DDR2 RAM at 1066MHz (EPP Enabled), System becomes unstable.

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enayet_redeemer

enayet_redeemer

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Hi,

Below is my system configuration:
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 940
Mainboard: MSI DKA790GX Platinum (AM2+)
RAM: Transcend aXe DDR2 1066, 2x2GB modules.
Graphics Card: XFX Radeon HD4850, 512 MB DDR3.
HDD: 1TB, 250GB Samsung SATAII Drives.
OS: Windows XP Pro 32-bit SP2.

I am getting Blue Screen of Death frequently after some days of RAM purchase. I received memory `Memory Management` Blue screen and several others. My computer takes reboot in the middle of games, programs and when Windows comes up it generates message `The system has recovered from a serious error`. The system also got slowed.

Tried the followings:
1. Reinstalled OS, Games.
2. Repaired Graphics card, TV card driver.
3. I ran "Windows Memory Diagnostic" to know the health of RAM modules.

In the BIOS System Information:

AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 940 Processor
CPUID/Microcode 100F42/086
CPU Frequency 3.0GHz (200x15)
BIOS Version V1.7 03312009
Physical Memory 6657MB [Note: Physical memory showing as approx 6.5GB]
Cache Size 2048KB
L3 Cache Size 6144KB

BIOS Cell Menu -> Advanced DRAM Configuration

EPP Technology Support [Enabled]
EPP support should be enabled in order to make the memories work at 1066MHz.

WMD test results:

Test Status:

Pass Test Cache
1 MATS+ On Succeeded
1 INVC On Succeeded
1 LRAND On Failed
1 Stride6 On Failed
1 WMATS+ On Succeeded
1 WINVC On Succeeded

System Memory Map
------------------------------------------------------
[00001000 - 00020000]
[00030000 - 0009fc00]
[00100000 - 00400000]
[004de000 - cff9e000]

Following errors were found:

Results Pass Test Cache Address Expected Actual
1 1 LRAND On 3057ae44 4b06dba8 4b06db88
2 1 LRAND On 74066644 121fc379 131fc379
3 1 LRAND On 39afe644 dede7f52 dede7f72
4 1 LRAND On 315e1f44 b4c65cc6 b4c65cc7
5 1 Stride6 On A71f381c 00000000 00000020
6 1 Stride6 On 0777884c 00000000 01000000
7 1 Stride6 On 12264a4c 00000000 04000000
8 1 Stride6 On 0c739004 ffffffff ffffffdf
9 1 Stride6 On 121f2a04 ffffffff feffffff
10 1 Stride6 On 4cb6a004 ffffffff feffffff
11 1 Stride6 On 353b8a44 ffffffff ffffffbf
12 1 Stride6 On 8c961204 ffffffff dfffffff
13 1 Stride6 On A4163a1c ffffffff feffffff

I have seen the error report on per memory module basis in WDM and found errors on both modules.

Note: EPP is disabled, RAMs work in 800MHz. WMD checks run without reporting any error. Ran for 6 pass cycles and got no error report.

[RAMs are in unganged mode. ]

System runs without any error when at 800MHz (EPP disabled). When EPP is enabled RAM voltage is at 2.0V which is normal.

What might be the cause of the issue?? And what might be the resolution?



 
Solution
MaDMagik
I would manually up the ram voltage a little bit(up to lets say 2.1v) to see if it helps, if it doesnt i would probably RMA the ram.
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enayet_redeemer

enayet_redeemer

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It seems that the tables are not with the proper spacing to understand the readings though I apllied duirng writting to the post. To see the table with proper spacing just click on add a reply to enayet_redeemer link just at the bottom right of my post.

Thanks.
 
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rand_79

rand_79

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turn off EPP its not needed manually set the ram timings..

dont use their generic may work epp crap.

also how are you getting the memory to run at 1066 what are you changing in bios.


are all 4 memory chips the same?
 
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enayet_redeemer

enayet_redeemer

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I have adjusted the RAM voltage to 2.1V by AMD Overdrive. Lets see what happens to the system in a day or two. Thanks for your suggestion.
 
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enayet_redeemer

enayet_redeemer

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I have a total of 4GBs of RAM (2x2GB) installed in my system. But the BIOS shows almost 6.5GB RAM in the System Information. I don't know what really is the cause of that. I have asked Transcend for that, waiting for their response.
 
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Mongox

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It's interesting, because you ran this diagnostic from a DOS boot diskette? Shouldn't show anything you don't really have, such as harddrive space allocated as RAM thru a swap file, etc...

I downloaded it and am going to try it.
 
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enayet_redeemer

enayet_redeemer

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I am getting the memory to run at 1066MHz by setting EPP Technology Support to "Enabled" in the BIOS. If it "Disabled" then the RAMs work at 800MHz.

2 Memory modules are installed and I bought those in the same 4GB package (2x2GB in a single Box.).

I have increased the memory voltage from 2.0 to 2.1. Lets see if the system becomes stable or not. If not then I will go for manual time setting.
 
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Mongox

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OK, the info you're getting showing over 6GBs of RAM you list as "In the BIOS System Information: " must include the Virtual RAM - clearly it's not from MS's memory tester.

I would set all memory items in your BIOS to Auto - let it run as 800 for now to test it. Good starting point is to load the Optimized Defaults for BIOS if you have that choice. Clear any settings which are overclocking, etc...

Test it that way and then try getting it to run up to speed and changing timings.
 
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enayet_redeemer

enayet_redeemer

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Hi,

Thanks for your time for testing in your own system and reply back to me. :)

It was in the BIOS "System Information" in which total amount of memory showing as 6.5GB not in the WMD. I have written to MSI Technical Support and they suggested updating the BIOS to the latest version. Lets see what happens after the update.

If RAM timing is set to 800MHz then the system runs without any issue. I have tested that several times. But when the timing is set to 1066 then problem starts.
 
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Mongox

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I do not see how the BIOS can show Virtual memory/RAM - which is hard drive space used to simulate RAM. Only a Windows utility will show it. But I also don't know of a BIOS function which would give the info you show - or how such info could be sent to a printer or file to duplicate it here....
 
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SpidersWeb

SpidersWeb

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I'd flash my BIOS to the latest version to see if that resolves the 6.5 issue and maybe the 1066 issue. Failing that I'd RMA the RAM.

You should be able to put the RAM in, select EPP, and be away laughing on stock settings (e.g. no overclocked CPU). Any less and their product did not meet the advertised performance, so should be returned.

If you've overclocked your FSB to 400 and relying on the motherboard to clock the RAM at 533 then this could be your issue - it certainly is on my cheap Asrock board (once you hit 400Mhz, its 1:1 or crash heaven).

If you're not o/cing then try the RAM in someone elses PC if you can, it's good to try that before doing an RMA (if it's necessary).
 
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Mongox

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Make sure if you update the BIOS: 1)backup current BIOS first. 2)don't use Windows utility, update from BIOS or floppy routine only. 3)triple check to make sure you have right/compatible BIOS update.
 
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enayet_redeemer

enayet_redeemer

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I have updated the BIOS from 1.7 to 1.96. Enabled EPP. RAM is at 1066MHz. Also updated my OS to Service Pack 3. After the updates I got the following BSoDs:

BAD_POOL_CALLER (The cause I found is: After SP upgrade it sometimes shows)
DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (One of the main reason is after upgrading SP)
PFN_LIST_CORRUPT (Might be hardware problem, not sure)

But these days I not getting any BSoD. Hope BIOS upgarde has resolved the issue.

 
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enayet_redeemer

enayet_redeemer

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I am still getting BSoD (PFN_LIST_CORRUPT, DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL) when running at 1066MHz though very rare. I wrote MSI regarding the issue and they want to simulate by building system like mine (e.g: Installing Transcend RAM, Processor, Mainboard etc.). Lets see what happens???
 
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UchihaItachi

UchihaItachi

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I also had the Kingston Hyper-X RAM running DDR2 1066MHz. When I set in BIOS to 1066MHz settings, the program PC Alert appears shows the problem of the voltage in red negative. -0.067V.
I changed my PSU from 450W to 700W, still had the same problem.
At 1st, I thought the problem is with the program, that's what my senior technician said. So, he asked me to try PC Wizard 2008. After benchmarking, they only said I was running at 800MHz instead of 1066MHz. I am currently using W7 Ulti X86 RTM.
May I know how can I run at 1066MHz correctly?? I am currently running 4x 2GB Hyper-X DDR2 1066MHz Ram.
 
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enayet_redeemer

enayet_redeemer

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I have gone through the datasheet of Hyper-X and it seems that you have to enable EPP Technology Support from your mainboard BIOS. Download CPU-Z and run it, under the SPD tab you'll see "Timings Table". If your RAM supports EPP then you'll find "EPP#1" and frequency 533MHz (DDR2- 2x533=1066MHz). To check if your RAM is running at 1066MHz timing click on Memory tab of CPU-Z and you'll find DRAM Frequency@533MHz. If your RAM is running@800MHz then DRAM Frequency will be 400MHz.

As you have the same mainboard (MS-7550) to enable EPP support do the following: Start your system-->Continue to Press F2 when the BIOS info appears--> Open Cell Menu in the CMOS Setup Utility-->Check whether anything like "EPP technology Support" is available (It could be in Memory-Z or DRAM configuration if the BIOS is old)--> Change the status of "EPP technology Support" to [Enabled]. It will make your RAM work at 1066MHz.

To check the voltage of RAM it would be better to install AMD Overdrive Utility (Latest one). Install it and check your RAM voltage (2.2V is required to work@1066MHz as per the datasheet). Run AMD Overdrive click on the "Performance Control" tab and see the value of "Memory VDDQ". If the voltage is not@2.2V then you can increase memory voltage by dragging up the slide of "Memory VDDQ" to 2.2V. Save the settings and see the output of CPU-Z.

Hope it helps.



 
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UchihaItachi

UchihaItachi

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i can't find EPP at all....even at BIOS setup, DRAM config or memory-Z.
But at the top of the memory-Z page, they already told me i am running at 1066MHz. cause I set the timing to 12-x-x something...maximum....
but in windows, only shows i run at DDR2 800MHz....i am confusing at this...
 
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enayet_redeemer

enayet_redeemer

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Did you run CPU-Z? Please inform me about the output you get as I mentioned in the previous post.

Also I have seen a review of Hyper-X memory where CPU-Z shows 400MHz (800MHz effective) timing of the memory.
http://www.techwarelabs.com/reviews/memory/kingston-ddr2-1066/

 
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enayet_redeemer

enayet_redeemer

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Could you please send the window of memory tab in CPU-Z?

And from the text information it seems that your memory is correctly running@1066MHz (2*533MHz). So why bother??
 
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UchihaItachi

UchihaItachi

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photo_view.html

is this enough?
 
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