Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (
More info?)
nospam@needed.com (Paul) wrote in message news:<nospam-1206042019470001@192.168.1.177>...
> In article <fafcc419.0406121042.f70c832@posting.google.com>, angel@xev.net
> (Ken) wrote:
>
> > I have an Asus P4R800-V Deluxe mobo with 512MB Crucial DDR400 (model
> > CT6464Z40B) RAM. I use the on-board video, sound, and lan. The
> > processor is a Pentium 4 2.4A GHz 533MHz FSB, Prescott Core, 1MB L2
> > Cache.
> >
> > More than 50% of the time on boot-up the system will freeze at the
> > BIOS logo screen. If I press TAB to get out of the screen it will show
> > that it has froze right after the POST memory test. I think that there
> > is a problem with me RAM.
> >
> > In the BIOS it shows that it gave my RAM these settings:
> > CAS: 3
> > TRCD: 4
> > TRP: 4
> > TRAS: 8
> >
> > Do those settings look correct?
> >
> > Does anyone have any other ideas as to what the problem could be?
> >
> > Thanks!,
> > Ken
>
> The problem could be, that the memory speed and the processor
> FSB are mismatched. Now, a properly designed chipset should handle
> a wide range of combinations, but it is a tough thing to design for.
> The Nforce2, for example, has a bug in it, that is triggered by
> running memory and CPU bus at different clock rates, so it is
> a possibility.
>
> Your processor is FSB533. This is a basic clock of 133MHz*4,
> as four chunks of data are passed per clock cycle. To match this,
> two channels of memory, running at 133MHz*2 (DDR is two chunks
> of data per clock) is a perfect fit. If you have set the memory
> to some "Auto" mode or "By SPD" mode, then the BIOS will pick up
> on the fact that the memory is capable of DDR400 and try to set
> the memory to that speed. As I said, with well designed chips,
> any rate mismatch should work, but it doesn't always turn out
> that way.
>
> First of all, you need to get yourself a Windows utility. This
> will allow you to independently verify that the BIOS settings
> you are using, are actually working. Sometimes, when a BIOS is
> first released, the memory control code isn't finished, and
> the memory is fed fixed values. Using a Windows program allows
> you to snoop on what is really happening -
>
>
http://pcextreme.net/reviews/xms3700/cpuz-max3.jpg
>
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz
>
> Due to the fact your chipset is relatively new, not all
> utilities support the ATI chipset yet. You may have to
> "shop around", to find one that is updated. The former
> AIDA32 (now Everest and still free) might also work:
>
>
http://www.lavalys.com/index.php?page=product&view=1&subpage=3
>
> When the BIOS displays 3-4-4-8, those are "teaser" numbers, and
> those particular numbers are the most relaxed numbers possible.
> Those numbers are typically used for PC4000 overclocker memory,
> to make the memory work.
>
> Your Crucial memory is manufactured by Micron, as Micron owns
> Crucial and Crucial is the retail arm. While Crucial might tell
> you the memory is CAS3, Micron's datasheets give all the specs.
> If you look at the DIMM, you might see both a Crucial and a
> Micron sticky label. You can use the Micron label to look up the
> datasheet. Here is a sample sheet for memory with -40B in the
> part number - this is DDR400 5ns memory, and the datasheet says
> it is 3-3-3 memory. With some luck, you might find the CPUZ
> display reflecting those numbers, if the BIOS has used DDR400.
>
>
http://download.micron.com/pdf/datasheets/modules/ddr/DDA16C32_64_128x64AG.pdf
>
> The 3-3-3 numbers, when converted to time, is 3*5ns, where the 5
> nanoseconds comes from inverting the clock rate of 200MHz. If
> you set the memory to DDR266, instead of DDR400, you can improve
> the numbers on the memory. DDR266 is 133MHz, or 7.5ns. At DDR266,
> your memory can be run at 2-2-2. (The CAS number is fractional,
> as in 1.5, 2, 2.5, while the other two numbers are integers, and
> in this case, the product of the number times the clock period
> must be greater than or equal to that 15ns number.)
>
> I know all of this is confusing, so to start, change the memory
> clock to DDR266, and see if it settles down. If the motherboard
> has a Vdimm adjustment, it should be set to 2.6V for PC3200
> memory, as PC3200 uses 2.6V while lesser memories use 2.5V.
> Anything up to 2.75 or 2.8 volts or so is reasonable.
>
> As for your choice of processors, I think you should have spent
> a few more bucks and avoided the Prescotts as well. Prescotts
> are power hogs, and will heat your room up.
>
> A 2.4A 533 1MB Prescott is $124 at Newegg and uses 89Watts
>
> A 2.4B 533 512KB Northwood is $148 at Newegg and uses 59.8Watts.
>
> A 2.4C 800 512KB Northwood is $169 at Newegg and uses 66.2Watts
> (supports hyperthreading if you have an OS that can use it -
> disabling HT reduces the power closer to the level of the 2.4B)
>
> The 2.4C will nicely match two DDR400 rams and allow you to
> run them synchronously and get your money's worth from the ram.
> You could try overclocking the other processors, because
> especially in the case of the Prescott, there is no reason to
> expect it won't do FSB800 (but, of course, the Prescott will
> give you a collossal cooling problem). The FSB533 Northwood
> might make it to FSB640, but I'm not sure whether a recent
> stepping has the ability to make it all the way to FSB800 or
> not. (http://www.cpudatabase.com/CPUdb shows FSB710 is possible
> with air cooling and reasonable voltages - higher needs exotic
> cooling.)
>
> Tell us how it works out. I see the ATI chipset is being used
> in a lot of small systems, and for all these companies to use
> the chipset, it must be demonstrated to work for them.
>
> BTW - if you get stuck after adjusting memory timing, if you
> see any messages about corrupted BIOS and the like, DON'T
> listen to the prompts that suggest reflashing the BIOS. The
> BIOS is not really corrupted. The Asus overclocking recovery
> code doesn't work worth a damn, and all you really need to do
> to escape from messed up settings, is the "clear CMOS" procedure
> listed in the manual. Always remember to unplug the computer
> before doing it, and wait 30 seconds for the ATX power supply
> to discharge, before moving the CMOS jumper. Failure to do so,
> will damage a tiny dual diode on the motherboard.
>
> HTH,
> Paul
OK, I flashed the BIOS to the most recent version and set the RAM to
run at 266 in the BIOS. I'm still having the problem though. There
seems to be no rhyme or reason to it. Sometimes it boots fine,
somtimes it stops right after the POST memory test. It's not every
other time, it's just seems random.
There is a rather important thing that I am not sure about though, and
that is the correct setting for the the clear CMOS jumper. In the
manual is shows that pins 2 and 3 are normal. However, it also came
with a mobo diagram that says pins 1 and 2 are normal. I currently
have it set to what the manual says. It actually boots up in either
setting which is strange. I'm afraid I'm going to mess something up if
it's wrong.
BTW, thanks for the info about the RAM settings Paul, if was very
helpful and informative.
Ken
Please send the problem to
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram