Intel d975xbx2 bluescreen on windows install

[ecoder]

Hi all,

Just built a new system: Intel D975XBX2/C2D E6400/2x1GB Geil 800MHz/ATI All-in-Wonder X1800. No luck installing Windows. I was able to format the HD (Maxtor IDE 200GB), but on Windows install, I get a bluescreen with varying messages as soon as the process of copying the files to the disk is initiated. Have flashed BIOS to most recent (2395), and have tried with another (SATA) HD -- same thing. Suspected memory problems -- ran memtest86 from CD, this reboots consistently about 1/2 second into the blue screen of the test.

So, I guess there is a strong suspicion of memory problems. I tried booting with just one DIMM in place -- no POST. I think perhaps this MB requires two DIMMs? This was also the case for a previous unit of the same MB that I had to RMA because it would not make it to CD boot. Not sure about this one, any advice would be appreciated. I don't have another set of two DDR2 DIMMs to try

If anybody else has had the same problem, or if you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks in advance!

 

[moosey]

Don't know exactly but it does sound like it could be RAM related especially if it's failing memtest. I know when I've had bad RAM in the past Windows would not finish an install.

 

[ecoder]

Originally posted by: moosey
Don't know exactly but it does sound like it could be RAM related especially if it's failing memtest. I know when I've had bad RAM in the past Windows would not finish an install.

Thanks. So, a reboot during memtest means the test is failing?

PS: I have also checked CPU temps, -- around 51 degrees C, which is within spec. I have not done any overclocking.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

That's the same symptom per RAM that I've experienced in earlier-generation mobos. Had to RMA the memory to the factory.

This is just a guess, but you might try running the memory below spec and see if it works that way, then call the manufacturer and get an RMA # for it.

 

[ecoder]

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
That's the same symptom per RAM that I've experienced in earlier-generation mobos. Had to RMA the memory to the factory.

This is just a guess, but you might try running the memory below spec and see if it works that way, then call the manufacturer and get an RMA # for it.

Thanks, I'll give that a shot. BTW, do you think that the MB should be able to run with just one DIMM?

 

[DaddyRabbit]

My recommendation would be to run with one stick and if it still fails yank it and try the other. Yes it will run fine with one stick.

I had some "horror" times with Geil before but that just may have been my experience.

If it's rebooting immediately after MEMTEST starts instead of giving errors it highly points to RAM IMO...

 

[ecoder]

Originally posted by: DaddyRabbit
My recommendation would be to run with one stick and if it still fails yank it and try the other. Yes it will run fine with one stick.

I had some "horror" times with Geil before but that just may have been my experience.

If it's rebooting immediately after MEMTEST starts instead of giving errors it highly points to RAM IMO...

Thanks for the tips. I messed around with the memory a bit more, and the machine does not POST with one of the DIMMs. However, with the other it POSTs fine, and runs memtest with errors and an eventual halt. Windows installer still bluescreens with just one DIMM. So I think it's really most likely a memory problem. I guess time to RMA again. It's just a bit unsettling that both DIMMs would be defective... is it possible that this RAM is just not compatible with this MB? Any other ideas, please send them my way.