Some assistance please

[ciwell]

Alright, I have the following:

3200+ "Winchester" 90nm
MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum
2x512MB Patriot XBL RAM @ 2.5-3-3-7 1T

The first thing I did was adjust the timings on the memory from 2-2-2-5 2T to the above stated memory. In the BIOS I had the memclock set to Auto, however when I tried to adjust the memclock to 200, the entire system just went kaputz. Blank screen, no POST. So I cleared the CMOS and tried again, this time setting the memclock to 133, same timings and it POSTs fine. Alright, went back into the BIOS and put it at 166 and then again, nothing..blank screen and no POST. From what I have read, this is not right? What is going on here, would someone help me out here? Thanks in advance.

 

[ciwell]

Anyone?

 

[Jman13]

What speed is you RAM rated for?

 

[ciwell]

This is the RAM I am using.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-220-033&depa=0

 

[BoleCailey]

Have you overclocked your processor? If you have not? Then something isnt right. If you have what is your HTT (FSB)? If your HTT is at 200 you should be able to run your memory on auto at 200. Leave it on auto and see what cpuz says defaults are. Have you raised the voltage on your memory yet? You are safe until2.7-2.8 on most memory. Those timing are probably just to tight for running at 1:1 especially if you are on stock voltage.


Actually they should be able to do what you are trying to do after reading up on that memory.

 

[ciwell]

No, the CPU is not overclocked at all. The only thing I was doing was loosening the timings of the memory from 2-2-2-5 1T to 2.5-3-3-7 1T in preparation for o/cing the CPU. However, when I changed the memclock to 200Mhz, the whole thing crashed. So, I left it at the "Auto" setting and went into CPU-z and it says the memory is running @ ~100Mhz. Hence my trepidation. Is the memory bad or is it a motherboard thing? After everything was built I ran Prime95, 3DMark01 and 05, and Memtest and they all passed after a long period of testing (about 12hrs prime, memtest = 4.5hrs); i.e. no errors.

Again, thanks in advance for any help...this is turning some hairs grey.

Edit: Just to make things more clear, EVERYthing in this was at stock before I started loosening the timings on the memory.

 

[shira]

Leave the memclock at auto. Your memory should be able to handle a 1:1 ratio to a fairly high FSB frequency with those relaxed timing.

 

[ciwell]

The thing is, though, that my RAM is set to AUTO right now, yet CPU-z is reading 100Mhz, not 200, or 166, or even 133...

 

[shira]

Originally posted by: ciwell
The thing is, though, that my RAM is set to AUTO right now, yet CPU-z is reading 100Mhz, not 200, or 166, or even 133...

I think this means that you're not actually getting dual-channel performance. Which slots does the manual say are correct for RAM placement in dual-channel mode? For some MBs, it's slots 1 and 2, for others 1 and 3. And still others are optimal in slots 2 and 4.

 

[ciwell]

The manual says place them in either 1 and 3 OR 2 and 4. They are currently placed in 1 and 3. When I get home I will switch them to 2 and 4 and see if that does anything, however, I am not sure it will (would be awesome if I was wrong on that, though).

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Whats your ddr volts? TCCD loves volts, and many motherboards set the volts too low at default. With TCCD you should never use lower than 2.75v, if you overclock the ram increase it to 2.80-2.90. My OCZ TCCD has an extended warranty limit of 3.0v and I've seen people run it higher than that. Some mobos don't allow over 2.8, in that case I would recomend the OCZ DDR booster.

 

[ciwell]

You know what, I didn't even consider that. I will check that when I get home. Thanks for the tip and cookie for you if that is the reason.

Edit: However, when I think about it, why would the volts affect a throttling back of the timings and a memsetting of 200Mhz?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Because if the ram won't pass the initial boot up check, the mobo automatically drops the settings to allow it to boot. That would be my guess?

If it works I'll take chocolate chip with a glass of milk

 

[ciwell]

Ah, so voltage does not affect timings? Because it worked fine out of the box at 2-2-2-10 1T, although it did have that same 100Mhz...

hmm...got me thinking.

And chocolate chip and milk it is if this is what it turns out to be.

 

[ciwell]

Alright, checked the voltage and it was set to Auto so I went ahead and changed it to 2.75....and the memclock to 200Mhz....nothing, no POST. So, I reset everything and set the voltage back to 2.75 and put the clock to 166...this time I left all the timings on Auto and this time it did POST. Great. Well, went back into the BIOS and set the command rate from 2T to 1T and left the timings to AUTO...no POST. So, I think I nailed it down. These sticks don't like to be at 1T with any memclock above 100Mhz. Am I right in my guess and if so, does that mean I got a crap set of sticks?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

It sounds like you do have a hardware problem. Unfortunately with the A64's onboard memory controller, you can't be sure at this point that its memory, it could be the CPU or possibly even the motherboard.

Here is a couple of things you can try

1. Try booting with just 1 512 module. Test each stick seperately starting with slot1(try slot3 if 1 doesn't work) This will reveal if one stick is bad, or if you somehow got a mismatched set

2. Ram Swap testing. If you have access to another working system with DDR ram, test the sticks on this system. Or test the ram in the working system on the new board (adjust memory divider according to accomidate older ram). This should isolate the problem as either ram or CPU/motherboard.

3. CPU Swap testing. If the first two tests isolate the problem to the CPU/Motherboard then test the CPU in another system or test a known working CPU on this board.


The last two tests obviously require access to additional parts and or a compatible working system. If you don't meet these requirements then you should be able to take it to a local computer shop and get them to test if for you.

 

[ciwell]

bummer...then I hope it is the RAM. Going to pop open the old Dell and test the sticks.

 

[ciwell]

I tried to put the memory sticks from 1 and 3 to 2 and 4, yet when I did that, the computer did not POST at all. Does that mean it is the motherboard that is crap then?

 

[ciwell]

Alright, I just tried it with only one stick and it worked perfectly. 2.5-3-3-7 1T @ 200Mhz. Going to try the second stick now. My confuzzledness is growing. lol.

 

[ciwell]

Alright, I am a complete and utter moron. Here is a box full of cookies to all who helped and looked. The problem was that the MSI does not like 1 and 3 placement of memory....so....stuck it in 1 and 2 and everything works perfectly.



<--me

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Alright, good to see your back on the road.