WTF is going on?

[dornick]

I've been having some trouble with memory on my mobo lately. Mainly, if I run it at stock speeds programs crash.

So I restart the computer to make yet another BIOS adjustment, hit the delete key, and the only thing that shows up is a black screen with a grayish block in the lower 20%. Apparantly the BIOS is loading though because I can hit F10 (save & exit) and then Enter for the confirmation and it reboots. If I don't hit Delete, everything works great, Windows boots up, etc... So the what the hell is going on? Is my motherboard fvcked?

FYI, I have a DFI Lanparty Ultra-d and using this memory

 

[xtknight]

Maybe a video issue?

 

[dornick]

I can't see how that's possible. First of all, this rig worked perfectly for quite some time before it happened, including several trips to the BIOS. Second, the ONLY problem I have seen with the video is upon loading that screen.

 

[wpshooter]

Originally posted by: dornick
I can't see how that's possible. First of all, this rig worked perfectly for quite some time before it happened, including several trips to the BIOS. Second, the ONLY problem I have seen with the video is upon loading that screen.

When you say several trips to the BIOS, do you mean you went into setup or did you actually update/flash the BIOS ?

Have you considered updating the BIOS and/or resetting the CMOS with the motherboard jumper and then updating the BIOS to the latest version ?

 

[Saga]

Hold insert on boot.

 

[Fern]

Clear the CMOS and start again (try upping vdimm in BIOS)

 

[dornick]

will the problem still be there after I clear the CMOS? Because the computer crashes frequently on default settings and if I can't change it...

By several trips, I meant just going in and changing stuff. I haven't flashed it yet.

 

[dornick]

does anybody know?

 

[dornick]

*sigh*

 

[piotrgurin]

clear cmos and update bios

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: dornick
does anybody know?

Clear the CMOS, from the description you give, you will be able to get back into BIOS. Albeit with unstable ram.

Your ram is rated DDR400 @ 2.6v with timmings of 2-3-3-6. Try upping the vdimm to 2.7 or 2.8.

Could also back off the timmings to 2.5-3-3-6. Unless the ram is totally f'd up (or you have other problems) that should give you stability and allow you to work on the problem(s).

It is often recommended to make only 1 change in the BIOS at a time. That way you can isloate and clearly see the effect of that 1 change. I mention this because it sounds like some change you are making is screwing up the video.

Fern

 

[dornick]

Ok, I cleared the CMOS and did get the BIOS back. The RAM is still really unstable, even more so I think. I'm currently running it on a 1:2 divider at 3-3-3-8 timings. I guess I will flash the BIOS now. Which one should I use?

 

[JEDIYoda]

I would use the new Saphire budget bios upgrade!!!
It lets ya make cappuccino with your CPU!!

 

[joex444]

why doesn't DFI's site even list a Lanparty Ultra-D? http://www.dfi.com.tw/Product/product_s..._TYPE0B=LP&CATEGORY_NAME0B=%25&SITE=NA
You did run memtest86 on it, for a few hours or so, right?

BTW, I have that same OCZ RAM (actually, Rev 2, but whatever). It's rated 2-3-3-6@400. On my nForce2, I would get memory issues (like crashing on video encode) at 2-3-3-6@400MHz and would fail memtest86. I changed it to 2.5-3-3-6@400MHz and it's worked fine, I can run memtest86 all night it won't come up with an error. Although at 1:2 divider, you're essentially using PC1600 RAM, which shouldn't present any problems. Did you try removing a DIMM to see if it works with just 1? I also had to send back a DIMM -- it didn't work in Dual Channel.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Some people ought not be allowed alone with a computer!

 

[dornick]

ya, I ran memtest for a night and got nothing. That and the fact that my previous memory (OCZ Value VX) had issues leads me to believe my motherboard has a problem. I have not tried running with a single DIMM but I have a feeling it would work since my previous memory did work with one stick only. I'll try that next.

And, FTR, the Ultra-D is in the Lanparty UT series on DFI's site.

JEDIYoda, I hope you aren't trying to imply I don't know what I'm doing