K7S5A problems with Ram! Please help!

[dandruff]

was using two 128MB SDRAM with K7S5A v3 at 133/133

changed to PNY 256mb DDR 333 (2700) with Specktek chip -6a from staples ... this is what happens:


swap from 2x128sdram to PNY 256 - its works well on the first reboot (133/133)

shut down and restart ... it just makes swishing noises ... no beeps ... nothing to monitor ....

switch back to SDRAMs everything works fine ...

swap again .. it works fine only for the first boot ... what am i doing wrong? bad mobo or bad ram?
allied 350w PS ...amd xp1800+

heres my setting is bios:

DRAM timing config: NORMAL
Cas latency: SPD
Ras active Time: 6T
Ras precharge Time: 4T

are these need to be changed? are these the best setting for sdram too?

tahnks in advance!

 

[Peter]

PNY? Spectek? Oh no. When the thing happens to boot once, use the RAM test from www.memtest.org to see for yourself whether that RAM actually works.

I'd return it and get some real DIMM, where at least the chips are from a recognized actual maker of RAM chips. Micron, Infineon, Samsung, Nanya, Mosel Vitelic, that's about it.

 

[Buz2b]

First question would be why are you trying to install DDR 333 on a system that doesn't use it? Some of those boards have troubles with DDR but I have a feeling yours is related more to the modules you are using. Either that or your PS isn't up to it. Do you have access to any PC2100 DDR to test the system with. If it boots with that, you'll know the culprit. If not it could be either the board or PS.

 

[Peter]

DDR333 or even 400 doesn't matter. The system provides the clock, the DIMM just has to be fast enough to cope. Some headroom doesn't hurt.

I've seen more than enough el-cheapo brand DIMMs that were plain unusuable straight out of the box. Buy, test, return, get the real brand stuff for $5 more, sorted. Everytime, until I started skipping steps 1-3.