Problem with Dual channel memory(128-bit mode) on my Epox 8RGA+

[jonnyapple83]

I am wondering if i have a slightly defective board (ie. some sort of hardware problem involiving the memory controller) or if this is a problem that more people are running into. My Epox 8RGA+ works great when i only have one stick of ram (crucial 512 MB pc 3200) so that the memory is only using one channel in 64-bit mode. When i attempt to fill the other channels open DIMM slots my rig will boot up but eventully crash or restart itself. (When i tried installing windows in dual channel mode i alwasy got a blue screen error). I Have done some extensive trial and error testing to make sure the RAM is good. So has anyone else heard of problems running in dual channel memory mode or know any software/firmware updates that can fix this problem (if indeed it can be fixed without replaceing the Motherboard itself)

Thanks for any light you folks and shed on this subject!

 

[pspada]

Umm, how do you install Windows in dual channel mode?

 

[jonnyapple83]

All you have to do to be running your computer in dual channel memory mode is have more then one stick of ram in the mother board. If you have 2-3 sticks of ram in serted then you can run in dual channel memory mode, giving your seperate dimms, 2 different memroy buses to use. SO all you do is turn on your computer with 2-3 Dimms in it and try and install windows!

 

[pspada]

I thought you were refering to some weird command line switch or something. I know what dual channel is, and I've installed windows on many machines that were running in dual channel mode.

Your problem is your ram. Get better stuff, or relax your timings.

 

[jonnyapple83]

I dont think it is the ram, because A) its crucial ram B) its clocked at its SPD timings (nothing is faster then it is supposed to be) and then C) the rig runs perfectly fine with only one DIMM or one channel of memory being used. I suspect the memory controller ont he mainboard itself is the cuplperate. What do you think?

 

[pspada]

Perhaps you should try relaxing the timings and see what happens. It would certainly prove or disprove that the ram is the problem. My RAM ran at 2-2-2-6 on a KT400 mobo, but runs at 2-3-3-8 on my nForce2 dual channel.

 

[jonnyapple83]

my timing are 3-3-3-8 , its gotta be the memory controller on the mainboard, well i guess new egg is gunna be hearing from me. Thanks for your input pspada!

 

[Aenslead]

I beleive your problem could be related to the type of memory you are using.

You should know that if you wish to work in dual channel mode, you MUST have two IDENTICAL memory modules, that is, same density, same speed, same chip count... and of course, have them installed in slots 1 & 3, otherwise, it is very possible you will not work on 128bit mode.

The difference on your modules could be the reason for your unstable system.

Individualy, your memory modules could work just fine... but will not work in pairs.

SO... in brief: if you have a 512Mb CL2 @ 333, then get yourself ANOTHER 512Mb CL2 @ 333 to work on 128Bit mode.

 

[pspada]

I was under the impression that the ram modules were identical. And we also never discussed if you were overclocking or not.

 

[jonnyapple83]

I am not overclocking and all my memory modules are identical... All 512 MB cas3 pc3200 Crucial brand

 

[watkins]

I believe you can only use dual channel with memory rated no faster than PC 2700 w/nforce2.

 

[phpdog]

Theres some weird issue with some EPoX boards about cold booting in dual channel mode ,
you should be able to download the latest BIOS and theres an extra feature in the memory controls for a warm startup .... i think thats what it is ..... anyway i kept getting a lil alarm and NO boot when i tried to run in DC with that board until i got the latest BIOS ...hope this helps ...bye