System won't run at 1T with more than one stick of RAM

[erorr404]

I have a MSI 648 Max-L motherboard which refuses to boot with at the "MA 1T" BIOS setting with two or more sticks of RAM. The only way it boots into Windows at MA 1T (with more than one stick) is when the RAM is underclocked from the stock 166 mHz to 133 mHz. It works flawlessly with no stability issues at MA 2T with more than one stick of RAM, however.
Is this supposed to be happening or is there a problem with the motherboard? There's nothing in the motherboard manual regarding RAM sizes/configurations with 1T/2T timings.

 

[d2arcturus]

I believe your CPU is supposed to run with PC2100 RAM (133), 533/4=133. I think that's how Pentium works...
So either run your ram at 133 or OC the processor to 166. I don't know if OCing will fix it, but it's worth a shot if no one else knows, and you'll have a faster CPU .

 

[erorr404]

yes the CPU FSB is 133 MHz but that doesn't make any difference when using a divider...

 

[d2arcturus]

Well you can run at 1T when the RAM is at the same speed as the CPU. That suggests to me that the RAM speed shouldn't be higher, and if so, then at 2T.
You know what, this is the extent of my Intel knowledge. Just up the clock speed to 166 and tell me if it works .

 

[erorr404]

:Q. i never knew that using a divider with a higher speed of RAM than FSB limits you to using 2T. are you sure about this?
i wish i could overclock my CPU to 166 MHz but it wont even do 137 mHz stable with this crappy motherboard.

 

[d2arcturus]

Originally posted by: erorr404
are you sure about this?

It's feasible I guess, though I don't know, just dusting off the old logic .
Are you having this problem with two sticks or three sticks?

 

[erorr404]

bump

 

[erorr404]

bump

 

[erorr404]

bump

 

[Rock Hydra]

It sounds like a crappy memory controller. I would see if you can sell that board and suppliment one that has an intel chipset on it. They have superior memory controllers than that of the SiS based chipsets. (That is if your budget allows)
Cheapest 865PE chipset board on newegg

 

[erorr404]

so, is it an actual problem with the motherboard, or does is it true for all motherboards with this memory controller?

i had my eye on this mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130450R
do refurbs still have the original manufacturer's warranty?

 

[Rock Hydra]

The only problem is, you might not be getting what you see in the pictue. Buy it outright retail, and you know you have a warranty, from the Manufacturer/newegg alike.

 

[erorr404]

what do you mean it won't be the same as in the picture?
as long as i get the same model as i ordered, what's the problem?

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

I've heard Newegg refurbs are crap... Better dish out a little more money to get it retail.

 

[Sentry2]

bump

 

[Amaroque]

Originally posted by: t3h l337 n3wb
I've heard Newegg refurbs are crap... Better dish out a little more money to get it retail.

All refurbs are crap, unless you know that you don't need things like the ATX backplate, SATA/IDE cables.... Manuals, and driver CD's can be missing also.

Refurb only gurantees the main component (the MB) is still there.

 

[erorr404]

Originally posted by: Sentry2
bump

wow, thanks for the bump.

Originally posted by: Amaroque

Originally posted by: t3h l337 n3wb
I've heard Newegg refurbs are crap... Better dish out a little more money to get it retail.

All refurbs are crap, unless you know that you don't need things like the ATX backplate, SATA/IDE cables.... Manuals, and driver CD's can be missing also.

Refurb only gurantees the main component (the MB) is still there.

that is fine with me, i already have cables, and i can download the manual and drivers.
as long as the motherboard works well, everything's fine.
what is an ATX backplate?

 

[Amaroque]

It's the IO shield. Here is a picture of one. The only problem is that the IO shield is usually unique to a particular motherboard.

So if you are unlucky, and don't get one with the refurb, you may have a rectangular hole where everything plugs in the MB. It's things like this, that make me shy away from refurbs.

 

[erorr404]

good point, IO shield is pretty important, but that and the mobo itself are the only things that i really need.
i dont know if i can justify the $30 price difference between the $50 refurb and the $80 retail.
is it possible that there is something wrong with the motherboard itself if i get a refurb, like it wont overclock as much as a new model? and is it still covered by manufacturer's warranty?

 

[erorr404]

bump
any more opinions on whether to get the refurb or not?

 

[Rock Hydra]

Originally posted by: erorr404
what do you mean it won't be the same as in the picture?
as long as i get the same model as i ordered, what's the problem?

Newegg says that they show the retail picture, and it's not necessarily what you'll get when you buy the product.

 

[Rock Hydra]

Originally posted by: Rock Hydra

Originally posted by: erorr404
what do you mean it won't be the same as in the picture?
as long as i get the same model as i ordered, what's the problem?

Newegg says that they show the retail picture, and it's not necessarily what you'll get when you buy the product.

Once again, I suggest against it.