Need some memory help with an Asus A7V266-E mobo

[Lartamas]

Hello...
I need some expert advice here... I'm building my first computer for my son. Here is the list of hardware:
Windows XP pro
Asus A7V266-E Mobo (Onboard raid and sound) will disable sound
AMD 2000xp
80 GB Western Digital HD
2 512 mb Crucial memory (THIS IS MY MAJOR QUESTION AREA)
Creative Audigy platnum soundcard
Visionteck Ti 4600 graphics card
usr 5610B v92 modem
Toshiba 16x dvd
Plextor 40x12x40 cdrw
3com 3c905cx-tx NM Nic card

I haven't built or got all the parts for this system yet. I ran into a possible problem.
Some computer techs and builders in my area have told me that I need to use buffered or registered memory if I go over 512 mb of memory. (They use the msi boards mostly when they build system)
Since Im using 2 512 sticks of crucial DDR PC2100 cl 2.5 unbuffered memory I am told I will have stability problems...Blue screens and weird crap happening.
Crucial (Micron) tested this memory part # ct237923..but has not tested any registered memory for this board.
Micron could not tell me if they tested this with over 512mb of memory on the mobo.
I am concened and was hoping someone out there could tell me if they have some experience in this area.
I was told my motherboard will not take registered memory but I can't get an answer out of Asus...2 weeks of emails and no response and on the phone with them in a hold status (long waits over 45 minutes) and finally I hang up.

Someone told me the board will use registered memory but this person does not have the board or any tech experience.

My son has been waiting for over 6years for a new computer and I want everthing to be right...
Please any help from you guys would be so much appreciated!!!!

These tech guys here in my city told me about this awesome site....
Thanks for any help you can give me!


Lart.....

 

[SemperFi]

I am afraid I don't have an answer for you. I can say I have never read this anywhere when I was researching my next MB purchase. I was deciding between Asus and Soyo. I finally bought the Dragon+.

Anyhow I do know of a good place to look. AthlonMB Look in the Asus forum there is loads of info there. A place to start until you do get an answer.

Semper Fi

 

[Lartamas]

Thank you for this forum page Semperfi!!!
Looks big and I hope it will help find an answer.
But if anyone else see's this post here please respond!

Thanks again for the link!


Lart

 

[r0tt3n1]

Altho I have not used such large quantities of memory, according to the specs for the KT266A chipset, there should be no problem.
http://www.viatech.com/en/apollo/KT266A_WhitePaper.pdf
My A7V266-E is using 2 Crucial 256meg DDR 2100 memory modules without any issues. More than 512meg, using registered memory would be the way to go.

totally killer system u r building!! and it aint for YOURSELF?!?!?! dasm!!!

edit: cant speel.....

 

[r0tt3n1]

ahhh, came across thishttp://forums.viaarena.com/categories.cfm?catid=15 site, and figured you would be interested....

 

[Bug]

I'm using 1 gig of unregistered ram without any problems on an A7V266-E and a Athlon XP 1900. My OS's are Win2K Server and WinXP Pro. You shouldn't have any problems, unless you use a beta bios (I'm using 1006 final).

 

[Lartamas]

Hi Bug or splat Hi r0tt3n1

Thank you very much for that info. I see not many users (or at least I can't find them are using 1 gig of memory.)
I thought I better buy it after Intel made their announcement about RDRAM. I figured it would go up and DDR ram did 1 week after I bought it It went to $196 for a 512mb. So for right now I saved myself alot of money there!
Well right now I did anyway..Wait a while and I'll be sorry if I check prices...probably drop to $100 for a stick of 512.

r0tt3n1 After talking to crucial folks they downloaded the pdf file for the Asus A7V266-E manual and said that this board will NOT work with Registered ECC memory and Kingston nor Crucial sell Registered Non ECC memory..
Crucial said they checked memory on a A7V266 board with No E designator but running 1 gig should not be a problem I guess. They couldn't tell me if they tested with 256 or 3 gigs or anything.

So I will give it a try since Bug said hes ok with it.

I have several other questions that popped up too!
Would you guys explain to me is it true that the manual is wrong about PCI slot 1 NOT sharing an IRQ with the AGP???
I read on another forum that this is the correct specs:

Slot 1 Shares IRQ with slot 5, USB, promise controller. And only network or ISDN Cards go here and disabling promise in the bios does not free this IRQ.

Slot 2 is shared with the AGP and ACR and NOT TO PUT ANYTHING HERE THAT WILL SHARE AN IRQ!

Slot 3 is Onboard Audio But if sound is deactiviated you can free this IRQ

Slot 4 IS FREE!!!! YIPPEEE

Slot 5 Shares IRQ with slot 1... USB, promise controller. And only network or ISDN Cards go here and disabling promise in the bios does not free this IRQ.



So guys some questions...

1. Is this Info above correct????

2. Is it better to buy the card without onboard Raid and please tell me why if that is true???

3. Any sugggestion for BUG or anyone that has this motherboard with where is a good place to put the NIC card, the soundcard, the modem and possibly a raid card if I dont get the board with onboard raid????

4. Is the Antec 400 watt built in power supple in the SX1040 Antec case ok to use with this board and the AMD 2000xp processor? I see alot of folks using the Enermax power supply and was curious as to why?

Also, I know that some guys like to see what the bios settings are for others.
Is it best just to go with the standard defaults??

Thanks again for all your help.
I have most of the components bought now except for the MOBO.

r0tt3n1, I'm going to play with this new toy too when my son isn't on it...LOL

Thanks for all the help once again...Its nice to have guys that have the same board to chat with...Since Asus can't return phone calls or email.geeeez!


Lart

 

[Bug]

Let me give you some background info on exactly what ram I'm using so you have the whole picture:
2 x Crucial Un-Buffered Non-parity 256 mb PC 2100 ram, part #: CT3264Z265
1 x Mushkin Basic 512 mb PC2100 ram

There's a page at Mushkin that indicates exactly which motherboards work with their ram. Here is the one specific for the A7V266-E:
A7V266-E at Mushkin

I didn't see anything on Mushkin's site that indicates Registered ram is incompatible. However, even if you did buy the 256mb Registered ram from Mushkin and you had a problem, their customer service is supposedly stellar. But you may want to check with them first before ordering.
I haven't heard anything that the A7V266-E isn't compatible with Registered ram. But if Asus says that's the case, I'd be surprised. Btw, the "E" version is almost identical to the non-E except that the "E" uses the KT266A chipset, whereas the non-E uses the older KT266. Yes, it does make a difference.

I have the board with Raid, and it works quite well in Raid 1 (mirroring). I don't know if it's better to get the non-Raid, but I prefer data reliability myself.
I might have heard somewhere that you should put the sound card in the last pci slot, though I forget why.
I'd check AMD's website to make sure that whatever ps you buy, is compatible with the cpu. Also keep in mind what you may put in your machine down the road; at least 350 watts is good. More is better.
For the Bios, make sure you're running at least 1004B, which is quite stable. Avoid the beta bios' for now, unless you don't mind tweaking or want to disable the Raid bios
detection on bootup.

 

[Lartamas]

Just wanted to say computer is up and running...And thanks for the the help!
Crucial memory is working fine!
And the techs at Crucial are great...Thanks to Thomas of Crucial...A real gentleman!
Even called me today to make sure there are no concerns..
Thats great customer service!


Thanks again all...
Lart

 

[GeSuN]

Hey, another site for your mobo is A7V Troubleshooting. So next time you have a problem, go on that site, full of tricks and stuff