love it. If you do end up returning the memory, I recommend OCZ EL DDR 433. It is running great for me at 433 MHZ CL2 1T.

 

[AlienX]

hmm...I really want to know how it ends up since I have ordered a stick of 512MB Corsair XMS 3200 C2(not LL, too expensive!!) and intended to order ECS L4S8A2(w/sis 648 chipset).

 

[SupermanCK]

maybe a BIOS update?
guess not...what about a mem update...LOL ... jk

 

[AnImuS]

In the bios disable the "quick post" option. i had the same trouble after i had switched ram. disabling this option will test the size of the ram which hopefully will see all 512mb.

 

[jhites]

Originally posted by: AnImuS
In the bios disable the "quick post" option. i had the same trouble after i had switched ram. disabling this option will test the size of the ram which hopefully will see all 512mb.

RMA'ed the motherboard back to Abit and already received the replacement. Everything is working perfectly now.

 

[THUGSROOK]

kewl

 

[Mangler]

ABIT's good about that...

 

[jpetermann]

I love ABIT!

PJ

 

[AlienX]

How about Abit's SR7-8X?
The reviews are not pretty good....
Does anyone try it with a stick of 512 Corsair XMS 3200?