Hello guys:
Since the day I booted my XFX X58i Mobo I have had problems making it post with more than 1 (2gb) dimm of tripple channel PC1333 (10600) Corsair XMS Memory. Here is what I've done in chronological order, just to try and see if any of you are kind enough to help some of the people with this same problem who have posted here:
System:
Proc : Intel Core I7 920 2.66ghz.
Memory : 3 x 2gb dimms (PC 1333) Corsair XMS.
HD : Seagate Barracuda.
Video Card : Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 (896 mb) PCI-E.
PSU : Agiler 750W ATX Power Supply.
_______________________________________
Log:
1 - Assembled PC, Installed all components, installed 3 x 2gb dimms on GREEN slots, as stated in mobo documentation.
Result: Would not boot, stuck at code 88 on onboard LED.
2- Removed 3 x 2gb dimms and installed 3 x 2gb dimms on BLACK slots.
Result: Computer booted, posted, went into BIOS to set date / time; exited BIOS, reset, computer would not post again, stuck at step D4 on onboard LED.
3- Reset CMOS, reset BIOS, attempted boot.
Result: No post or boot.
4- Checked cables, connections, etc.
Result: No post or boot.
5- Removed 1 x 2gb dimm, set the other two on black slots, in dimm slots 2 and 4.
Result: Computer posted and booted, went into BIOS to set date / time; exited BIOS, reset, computer would not post again, stuck at step D4 on onboard LED.
6- Reset CMOS, reset BIOS, attempted boot.
Result: No post or boot.
7- Removed another 2gb dimm, leaving the system with 1 x 2gb dimm on the #2 slot.
Result: Computer posted and booted, went into BIOS, set date / time, reset, installed Windows XP Pro SP3 (I hate Vista), installed drivers, antivirus, software for video card, etc.
8 - Tried looking for an upgrade to BIOS but could not find one on the official XFX site, read mentions of an upgrade on OC forums.
9 - Read guide to OC Intel Core I7 920, and attempted a slight increase on QPI speed through BIOS, took it from 133 to 140.
Result: Computer would not post or boot.
10- Read about setting manual memory voltage, looked up the corsair memory voltage needs, set it like so in BIOS (1.5v) and attempted to boot with 3 and 2 dimms installed.
Result: Computer would not post or boot.
11 - Reset CMOS, BIOS, reset date / time.
Result: Computer Working with 2gb of ram and very stable.
12- Tried each of the memory sticks individually to scratch off bad ram, and they all worked on their own.
_________________________________________
Now the problem seems to be that any measure of memory beyond 2gb hangs the post sequence at D4, which is a check of the 540kb of memory or something like that. I have not been able to boot with more than 1 dimm installed. The OC attempt was to see how much of a slight change the mobo would stably allow, which is NONE.
What really vexes me is the fact that the board booted with 6gb installed once, and then with 4gb too, so the randomness leads me to believe im facing a SOFTWARE problem on the BIOS end. Also, finding any sort of information online is a great hassle, and the documents available at XFX are mediocre at best. The Support Tickets posted at their site take long to be addressed.
To be honest, I dont see how much of a problem it can be to address this issue, but if XFX does not address it soon I see a lot of Returns going their way, and possibly a future Class Action Suit because of misleading specifications regarding this product, which is stated to support up to 12gb of RAM. Its sad that those of us who went out on a limb to purchase this cutting edge technology will not get to fully enjoy it but by the time the prices for it have gone down.
I bed anyone out there who has found a solution to this to post it here, it is killing my office designer to be without a computer, and business is losing money to it. (I live in Venezuela, purchased the card in Miami and took it back with me, so returning it, for me, is a great hassle).
Thank you and hope this helps anyone who is experiencing this problem too.
E.
P.S: The board doesnt allow any tweaking to OC, at least in the attempts I've done. Any tips regarding a safe way to OC it to around 3ghz will be greatly appreciated. (Like, step by tep ways of doing it, im not very knowledgeable on OC'ing).
Since the day I booted my XFX X58i Mobo I have had problems making it post with more than 1 (2gb) dimm of tripple channel PC1333 (10600) Corsair XMS Memory. Here is what I've done in chronological order, just to try and see if any of you are kind enough to help some of the people with this same problem who have posted here:
System:
Proc : Intel Core I7 920 2.66ghz.
Memory : 3 x 2gb dimms (PC 1333) Corsair XMS.
HD : Seagate Barracuda.
Video Card : Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 (896 mb) PCI-E.
PSU : Agiler 750W ATX Power Supply.
_______________________________________
Log:
1 - Assembled PC, Installed all components, installed 3 x 2gb dimms on GREEN slots, as stated in mobo documentation.
Result: Would not boot, stuck at code 88 on onboard LED.
2- Removed 3 x 2gb dimms and installed 3 x 2gb dimms on BLACK slots.
Result: Computer booted, posted, went into BIOS to set date / time; exited BIOS, reset, computer would not post again, stuck at step D4 on onboard LED.
3- Reset CMOS, reset BIOS, attempted boot.
Result: No post or boot.
4- Checked cables, connections, etc.
Result: No post or boot.
5- Removed 1 x 2gb dimm, set the other two on black slots, in dimm slots 2 and 4.
Result: Computer posted and booted, went into BIOS to set date / time; exited BIOS, reset, computer would not post again, stuck at step D4 on onboard LED.
6- Reset CMOS, reset BIOS, attempted boot.
Result: No post or boot.
7- Removed another 2gb dimm, leaving the system with 1 x 2gb dimm on the #2 slot.
Result: Computer posted and booted, went into BIOS, set date / time, reset, installed Windows XP Pro SP3 (I hate Vista), installed drivers, antivirus, software for video card, etc.
8 - Tried looking for an upgrade to BIOS but could not find one on the official XFX site, read mentions of an upgrade on OC forums.
9 - Read guide to OC Intel Core I7 920, and attempted a slight increase on QPI speed through BIOS, took it from 133 to 140.
Result: Computer would not post or boot.
10- Read about setting manual memory voltage, looked up the corsair memory voltage needs, set it like so in BIOS (1.5v) and attempted to boot with 3 and 2 dimms installed.
Result: Computer would not post or boot.
11 - Reset CMOS, BIOS, reset date / time.
Result: Computer Working with 2gb of ram and very stable.
12- Tried each of the memory sticks individually to scratch off bad ram, and they all worked on their own.
_________________________________________
Now the problem seems to be that any measure of memory beyond 2gb hangs the post sequence at D4, which is a check of the 540kb of memory or something like that. I have not been able to boot with more than 1 dimm installed. The OC attempt was to see how much of a slight change the mobo would stably allow, which is NONE.
What really vexes me is the fact that the board booted with 6gb installed once, and then with 4gb too, so the randomness leads me to believe im facing a SOFTWARE problem on the BIOS end. Also, finding any sort of information online is a great hassle, and the documents available at XFX are mediocre at best. The Support Tickets posted at their site take long to be addressed.
To be honest, I dont see how much of a problem it can be to address this issue, but if XFX does not address it soon I see a lot of Returns going their way, and possibly a future Class Action Suit because of misleading specifications regarding this product, which is stated to support up to 12gb of RAM. Its sad that those of us who went out on a limb to purchase this cutting edge technology will not get to fully enjoy it but by the time the prices for it have gone down.
I bed anyone out there who has found a solution to this to post it here, it is killing my office designer to be without a computer, and business is losing money to it. (I live in Venezuela, purchased the card in Miami and took it back with me, so returning it, for me, is a great hassle).
Thank you and hope this helps anyone who is experiencing this problem too.
E.
P.S: The board doesnt allow any tweaking to OC, at least in the attempts I've done. Any tips regarding a safe way to OC it to around 3ghz will be greatly appreciated. (Like, step by tep ways of doing it, im not very knowledgeable on OC'ing).