Memtest86+ freezes at start of test

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chunakis

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Mar 17, 2014
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Hello all,

I am trying to upgrade the family computer from 2 GB 1333Mhz to 2 sticks of 4 GB 1333Mhz each, and have been experiencing the BSOD with the new sticks of ram. I attempted to test the new sticks with Memtest86+ V5.01 using either a USB memory stick or CD. When testing one stick (either one) in slot 0, memtest freezes after 1 second. The time and progress stops, but the + sign in Memtest86+ keeps blinking. The results are consistent everytime I run the test with both sticks.

I attempted to run Memtest on the old stick of ram and was able to reach 50% on the first pass with no errors (I ended the test early), so I believe the problem lies with the new ram or its compatibility with the motherboard. I thought I made a correct match with the ram for the pc, but I am relatively new to all of this.

Some possible solutions I found on various forums:
1) BIOS firmware is updated.
2) Tried changing voltage or speed in the bios. I looked through the CMOS Setup Utility and was not able to find a way to change voltage or speed for ram.
3) I also tried to restore the CMOS Setup Utility to the default settings which did not work.
4) Another option was to turn off Legacy USB Support which also did not work.

Here are some specs of what I know.

PC: Acer Aspire M3910
Motherboard: H57H-AM2
Old Ram Part #: ACR256X64D3U13C9G

New Ram Part #: KHX1333C9D3B1K2/8G

Thoughts anyone? Any help is appreciated. Thanks for reading.
 
Solution
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I suspect your RAM modules should not be running at 1T. That could be what is causing the system to freeze. There may be little you can do about that. If your BIOS does not detect and run your modules at the correct Command Rate, you might be forced to find more expensive modules that can tolerate the tighter 1T timings your system is running at.
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bigpinkdragon286

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If you don't know the correct timings for the RAM modules, but can at least boot into Windows, you can use a utility such as CPU-Z to read the SPD of the memory modules which will tell you the timings in a chart, based on the frequency the RAM is run at. The memory module timing information will be found on the SPD tab in CPU-Z.

CPU-Z: http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

Unfortunately, if you have no way in BIOS to manually enter the timing values for your new RAM modules, you may be out of luck with making the system run it correctly, unless the modules are simply defective.

Sometimes adding a slight voltage increase can help, but it shouldn't be necessary with newer modules. You might also try turning down the base speed of the RAM, which would allow for greater tolerances in the RAM modules' timings. For 1333 MHz RAM modules, the base speed should be set at 667 or thereabouts, in BIOS. You should consider setting it lower, for troubleshooting purposes.

Another option, if you have more than two RAM module sockets but are only using two modules, try the RAM modules in different sockets. Some motherboards require RAM to be installed in specific sockets, when not all sockets are being populated. Also, it's worth trying a single RAM module at a time. This can help you determine if one of the RAM modules is defective. If you can complete the memory test with a single module, next swap the second module for the first, run the test again, and see if your results are the same or if the test freezes again. You'll likely be able to determine which one is failing, if that's the case.
 
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chunakis

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Mar 17, 2014
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I went ahead and took a look at the current module timing information for the old ram. I believe the current timing for the old ram is 9-9-9-24. The SPD tab had multiple sets of timings for other frequencies as you said. My concern, however, is that I do not see a way to change the timings nor the voltage in the BIOS. Here's the PC's manual if you would like to check:
http://acersupport.com/acerpanam/Manuals/acer/2010/ServiceGuides/SG_Aspire_M3910_Book_03272010.pdf

I also tried testing one module at a time in each of the 4 module sockets. Same results everytime: Memtest froze after 1 second of testing.

It would seem that my motherboard is preventing me from making any progress. Are there any other possible solutions?
 
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bigpinkdragon286

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Well, on rare occasion you may be able to find what is known as an unlocked BIOS for your motherboard. Personally, I very much dislike the silliness that is manufacturers taking a perfectly fine BIOS and locking the owner out of most of the settings. If you flashed an unlocked BIOS, there is a possibility you would gain back some of the settings Acer has hidden from you.

Other than that, it may be a simpler solution to return the non-functioning modules and purchase RAM modules with the same timings as what came out. If that's what the system is set at, you might do alright.

One thing you can check, is whether or not the timings are changing to match the modules installed at all. Next to the SPD tab is the Memory tab which will show the timings your memory is being run at. I've noticed from time to time that lower end motherboards set the Command Rate at 1T, even when the modules are clearly rated for 2T, which will cause freeze ups quite often. Sometimes even changing the settings in BIOS have no effect, as some programmer sitting in a factory, probably underpaid, overworked, and unappreciated, put the wrong values in.
 
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bigpinkdragon286

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According to your manual, RAM modules of 1, 2, or 4 GB are fully supported, so long as they are DDR3 1.5V. It specifically says, "You can install memory modules in any combination as long as they match the above specifications." So, clearly you have memory that matches the specification unless the memory kit you purchased calls for more than 1.5 volts or is unstable at that voltage? Other than that, the manual doesn't give any additional information that may be useful here. They only list what parts may have come with the system, which doesn't even include any 4 GB modules.
 
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chunakis

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Mar 17, 2014
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If I am reading the data sheet for my new RAM modules correctly, the new modules should be able to run on my PC without me having to change the timings or the voltage. Would that mean that my RAM modules are bad? Could there be another reason why it isn't working? Either way, it seems that I should return the modules and purchase new RAM modules that specify the timings 9-9-9-24. Please let me know if that is correct. Thank you so much for your help, bigpinkdragon286.

New Ram's timings: 9-9-9
New Ram's voltage: 1.5V
PC's current timings (taken from the memory tab): 9-9-9-24 1T
PC's current voltage: 1.5V

Data sheet for new ram: Data Sheet
 
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bigpinkdragon286

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Oct 3, 2012
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I suspect your RAM modules should not be running at 1T. That could be what is causing the system to freeze. There may be little you can do about that. If your BIOS does not detect and run your modules at the correct Command Rate, you might be forced to find more expensive modules that can tolerate the tighter 1T timings your system is running at.
 
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