Using Registered ECC memory

[jwalker46]

My Abit kg-7 has developed a bad case of leaking capacitors, so it is time to build a new system.

I would like to salvage the cpu (Athlon 1.4 Ghz) and memory (Crucial CL 2.5 Registered ECC 4x250mb) to put into a cheap mobo to use as a file server or NAS. However, I can't find any socket A boards now that support registered ECC memory.

Will Reg ECC dram work at all in a mobo that does not support that feature? (In other words...what would happen?)

Thanks in advance, and apologies for what may be a really stupid question.

 

[Peter]

Registered DIMMs require chipset support, and then a BIOS that bothers check for them.

Are these DDR? If so, your best bet is a board that uses a VIA socket-A chipset.

 

[jwalker46]

Peter, Thanks for your help. Yes, the sticks are DDR 266 (PC2100. Unfortunately, I have not found any mobos still on the market that support them. ;-(

 

[kb3edk]

Originally posted by: jwalker46
Peter, Thanks for your help. Yes, the sticks are DDR 266 (PC2100. Unfortunately, I have not found any mobos still on the market that support them. ;-(

I see two brand new KG7s currently being auctioned on eBay: This one, and this one.

Some may advise you also to check out the ABIT legal settlement site, but the deadline to file a claim was February 15th (besides which, the KG7 appears not to have been named in the suit).

As a last resort you may also try to have the capacitors replaced, BadCaps.net has been doing these types of repairs for some time and may be worth a look if those auctions get out of reach.

Good luck,

 

[jwalker46]

Adam in Philly......thanks from jwalker from NJ......

Thanks for the links. I'm not sure if I trust an auction for a "new" mobo that was discontinued more than three years ago......where's it been sitting?.....but it may be a good idea. I have written to Abit to ask if they would repair the capacitors (for a fee)....not even the courtesy of an answer. My guess is.....my loss, my error (to buy an Abit).......and time to move on. Asrock 939SLI32 is en route.

Thank you for your help!!

 

[Peter]

Socket-939 boards don't run registered DIMMs, you know that?

You might want to eye a dual-CPU socket-940 build ... that'll make excellent use of those four DIMMs

 

[jwalker46]

Peter, Yes I understand -- I was changing topics in mid-sentence. I have ordered parts for a new pc, socket 939.....but I am also trying to find a way to use the ram, cpu, and agp card on my decaying mobo. Your point on socket 940 is interesting, but honestly the memory is a little slow for that, and I would still prefer to keep the other legacy parts. I will watch ebay more carefully, and thanks again for pointing to that.

 

[Peter]

In that case you'll have to try something that uses a VIA chipset, or a dual-socket-A board that uses AMD's own northbridge.

A cheap bet (albeit not for all four DIMMs) would be the PC-Chips M811. The KT266A north bridge definitely supports Registered DIMMs - and if the board's BIOS happens to have it too, you're in.