Tom's Hardware > Forum > Motherboards & Memory > Memory > Defective RAM?
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Shinjiru   08-21-2003 at 01:29:30 AM

I have recently set up my new system. I've had many issues all summer, (been through a couple motherboards because of a weird smiley-face artifact thing when trying to save to CMOS) but now it's down to my RAM, I hope. First, here are my basic system specs:

AMD Athlon XP 2800+
Chaintech Zenith 7NJS motherboard (BIOS version 7.0)
GeIL PC3200 Dual Channel RAM (2x256)
Windows XP Pro SP1, etc.

Problem; after I install the RAM in a dual channel setup, windows will not load. At the moment, I have both modules in the first 2 slots and Windows loads fine. However, no matter where I put the RAM, during the POST it only reads at 200mhz. I don't know if I have bad RAM (because one module is mysteriously missing the red light), my BIOS isn't operating dual channel correctly, or I'm doing something wrong. If anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated ^_^

Thanks in advance

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Prof133   08-21-2003 at 01:42:00 AM
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- For Dual-Channel put one memory module in the memory slot that appears to stand alone and the other memory module in either of the two remaining slots.

- Check to make sure that the "Memory Frequency" setting in the BIOS is set to 100 percent.

<b><font color=blue>Oh, I can shed light on that ...</font color=blue></b>

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Shinjiru   08-21-2003 at 02:31:56 AM
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I do so, and Windows crashes after a time. :/ Any other ideas?

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Prof133   08-21-2003 at 03:00:18 AM
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- Try increasing the memory timings: T(RAS), T(RCD), T(RP) and CAS Latency.

- Also try increasing "DIMM Voltage Regulator." Not too high though - up to about 2.9V.

<b><font color=blue>Oh, I can shed light on that ...</font color=blue></b>

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Crashman   08-21-2003 at 05:19:38 AM
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Hmm, it should be running at 200MHz, that's the clock rate PC3200 runs at.

Have you tried each module single in the first slot to determine if one is bad?

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

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Shinjiru   08-21-2003 at 10:21:36 PM
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Yup. I've tried both modules singularly, and both run fine; but in Dual Channel slots, POST still only reads at 200mhz, and Windows doesn't load. May it be something my bios or motherboard has wrong?
BTW, even if I get Dual Channel working at the doubled rate of 400mhz, what performance difference would there be? Should I just try to tweak the timings? Thanks again for your help guys!

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jp5   08-21-2003 at 11:49:08 PM
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Sure, make sure dual channel is enabled. If there is some LED that indicates dual channel (you mentioned above) then it doesn't sound like it is on or at least not working. Worst case, you RMA your MB or just stick with single channel.

I don't care for Chaintech or GeiL.

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Shinjiru   08-22-2003 at 01:29:28 AM
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:( I sent enough RMA this summer... POST states that Dual Channel is enabled, but windows always fails to load; or crashes after a short time.
So, again, what performance am I missing out on?

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Shinjiru   08-22-2003 at 10:29:29 PM
- 0 +

Ok... I was told that some nForce2 chipsets have compatabilty issues with some PC3200 RAM. Is this true? Anyone else experienced such a thing?
Thank you!

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