Well, I put in the new enermax psu today, and there's no improvement. I've got two days left to figure this thing out. What the heck could the problem be? The only original parts left in the system are the cpu and the memory, and I've tried other memory sticks in it already
ok. the voltage levels in the bios are now much more stable, but the computer still gives blue screens and freezes. I've run the normal and extended tests on memtest and it constantly freezes. I ran test 5, and it passed once, then froze 87% through the second run. I'm going to try the other two memory sticks at my disposal tomorrow, but if that's not it, I'm out of ideas.
mechBgon
Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
- Oct 31, 1999
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Now try some Crucial PC2700 memory. Also, do you have your ATX12V cable plugged in, and do you have your heatsink on correctly (third & fourth photos) with a fresh coat of high-quality thermal grease at each install?
yes yes yes, I've made sure of all that...what's so big about crucial memory? I've always gotten reliable memory from portatech, and someone earlier in this thread informed me that the chips on my memory are from a very reputable memory distributor. Besides, I'm not gonna go out and buy someone else's memory when portatech offers a lifetime warranty for mine. I'm trying to save my friend money, not buy two of every part.
well, I haven't tried the other two sticks of memory yet, but I did try to install XP with precharge disabled and enabled, i tried it with all onboards (lan, audio, etc) enabled and disabled, I tried fail-safe defaults, I tried optimized defaults, and just about every other configuration I could come up with, and they all either gave me blue screens or froze. One even restarted the machine without my permission....(not sure what that one was about). Like I said, I'll try the other two sticks of memory tomorrow. Any suggestions as to which way I should set the bios when I do try them? Any other suggestions in general (except buy crucial memory)?
mechBgon
Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
- Oct 31, 1999
- 30,699
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\
As for the chips on the memory module, that's only part of what makes up a memory module. Who made the circuit board itself? How about the resistors and the other surface-mounted goodies? Good-quality, poor-quality...?
At any rate, now you have a good-quality power supply, and in the long run that may pay dividends in reliability and longevity, if you can iron out whatever is bugging the system.
I don't think I ever got it clarified what speed the memory is rated for, by the way, but for nForce2, do NOT run it out-of-sync to the CPU's FSB. If you have PC3200, manually downclock it to PC2700 speeds so its bus speed (DDR333) matches the CPU's bus speed. Yes, this would mean running the memory slower than its rated speed... but the system will get 20% better UT2003 Botmatch framerates if you do. Sync = So start by resetting the CMOS to clear out the goofing around with the timings and then set the memory to run at 100% of the CPU bus speed for DDR333/PC2700 operation, at 2.6-2.7 volts and default sub-timings (2.5-3-3-7 or whatever it likes).
I have thirty-six AthlonXP/nForce systems running absolutely rock-solid on Crucial memory and Antec power supplies, so I have a certain measure of confidence in them and their consistent quality.
As for the chips on the memory module, that's only part of what makes up a memory module. Who made the circuit board itself? How about the resistors and the other surface-mounted goodies? Good-quality, poor-quality...?
At any rate, now you have a good-quality power supply, and in the long run that may pay dividends in reliability and longevity, if you can iron out whatever is bugging the system.
I don't think I ever got it clarified what speed the memory is rated for, by the way, but for nForce2, do NOT run it out-of-sync to the CPU's FSB. If you have PC3200, manually downclock it to PC2700 speeds so its bus speed (DDR333) matches the CPU's bus speed. Yes, this would mean running the memory slower than its rated speed... but the system will get 20% better UT2003 Botmatch framerates if you do. Sync =
So start by resetting the CMOS to clear out the goofing around with the timings and then set the memory to run at 100% of the CPU bus speed for DDR333/PC2700 operation, at 2.6-2.7 volts and default sub-timings (2.5-3-3-7 or whatever it likes).I thought I mentioned that earlier, but I guess not. All the memory I have available to me is pc2700. I did have pc3200 in it earlier, but it clearly states in the manual that if you run pc3200, you cannot use onboard video.
Fern
Elite Member
- Sep 30, 2003
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1st, go into the "Soft Menu III" and ste the "CPU FSB/Dram Ratio" to 6:6 or mathematical equivelent (1:1 etc)
2nd, go into "Advanced Chipset Features" and set ram timings to "Optimal" or "SPD"
Doing this will ensure that cpu/ram is running in synch (what mecBgon advised) and that your ram timings are set to most stable settings.
BTW, I think your ram needs to be replaced.
Good Luck
I'm starting to think that too, but that's gonna take upwards of two weeks (priority mail both ways and up to 7 business days of testing/paperwork on their end), and they're supposed to have this computer by tomorrow...anyway, in the process of memory trials, so I'll let you know. Also, there's an option for optimal and SPD...which is more desireable?
ok...tried memory on all bios possibilities I could come up with. First stick (the one I started this post with) gives me freezes and blue screens all day long. First stick I pulled out of my working system also gives blue screens and freezes, but almost all occur about 80-90 percent through transferring files to HD for winXP. Third stick was totally incompatible with test system (wouldn't even boot). Also, is it possible that since two sticks of memory are having this problem, that the mobo is the defective piece? I mean, I know the nearly flawless reputation this board (abit nf7-m for those that don't read above messages) has, that's one of the reasons I selected it, but it just seems weird that a stick that is stable in my system and is nearly identical (pc2700, 64x64, etc) would fail in this box.
And lastly, when I set spd and ratios listed above, what should the memory precharge, onboard devices, and video/bios cacheing be set to for best likelyhood of a stable windows install?
I was hoping that while I rma the bad stick of memory that this box could run on the stick I pulled from my computer so that I could deliver on time
And lastly, when I set spd and ratios listed above, what should the memory precharge, onboard devices, and video/bios cacheing be set to for best likelyhood of a stable windows install?
I was hoping that while I rma the bad stick of memory that this box could run on the stick I pulled from my computer so that I could deliver on time
Fern
Elite Member
- Sep 30, 2003
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Thats messed up. But reviewing the above, looks like your cpu and ram both run stock at 166/333. So auto s/b the same as 1:1 or equivelent. Keep it on auto for now )(if you put pc3200, you'll need to change it though, or you'll be runing out-of-synch).
that one's actually no longer available. I rma'd it when I found out about the onboard video conflict. It says it in bold print in the manual, but it isn't mentioned anywhere when you first buy the board. I wasn't too happy with that. I sent it back and got the one that's giving me so much trouble in return.
Anyway, just sent that one out priority mail for a return, but meantime I got a really big paperweight
Anyway, just sent that one out priority mail for a return, but meantime I got a really big paperweight
my $$$ is on board being bad, your probably onto something when you mentioned bad RAM slots, youve changed every other part... other than the cpu, unless ive missed something in my 3 times reading through this thread, do you have anything compatable to the board to try thats known working, doesnt have to be same speed. i'm just thinking to eliminate all factors
no. I'm pretty limited here at school unfortunately. Should I send it back just to be sure? If I get the memory back and it's not the problem, I don't have time to wait around on another part.
if the first memory slot were bad, would the other two work, or is it an all or nothing deal, because I could try the memory I do have in the other two slots
I tried the memory I have in all three slots, and I got blue screens every time. I originally ordered the mbo from zipzoomfly, but it's no longer under their 30-day warranty (even though it's probably been bad the whole time), so I checked abit's site. They have this thing called eRMA, which when you click on it sends you to a dead link. What should I do? Is it worth trying to send the mobo back, or should I wait on the RAM?
Fern
Elite Member
- Sep 30, 2003
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Looks like you've tried 3 different sticks of ram, including one known-good working stick. So, either (1) the ram is incompatible with this board, (2) the mobo is bad or (3) none of the ram is good (unlikely since one is known to be good working).
1 or 2 seem the likley answer, IMHO. As far as the ram being incompatible, I am assuming that it is all of the same brand/maker. Even so will be difficult to tell UNLESS you can borrow some made by a different manufacturer to test.
There is a sticky on incompatible ram over nForcersHQ. But Portatech is not listed. Even so, that is not neccessarily determinative, since portatech uses infineon modules one would need to know what modules the ram posted there were using, and I don't. I do know that Kingston uses infineon, and some Kingston is incompatible. but not all.
If you rma the board and it's the ram which is incompatible, well the rma would be a waste. Is there not someone at school/work/neighborhood who can loan you a stick for a few hours to test (even if its pc 2100, 2700, or 3200)?
The RMA procedure is a bit of a crap shoot according to some. I rma'd a an nf7 a little while ago, took a while cuz the first one I received was bad (a combination of poor packaging and shoddy shipping, the dimm retaining clips were crushed and broken requiring a second rma). Would hate to see you go through this process if it wasn't gonna help.
BTW, if you have tried different manufacturers of ram, pardon me for missing it, the threads getting a little long
Fern
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