My problem still exists..

[x3ro]

Let's recap:

Had a system - Athlon XP 3000+ on an Abit NF7S-rev.2 w/ 2x512mb corsair XMS..... worked 100% flawlessly, zero errors..

Upgraded to an Epox 9NDA3+ w/ an Athlon 64 3000+ Venice.

Once I upgrade and installed a fresh copy of XP Pro, I started getting funky ass bluescreens. Just random times..

So I ran memtest... Dimm 1 & 2 dual channel (per the manual), and I got memory errors.. Okie dokie... Maybe it's one of the ram sticks. So I pull a stick, and run memtest again overnight, zero errors.... Maybe it's the other stick I says... So i swap them out... again, zero errors

Hm, maybe its the DIMM slots. I put them dual channel in dimm3 & 4 (again, per the mobo manual)... Same thing, get plenty o' errors.

Unfortunately I dont have another CPU or dual channel pair of ram to test

If you were to make a conclusion based on the evidence, what might you think the problem is? I've heard everythign from the ram, to the mobo, to the CPU's mem controller. Now, remember the ram was 100% flawless in my other setup!

 

[40Hands]

Sounds like your mobo to me.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

It's not the mobo or the PSU, it's a memory timing issue.

This is not at all uncommon. The fact that each individual stick works, but both don't, means that it's a dual channel memory timing issue. Dual channel mode is MUCH fussier about timing than single channel.

You're going to have to experiment with the RAM timing to get it stable in dual channel mode. You can email Corsair for recommendations on what timing to use with your mobo. You can also go here for settings that Corsair has tested XMS memory with on certain mobos. If you don't find your mobo, see if you can find a mobo that uses the same chipset and use those settings: http://www.houseofhelp.com/v2/showthread.php?t=38150

You can also search Corsair's forums for anyone who's posted recommended timing settings for your mobo with XMS memory: http://www.houseofhelp.com/v2/forumdisp...9d2852da929ed1d2abd4952150f00ec8&f=128

Also wouldn't hurt to do a Google search for "XMS memory timing Epox 9NDA3" or variations on those keywords.

I had similar problems with my Asus A7N8X-E mobo and Corsair XMS until I found the recommended timing settings on their forum.

Hope this helps...

 

[x3ro]

Originally posted by: FlyingPenguin
It's not the mobo or the PSU, it's a memory timing issue.

This is not at all uncommon. The fact that each individual stick works, but both don't, means that it's a dual channel memory timing issue. Dual channel mode is MUCH fussier about timing than single channel.

You're going to have to experiment with the RAM timing to get it stable in dual channel mode. You can email Corsair for recommendations on what timing to use with your mobo. You can also go here for settings that Corsair has tested XMS memory with on certain mobos. If you don't find your mobo, see if you can find a mobo that uses the same chipset and use those settings: http://www.houseofhelp.com/v2/showthread.php?t=38150

You can also search Corsair's forums for anyone who's posted recommended timing settings for your mobo with XMS memory: http://www.houseofhelp.com/v2/forumdisp...9d2852da929ed1d2abd4952150f00ec8&f=128

Also wouldn't hurt to do a Google search for "XMS memory timing Epox 9NDA3" or variations on those keywords.

I had similar problems with my Asus A7N8X-E mobo and Corsair XMS until I found the recommended timing settings on their forum.

Hope this helps...

Ram is running at 3-3-3-8 1T... anyting looser than that and what's the piont of running it??? sticks are rated at 2.5-3-3-6 on AMD systems....

Whats the point in dumbing down high performance memory?

 

[Fern]

Well seems the ram worked fine in DC mode as you had 'em in an NF7-S v2

What is the vdimm set at in the new mobo? (remember the NF7-S's used to overvolt vdimm slightly)

Just for the heck of it, might look for an updated online manual. Can't remember which mobo it was, but the included manual was incorrect about which dimm slots to use for DC

Have you confirmed it in DC mode in the slots you mentioned?

Meh, I'd also try putting the timings at 2.5-3-3-6 just for the heck of it. I assume you had 'em at least that tight in the NF7-S.

Fern

 

[x3ro]

Originally posted by: Fern
Well seems the ram worked fine in DC mode as you had 'em in an NF7-S v2

What is the vdimm set at in the new mobo? (remember the NF7-S's used to overvolt vdimm slightly)

Just for the heck of it, might look for an updated online manual. Can't remember which mobo it was, but the included manual was incorrect about which dimm slots to use for DC

Have you confirmed it in DC mode in the slots you mentioned?

Meh, I'd also try putting the timings at 2.5-3-3-6 just for the heck of it. I assume you had 'em at least that tight in the NF7-S.

Fern

Voltage on the Epox is auto.... 2.6v nominal... I bumped it up to 2.7v and did memtest with the same problem.

And yes, the ram in this board shows up dual channel per the bios. So they're in the correct DIMMs.

 

[Fern]

Have you adjusted any BIOS settings? Or are going with the default settings?

Two things come to mind: (1) Run CPUid o one of those proggies and paste results. Perhaps if something is set up incorrectly someone will spot it. (2) Clear the CMOS and see what happens.

Are you OC'd?

Fern

 

[x3ro]

I'm not OC'ed.

I just noticed, the only errors occur on test 8.. I ran a single pass, and the only errors were on test 8, on the first pass..

Thoughts? I would like to get this problem corrected!

 

[x3ro]

I ran the computer in 2T and there were no errors in one pass @ 2.5-3-3-7..

Put it in 1T @ 2.5-3-3-7 and got an error on the first past on test #8, but on the 2nd pass there were no errors... Now im really confused

 

[x3ro]

Bump

Buying some OCZ EL Plat. Rev2 to test and see if it helps..

 

[FlyingPenguin]

That mobo just may not like that memory. It happens. If you order ANY memory at all, use the manufacturer's online database to lookup the part that's an exact match for your mobo.

 

[x3ro]

Originally posted by: FlyingPenguin
That mobo just may not like that memory. It happens. If you order ANY memory at all, use the manufacturer's online database to lookup the part that's an exact match for your mobo.

According to Corsair's database deal, the memory is compatible with my motherboard.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

2T works then? Have you tried boosting the voltage to 2.7-2.8v? Tried both sticks in single channel to see if it is just a dual channel issue? I like a higher T(RAS) myself, 8-11 are what I'd test and take the best performing one. Hopefully your new ram will play nice in dual channel with the timings and 1T though

 

[x3ro]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
2T works then? Have you tried boosting the voltage to 2.7-2.8v? Tried both sticks in single channel to see if it is just a dual channel issue? I like a higher T(RAS) myself, 8-11 are what I'd test and take the best performing one. Hopefully your new ram will play nice in dual channel with the timings and 1T though

2T had no errors on the first pass. Each Corsair stick worked fine in when only one was inserted. I ran all tests at 2.8v, and that still didn't help the problem. So I think it's just the RAM being flakey.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

So I think it's just the RAM being flakey.

Sounds like it, but by single channel, I meant both sticks in together but in single channel setup, not 1 stick at a time. The cheapest route was just going 2T, but I can understand wanting more from that kind of ram.

 

[x3ro]

Even better...

Got my new ram in today. Same thing..

In the 1st set of dual channel dimms, i get a TON of errors, starting on test #5..

On the 2nd set of dual channel dimms, i get only one or two errors on test #8 in memtest..

WTF? Mobo?

 

[x3ro]

alright this is just freakin ridiculous..

I set the ram to 3-3-3-7 @ 2.7v (the OCZ EL Plat rev 2), and on test #8, it gets partially done, then up popped "unexpected interrupt - halt" and memtest locked... WTF mate?

 

[x3ro]

bump for some much needed help!

 

[montag451]

Can you see if a BIOS update from the mobo maker has this issue addressed?

Otherwise, it does sound like a flakey mobo issue.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Try it again with 2T, if it passes again just leave it like that. The performance hit isn't that big, and that way you get to use all your ram in DC.

 

[x3ro]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
Try it again with 2T, if it passes again just leave it like that. The performance hit isn't that big, and that way you get to use all your ram in DC.

2T on the first set of dual channel dimms wont even pass, however, 2T on the 2nd set will, but that's pretty weird..Ran 1T and 2T on the first pair of DIMMs and they get the same errors each time, at the same place (starting on test #5).

Even so, I'm still having problems burning cds and whatnot (skips in audio cds, that I never got before), and stuff like that.

I would like to o/c this venice, but i can't due to my issue

 

[x3ro]

Originally posted by: montag451
Can you see if a BIOS update from the mobo maker has this issue addressed?

Otherwise, it does sound like a flakey mobo issue.

I have the latest bios.

 

[UTmtnbiker]

I was just pointed to this thread by x3ro....I will say it was my motherboard that I sold him. Just to give a little history to see if this helps....

Started with Kingston Value RAM 2x512MB at PC2700 OC'ed to 3200 running at CL3. Tons of errors on one stick. One stick passed fine. I RMA'ed the stick to Kingston, got another stick, and ran memtest again. Both sticks passed.

However, I felt uncomfortable OC'ing PC2700 to 3200 on this, so I went and bought 2x512 of Corsair Value PC3200. Ran it at stock. Did a memtest on it, and I never got any errors or bluescreens.

At the time of selling the mobo, I had updated the BIOS, but to be honest, I had actually downgraded earlier as I thought it ran more stable with the older BIOS and only put on the newest BIOS to sell the board (most people like the lastest stuff on their board).

Other than that, I can't think of any variables...I never OC'ed the CPU (Winchester 3200+).

I will say if things aren't working and x3ro wan'ts to send it back, I'll willing to make the public statement that I'll work with him on it.

Feel free to PM me if any questions need to be answered that aren't in the thread.

EDITED TO CORRECT A FACTUAL ERROR ON THE CORSAIR MEMORY

 

[x3ro]

Originally posted by: UTmtnbiker
I was just pointed to this thread by x3ro....I will say it was my motherboard that I sold him. Just to give a little history to see if this helps....

Started with Kingston Value RAM 2x512MB at PC2700 OC'ed to 3200 running at CL3. Tons of errors on one stick. One stick passed fine. I RMA'ed the stick to Kingston, got another stick, and ran memtest again. Both sticks passed.

However, I felt uncomfortable OC'ing PC2700 to 3200 on this, so I went and bought 2x512 of Corsair Value PC3200. Ran it at stock. Did a memtest on it, and I never got any errors or bluescreens.

At the time of selling the mobo, I had updated the BIOS, but to be honest, I had actually downgraded earlier as I thought it ran more stable with the older BIOS and only put on the newest BIOS to sell the board (most people like the lastest stuff on their board).

Other than that, I can't think of any variables...I never OC'ed the CPU (Winchester 3200+).

I will say if things aren't working and x3ro wan'ts to send it back, I'll willing to make the public statement that I'll work with him on it.

Feel free to PM me if any questions need to be answered that aren't in the thread.

EDITED TO CORRECT A FACTUAL ERROR ON THE CORSAIR MEMORY

Thanks Roger. I appreciate that!

I'm unsure right now as to what I should do Buy another CPU and test that out? Or buy another motherboard and try that out?

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

My opinion - send it all back. No amount of money is worth the headaches induced by troubleshooting.