Won't boot.... Asus P4T533-C and Mushkin PC1066

[FrozenAthlon]

As the title states, I put together my rig on friday night with hopes of having a kick-a$$ system. Every Intel fan out there probably is well informed about the Asus P4T533-C mobo equipped with the I850E chipset supporting both PC800/PC1066 RDRAM. The only brands of PC1066 RDRAM I found available are Kingston and Mushkin. So I bought 4x256mb Mushkin (samsung chips rated at 32ns). Everything was put together without any problems until I turned it on........... Low and behold the endless beeping loop, indicates memory error!! I don't want to replace this mobo, I already fell in love with the layout/features besides the only other mobo I found was Intel. I want to make sure that if I NEED to replace my memory that I will purchase some that actually is compatible.

 

[BD231]

Well the first step is tring different memory configs. It sounds like you have computer know-how so just start trouble shooting, as our blind guesses couldn't do as much good as working on the system itself would. I've been hearing of a BIOS update, you could start there.

 

[GT1999]

Try different configs of RAM. You have 4 sticks -- try all different combinations

 

[FrozenAthlon]

new config as in removing sticks because the possibility of defective ram or just switching them around in the dimms...... just want more suggestions. I apologize, not familiar on how to troubleshoot this post error, never had this problem in previous builds.

 

[Scipionix]

You only have two options for the memory: C-RIMMs in front or C-RIMMS in back. Actuallya few people have been having trouble with this board and PC1066 memory, but in your case it sounds like it might just be the RAM. You can't get to BIOS yet, right?

 

[Scipionix]

Oh, you have FOUR of those. Try two at a timeand mix em up.

 

[FrozenAthlon]

lets recap on today's troubleshooting shall we....

First off, I continuously swiched the memory dimms around without any luck then removed two sticks and filled the empty dimms with c-rimms. When I started the PC w/ that configuration I didn't receive any beep post errors BUT nothing appears on monitor! After swapping with the remaining two sticks the same thing happened, I tried this technique in both channels by the way. At this point I'm frustrated enough to call ASUS tech support, after waiting on hold for 15 minutes a rep answered to take down name and number for call back due to heavy call volume... Never got a call today... I did get in touch with Mushkin tech support, the rep I spoke with didn't offer any new suggestions but did refer me to someone who tests and qualifies memory in their lab... He gave me his email... since my machine is busted he did me a favor by contacting this tech for me to contact me directly. AWESOME. This tech has been running this same ram in two different mobos so far, IWILL and INTEL, both containing the I850E chipset. He hasn't received the ASUS board yet for testing so he couldn't help much in the department of personal experience. After explaining what I've already done with this board and the memory he suggested a possible BOIS update. I have another CPU, 2.0ghz NW 400mhz FSB that he had me try and go through the routine of stripping down to barebone and alternating memory along with removing the mobo to elimate the possibility of a short.... Nothing.....His next suggestion was to buy some PC800 RDRAM and see if I can boot.... Then after the BIOS flash update then try the PC1066. Then after trying the slower RDRAM and still no response even after swiching CPU's, the mobo is bad - no question....With a new mobo (I hope it doesn't go this far) I'm tackling this whole cycle all over again, ultimate goal is the make this mushkin ram work with the ASUS, but will a bois update do the trick!??!?! In the back of my mind I'm still thinking of trying the Kingston PC1066 and seeing those results.... This person reassured me that the Asus board shouldn't have a incompatibility with their ram because they use geniune samsung (the rdram so-called standard chip)....

What are your thoughts so far..... suggestions? your personal experience with this board?

Thanks Again,
Frozen

 

[etalns]

Frozenathlon, I've looked around a bit and I'm having a bit of trouble guessing what the exact problem is just becuase I dont have the computer in my hands physically to mingle with.

After browsing through the FAQ's section, I found something which may help fix your problem.

Kudos to Andy for this FAQ.

My ASUS P4T-E with Northwood won't boot up!

Hope this helps!

Best of luck

 

[Den]

I do not think the p4t-e bios issue is relevent here. I have the same board and a 2.53 cpu and Kingston RAM. I had a similar problem, but with only 2 sticks of RDRAM it always gave the memory error beep. When you mix the ram around and get it to not beep there are a few things you can try. First, reset the BIOS by either shorting the jumpers on the MB the manual says or removing the battery for 10 min. When you try to boot, if you are not getting the memory beep, wait a good 5 min and see if it will boot, I experienced a very long boot time several times, and have seen others report it as well. I have temporarily switched to PC800 and it works fine, so I am RMA'ing the PC1066 and we will see what happens when I get it back.

Good Luck,
Dan

 

[Acanthus]

I have this same ram on an Abit TH7-II and have no problems with it as long as i dont set the Vdifferential in the bios to 7x (default is 6x) if i set it to 7x, it wont post at any speed (even PC600) i had to reset the CMOS to get it to post again. And as for I850e my TH7II has no problems with a 155fsbx4 for my rdram so I850e isnt really needed....

 

[Bozo Galora]

there is a more complete thread on this over in motherboards. It does appear to be a mobo issue, tho I would think it unnecessary to reset cmos every time you move a ram stick - if true, thats a bit absurd.
Asus is clueless, one TSR didn't even know 1066 was out.

 

[Big Lar]

I have the Asus P4T533-c also & 2 Sticks of the Mushkin 256 32n's, and am having NO problems with them at all, Question; when you power up, does the green light onboard come on, and any fan activity? Also, Do Not plug in the Easy connector & the P4 4pin connector to the board at the same time, use either 1 or the other. 1 more thing, what version of bios are you running? Mine came with the 1003.

 

[Bozo Galora]

the problem has been nailed in the mobo forum.
its the bios resetting to auto each time. If you clear cmos, you need 800MHZ RAM to reboot with.
mushkin is now talking with ASUS.

 

[FrozenAthlon]

ARGHH!!! This is turning into a nightmare. I've received another call from the mushkin tech today before I started my second day of troubleshooting...... He talked with another rep (different company) currently testing the Asus board with mushkin ram. The information given to him was in regards to a memory dimm problem with the board itself, very selective about the placement of the ram, needed to be removed and reseated numorous times before a post. Nothing was brought up about using PC800?!?! Anyways I think there is more to this than just using different RDRAM, even though that in itself is pretty ridiculous! Conclusion that was made today was ditching the ASUS (due to the fact that its a bad board, just currently, im sure they will correct these problems over time) I decided on the Intel D850EMV2L but it doesn't seem to like my ram very much either.... DAMN! This was the probelm, I started up the PC and everything looked and sounded wonderful until I reinstalled windows... During the step of copying files it wouldn't find at least 10 different files but I would continuously hit retry until it proceeded with the installation. I finally have this rig running currently (but I skipped a few files during install and also isn't very stable) Also I would like to mention that when I first started this PC, I was given a warning message that asked it I would like to run the PC1066 even though its not supported and I answered yes...
Bottom Line, I'm still not happy, this is by far the biggest headache I've ever dealt with in my years of working with computer hardware... The solution to my current problem I think is to downgrade to PC800 rated at 40NS that complies with the current board I'm using. But hey, I do like the Idea of the Intel CPU, board, chipset idea but it's still not very stable unless I change memory (my intelligent guess) This mushkin ram I have faith in, I used plenty of their ram in the past and I don't want to abandon this RD not to mention its non-refundable. (in the case of defective sticks they would be more than happy to replace them for me) I just came across another board worth considering, Gigabyte GA-8IHXP, it might work...

Thats all i have to say, currently
Frozen

 

[Bozo Galora]

with all you problems, why would you not even go to the mobo forum to look at what they said?
the AT member actually took his whole box to Mushkin (Kingston)
there will be a simple bios fix shortly

well, you can lead a horse..........

Edit: Corrected brand.

 

[FrozenAthlon]

FYI I did drop a visit in the mobo forum and to correct you, they were talking about kingston not mushkin. Also I would like to add that its really sad when I company rushes products out the door (especially ASUS) to be first on shelves and these are the results...

 

[Bozo Galora]

ya, that was my point in the "other" thread.
(and for some reason I always confuse mushkin and kingston)
this mobo thing has gotten so competitive, they issue boards while bios revisions are still in the midst of being written.
it was mentioned on another site that there will be a consolidation among mobo makers in the near future - there just isn't enough profit/business to go around like there used to be.

 

[Fisher999]

I spoke with "Bruce" at Mushkin about this very issue as I had intended to purchase this motherboard from NewEgg and the RDRAM from Mushkin. He informed me that now is NOT a good time to purchase this board. Mushkin sells the 32ns Samsung PC-1066 RDRAM (as you know) but Asus's "specification" page for the board states WAY DOWN AT THE BOTTOM that the ONLY PC-1066 officially validated for use with this board at the current time is Samsung PC-1066 35ns; Asus gives a SPECIFIC Samsung part number.

"Bruce" told me that Samsung is only shipping Mushkin the 32ns modules and he sounded unhappy and perplexed, hence his advice to WAIT BEFORE purchasing the ASUS P4T533-C until the RDRAM problem gets "ironed out".

Good luck to you.....

 

[Fisher999]

Addendum to last post:

I just went to Asus's site and now, only a couple of days after seeing the remark about the 35ns Samsung PC-1066 RDRAM on the specification page for the board I now see that the remark is GONE but there is a NEW remark concerning NEC 45ns PC-800 which reads:

"Note: * NEC 800-45 series RIMMS will not function if the 533MHz CPU FSB is being used."

I don't know why ANYONE would try to use 45ns RDRAM while operating the board at 533MHz FSB, 400MHz yes, but this new notation seems like common sense; unless it is ONLY NEC 45ns RDRAM to which they are referring.

Methinks I will wait until MORE RDRAM compatiblity information is available concerning this board or go with the P4B533-E (if I can find a reputable vendor who has it in stock) and some DDR266 instead of the i-850E/RDRAM path.

Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Big Lar]

Just to update what I posted before, I AM NOT having ANY problems with the Mushkin PC1066 32n's with my board, perhaps there are diff revisions of the board that work. I have rev.1.03, what rev. board is the problems happening with?