now this is a wierd turn of events - memory upgrade and overclocking issue (and not a stability one, I think)

[grepcomputers]

So...I just upgraded my computer - I replaced my PC2100 512MB Transcend DIMM with two 512MB PC3200 Crucial dimms. (which was a bit hairy at first because I kept getting blue screens when booting until I realized that the dimms needed to be in slots 1&2, not 2&3).

P4 1.6A @ 2.1GHz - 133/533 instead of 100/400 - on an ASUS P4S533

Anyways, with this new memory upgrade, I can no longer overclock the processor. If I have it set to anything but 1.6GHz / 100MHz it won't boot and when I reboot it goes to the BIOS with an "computer did not boot due to an incorrect frequency setting". I set CPU frequency to manual, set fsb to 133/33, and no boot. Doesn't matter what the FSB/Memory ratio is set to. In fact, the only thing left to automatic was the memory settings - which are detected via SPD.

Why can't I overclock with my new memory in?

The old memory was in DIMM slot #3...and there was only one dimm. Could that have something to do with it?

Or maybe I should set the RAM settings manually?

::sigh::

thanks...
...grep

 

[tuskenraider]

Try each stick separately if you can, and see how you can overclock each individual stick to pinpoint a possible bad one of the two, or maybe both. Might just have compatability probs, though usually not on intel setups. Get memtest, google it to find it, and run that as well to test the ram for errors. Good luck!

 

[grepcomputers]

The ram is PC3200 - and the highest RAM speed my mobo will go is 200MHz (400MHz DDR). So the RAM is always in spec. Even if I set the RAM as 1:1, ie the bus speed, it still won't overclock.

The RAM appears stable, at least it ran Prime95 torture test for over an hour...does Prime95 test the RAM? Or just the CPU?

Ugh. I'm about ready to throw in the towel with oc'ing and just buy a P4 2.66GHz or something...

cheers...
...grep

 

[grepcomputers]

I tried putting the old RAM back in, same slot and everything (and I know this RAM is stable), and the problem persists. Now that's wierd. I wonder what changed...

Well, the only other thing that changed was that I added a new power supply. (Antec True550)

If the additional mobo connector wasn't delivering correct power, would that cause a problem like this? (you know, the P4 four-prong connector)

I even tried downgrading the BIOS to the previous version which had been working so well for so long...

::sigh::

am I doomed to have a 1.6GHz processor now?

cheers...
...grep

 

[o1die]

Only suggestion I can think of is trying to load xp again at the default settings, then attempt your overclock. My 1.6a was running ok at 133 for quite awhile, then started getting windows bluescreen errors. I was running it at 1.6-1.625 volts, which shouldn't hurt it long term. I ended up selling the whole system and leaving it on the default settings. Reloading windows with the new memory at the correct setting might work. Give it a try.

 

[grepcomputers]

My problem is not blue-screens - I've fixed those. And not instability, I've fixed that too.

My problem is, I can't overclock anymore. At least, I can set it up to, but it won't post while oc'ed. And it did before. And all the settings worked fine before, and were perfectly stable - 12+ hrs Prime95 torture test. And the temps are all still the same, too.

 

[grepcomputers]

I think I figured out what it was.
If I set the RAM ratio to 4:6 while set to 133 FSB, or if I set the RAM timings to anything other than "by SPD", the computer won't boot unless set to a 100MHz FSB (though I haven't tried any others besides 133 and 100).

So, I don't believe the P4S533 supports DDR400 RAM with a 133MHz FSB. In fact, in jumper-ed mode, the max you can set it at is 133/166 fsb/ram.

I don't get the RAM timings, though.

cheers...
...grep