Ram problems

[LA_MERC_Drax]

So i've been d!cking around with corsair back and forth on emails, and they keep asking me to do a ton of different things to make sure its the ram thats bad (i've ran memtest86 v3.3 on it, like 400 different errors per pass, the 2nd ram chip would even test). So i thought i would try to update my bios since the bios update said it offered more compatibility with memory modules. Well after running memtest again on my ram, i can't even get my computer to stay on on for longer than 1 min. I tried to flash the bios in that time, but it crashed mid flash, and that cause some headache, but i got it back to the orginal bios now, wondering what i need to do to flash it. I'm pretty sure the ram is the problem, just tryin to get corsair to replace it since its under warranty.

[LA_MERC_FragFood]

You've tried running only a single RAM module at a time, right? Not just the pair(s) of RAM? Any difference when you do that?

1. Have you reset the BIOS to all defaults and tried?

2. Will it stay running in the BIOS, as long as you don't try and load the OS?

3. What kind of error do you get when it bombs? A Windows BSOD? If so, what module is throwing the error?

4. If you set your BIOS for the "Extended memory test," does it pass that?

5. If you're overclocking, have you reverted to standard or underclocked settings?

[LA_MERC_Drax]

The computer won't stay running for more than 1 min, even if i make it go into bios. I've tried running single stick at a time, still same problem, wish i had some extra ram here to test it with, but i don't. I used to be able to run ok until i switched the memory timing settings to what they recommended, that really screwed things up.

[LA_MERC_th33_r00k]

Default the bios in bios.

[LA_MERC_LaTech]

I hear Viagra is good for fixing RAM problems...

[LA_MERC_T4rg3T]

Drax, have you tried running both sticks in a single configuration? Only 1 stick may be bad.

What type of ram do you need? What is your board compatible with? I may have some you can try.

Also, this is a note to everyone. If you do not plan and know how to overclock, you don't always need corsair ram. Most ram will fit your needs and you would never notice the difference between corsair and crucial, patriot or kingston.

Another thing is to always check the memory compatibility chart for your motherboard and use what they suggest.

[LA_MERC_FragFood]

The computer won't stay running for more than 1 min, even if i make it go into bios. I've tried running single stick at a time, still same problem, wish i had some extra ram here to test it with, but i don't. I used to be able to run ok until i switched the memory timing settings to what they recommended, that really screwed things up.

1. Yank ALL cards out of the motherboard, replace only the video card and one stick of RAM. No HDD, floppy, etc. Make sure that any secondary motherboard power connectors are connected.

2. Remove the CMOS battery (usually a CR2032 lithium button cell), and jumper the "Reset CMOS" pins on the board. Wait 30 seconds, the unjumper the pins and replace the battery

3. Boot and go to BIOS. Everything should be reset - check the date and make sure it's not today. If needed, repeat step 2 until it's right. See if it dies at that point.

4. If it fails step 3, power down and remove the RAM. Boot and see if it gives you the proper "Ain't got RAM" beep code (check your manual)

5. If it passes #4, replace the power supply if you have a spare. If you don't, check voltages on the various rails to see if they're in spec (give or take .3VDC)

6. If #5 checks out, it's likely to be EITHER the RAM or the motherboard, unless you've been overclocking dramatically. Go to Wallyworld or BB/CC and pick up a small stick of the proper RAM and retest. Check return priveleges...

7. Bury a chicken under a stump at midnight and... wait. That's for a bad HDD...

Good luck.

[LA_MERC_Drax]

Motherboard:
ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard

Ram:
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Ram Info:
CM2X1024-640c4
XMS6404v2.1
804501 07070219-15
804502 07070219-15

Thats the ram and mobo im running, i've tried running them alone, and im still crashing before 1 minute passes. It wasn't crashing like this before, just every once in awhile in windows i'd get the BSOD and crash. I mem tested one stick, it came back with tons of errors, and the other stick wouldn't even test. Just really confused on why its turning itself off so fast?

Frag, for resetting my bios, it told me to unplug ac power, take out cmos battery, and hold power button on for 2 to 3 minutes, it seemed to reset it, because the date and time went to jan 1 2006. I'm about to make a call to them to see what they got. If they keep throwing me curve balls, i'm gonna try to get a hold of you toby. If its not a big hassle, i could drive over and bring my system to your place.

[LA_MERC_Spark]

just an FYI I put a system together with that MOBO for my boss and had ALL kinds of problems. After BIOS update and several MEM test it turns out the the Corsair memory that IS listed on the ASUS website as being compatible just isn't. I purchased some kingston RAM and all problems are gone. I still have the corsair RAM.. it is model number CM2X1024-6400C4DHX.. ASUS swore it was a BIOS problem, and they sent me an updated chip which newegg kindly paid for. Still no worky. Got a whole new board... still no worky.. MEM tested fine but the rig would crash radomly, and sometimes wouldn't even boot.

[LA_MERC_DocSparky]

Sounds like you have plenty of advice, but I thought I'd throw in one tidbit I've found useful in the past. Some sticks of memory require a little more voltage to run properly in some boards. You may want to verify that the correct voltage is being used in bios. Typically you find these settings in the overclocking area as people will boost the memory voltage in order to higher OC speeds. Anyway, just something to try out. For my DDR2-800 sticks of mem, 1.8v wasn't enough. I boosted it to 2.1v and haven't had problems since then.

[LA_MERC_YellowDog]

Wow... another memory thread, boy I had some fun getting the 2 sticks for my old rig to work, but that was because my proccessor could not keep up with the ram by default.. 333 fsb chip, with 400 Mhz ram.

that was a lot of fun to figure out... BTW... it was corsair, but it wasn't their fault. I am using 2 x 2 of corsair 800 mhz in my new machine, works great... I think ram is just one of those things where its either going to right,,, and if its not its going to be REALLY wrong.

Just trying to be encouraging here... with no real useful advice.. :stick

[LA_MERC_Drax]

well crap that was fast, wish i woulda called instead of emailed. I talked with the guy for like 3 minutes and he shipping me new ram already. Guess ill find out in a few days if it was ram or not.

[LA_MERC_th33_r00k]

I use Kingston a lot and have few problems.

Mobo specs:
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/images/articles/11670109436Mt48LzqAn_1_3.gif

[LA_MERC_Shadow]

Just to let you know. I have an Asus board and had problems with my ram also. What asus lists on the website as compatible for my board was incorrect, especially for the timing and such. I talked to corsair and they helped me in the forums to put the right timing and such. Actually, I've figured out that my mobo is just a POS and won't run with 4gbs in it no matter what so watch was asus says.

[LA_MERC_Drax]

Finally gettin around to working on this rig more, corsair finally got the ram to me, plugged in their 2 new chips, no good. So i ordered to crucial chips that are compatible. No good, so i talk to asus, and they send me a new cmos chip. Now, the directions they send to replace it were crap, because the chip on my mobo, was sautered on. I got the old chip off, but I'm not sure how im gonna get the new chip on. Here's a few pics for Spark.


Old chip on left, new chip on right in first pic.

2nd pic, just to the right of the red cable is where the old chip was.

[LA_MERC_Spark]

This MOBO is just plain flaky. Remember I've told about the computer I made for the boss. Well it just came back in not booting. Won't even post. Thing was in service for less than 6 mos. This is the first time I've had problems with ASUS mobo's, but 4 out of 4 with the same problems? Hmmmm.. someting wong.

Those are the worst pics EVER man! lol...

[LA_MERC_Drax]

well i did take them with my phone, so don't expect 8 MP quality...

[LA_MERC_T4rg3T]

We have a guy here at work with that same mobo and he has had all sorts of ram issues. Right now, he's running on a single stick of 1 gig Cosair. He can't put in the other stick because if he does, the pc will just randomly reboot itself.

I recommend having ASUS switch out the mobo.

[LA_MERC_Drax]

Don't know if they're gonna do that now that I've pulled the bios chip off, but then again, they sent me a new chip to replace mine and should have known the one I had was sautered on. I'm calling them tomorrow to see what I can get out of them.

[LA_MERC_Shadow]

After all the trouble I've heard and experienced with the Asus mobo's I don't think I'll ever buy another. It sucks to spend this much time on one friggin thing.

[LA_MERC_Drax]

ASUS is Xshipping me a MoBo for free, even after i told them i pulled of the cmos chip that was sautered on, they blamed there tech support for telling me to change that chip.

[LA_MERC_th33_r00k]

Sweet Drax. It will be good to get it fixed.

[LA_MERC_eX1|eS' ch1|d]

Hopefully this one will work better than the previous. I've built 4 systems with ASUS mobo's with no problems besides user errors. I use crucial ram though.

[LA_MERC_Drax]

Gah, new mobo in, same problems, power is just shutting off after about 30 seconds. Using the crucial ballistix ram atm, but i guess im about to plug the corsair ram back in and see what gives? First im on the phone with ASUS tech support, i can't figure out why the system would just shut off like its doing...

[LA_MERC_FragFood]

Gah, new mobo in, same problems, power is just shutting off after about 30 seconds. Using the crucial ballistix ram atm, but i guess im about to plug the corsair ram back in and see what gives? First im on the phone with ASUS tech support, i can't figure out why the system would just shut off like its doing...

Are you sure you have a good PSU? Hooking up the CPU fan to the proper header? You tried my "yank everything" suggestion from page 1, right?

[LA_MERC_Drax]

Actually, after talking to a fairly knowledgable guy, we tried a few things, and it seems that my heatsink was properly sitting down on the chip right. I wasn't aware that the chip had algorithms in it to monitor if the temp started climbing too fast that it would kill off ( the E6600 has a shutoff temp of 61 degrees celcuis) but if the temp climbs too fast, itll shut off way before. I found if i hold pressure on the heatsink, the computer would keep running. Have a new heatsink besides the intel heatsink on the way, the intel heatsinks fasten like garbage, the guy i was talking with was telling me this Zalman 9500 heatsink would keep the chip in the lower 30s. Wish i could talked with this guy ages ago, he had me check things i would have never thought about, like mobo voltages, ram voltages, etc. BTW, this guy was definately american, which was a pleasure to speak with on tech support versus the regulars...

[LA_MERC_Drax]

Got it running again, new heat sink is keeping the chip in the lower to mid 30s vs upper 50s with other heat sink.

[LA_MERC_th33_r00k]

Sweet man. So you are good to go?

[LA_MERC_Spark]

Actually, after talking to a fairly knowledgable guy, we tried a few things, and it seems that my heatsink was properly sitting down on the chip right. I wasn't aware that the chip had algorithms in it to monitor if the temp started climbing too fast that it would kill off ( the E6600 has a shutoff temp of 61 degrees celcuis) but if the temp climbs too fast, itll shut off way before. I found if i hold pressure on the heatsink, the computer would keep running. Have a new heatsink besides the intel heatsink on the way, the intel heatsinks fasten like garbage, the guy i was talking with was telling me this Zalman 9500 heatsink would keep the chip in the lower 30s. Wish i could talked with this guy ages ago, he had me check things i would have never thought about, like mobo voltages, ram voltages, etc. BTW, this guy was definately american, which was a pleasure to speak with on tech support versus the regulars...


doh! Yeah man.. umm.. if the chip gets hot it will shut down. The problem is with this MOBO so many people have had RAM problems that it just never crossed my mind. I have two of those boards working right now. Both were flaky to begin with but after tweaking some hardware they seem to be rolling along fairly well.

[Daedelus]

wow glad you figured it out. I my was just thinking of upgrading my ram myself to som OCZ ddr2 -667 pc 5400 supossed to be compliant with my dell. ill make sure to do more home work before buying. although i have had great luck with new egg.