memory upgrade causing reboot

avesta · Dec 30, 2005, 08:33 PM

i upgraded my memory from 1GB to 2GB (exact same type of memory). everytime during the windows startup screen (when the mouse cursor starts to show), the computer reboots itself automatically. i was able to get into windows one time as it did not reboot itself, and I checked the memory and it says I had 2GB, so I know that i installed the ram correctly. any suggestions?

my system specs are:
amd64 fx-53
1gb (2x512mb) corsair pc3200xl memory, I added 2 more sticks of the EXACT same type memory
2 x 74gb raptors in raid 0
msi k8n neo2 platinum

i have currently 3 partitions and the pagefile is set like this:
C: (windows-smallpartition) - no pagefile
D: (games/programs-largepartition) - initial size of 1536 and max size of 3064
E: (random-smallpartition) no pagefile

here is the link to the motherboard manual which shows how to install memory modules:
http://www.msicomputer.com/product/...odel=K8N_Neo2-F

im not quite sure what it means and what I have to do. my two initial ram sticks are silver colored and are the exact same type and speed as the new ones I bought for upgrading, which are black in color.
The two memory modules were initially in slots 1 and 2 I believe, and I added the 2 new modules to slots 3 and 4.

Yousaif · Dec 30, 2005, 09:28 PM

Try taking out the old ones and make sure it boots up with just the new ones. If it doesn't, then you may have bad RAM. If it does, run SiSoft Sandra and get the specs of the new memory. Then do the same with the old memory. Compare the specs and make sure they are the same.

Also try putting the old ones in1 and 3 and the new ones in 2 and 4. It may be the mobo is running mismatched pairs in dual channel mode and that is kicking out the errors.

soloz2 · Dec 30, 2005, 11:12 PM

run memtest86. download and install to a floppy (if you don' thave a floppy you can get a bootable CD image) run memtest. if you get any errors then you probably hvae a bad stick. run each set of RAM independently. if both sets pass alone run them together. if one pair doesn't pass run one stick at a time to see if you have a bad stick.

if both sets work alone but not together check these things:
make sure that in your bios memory settings it's set to a 2T command rate
your cpu may not be able to run 4 sticks at DDR400, you may have to default to DDR333... it's an older memory controller
once both these are checked if you're still having problems give your ram 2.8 or 2.85v. It's TCCD which means it will run default at about 2.7v or so, but w/ 4 sticks you'll wnat more juice.

avesta · Dec 31, 2005, 09:49 PM

ok guys I tried running the 1/3 and 2/4 setup and I still get the same problem. then I tried using the 2 new sticks alone, and it worked fine, so its obviously a compatibility issue. the memory pairs are the same, except they seem to be a different revision, one is v.1.1, the other is v1.2.
I've tried using cpu-z and it shows all 4 memory sticks to have the exact same specs.

soloz2, if I set command rate to 2T in my bios and go to DDR333, will this not impact performance? this machine is built primarily for gaming and I'd prefer not to take any performance hits. but i'll try the 2T setting and see if it helps.

Lowfat · Dec 31, 2005, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avesta

ok guys I tried running the 1/3 and 2/4 setup and I still get the same problem. then I tried using the 2 new sticks alone, and it worked fine, so its obviously a compatibility issue. the memory pairs are the same, except they seem to be a different revision, one is v.1.1, the other is v1.2.
I've tried using cpu-z and it shows all 4 memory sticks to have the exact same specs.

soloz2, if I set command rate to 2T in my bios and go to DDR333, will this not impact performance? this machine is built primarily for gaming and I'd prefer not to take any performance hits. but i'll try the 2T setting and see if it helps.

Both the rev1.1 as well as the rev 1.2 3200XL's use Samsung TCCD memory chips so compatibilty between the two shouldn't be a problem. It is likely your memory controller on the FX that is what is causing the stability problems. You might need to set DDR333 as well as commander per clock to 2T because I do not think the memory controller in the FX53 can handle 4 sticks of memory @ DDR400 and currently no AMD CPU can handle 4 sticks with CPC ON.

avesta · Dec 31, 2005, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowfat

Both the rev1.1 as well as the rev 1.2 3200XL's use Samsung TCCD memory chips so compatibilty between the two shouldn't be a problem. It is likely your memory controller on the FX that is what is causing the stability problems. You might need to set DDR333 as well as commander per clock to 2T because I do not think the memory controller in the FX53 can handle 4 sticks of memory @ DDR400 and currently no AMD CPU can handle 4 sticks with CPC ON.

if I make these changes will it impact peformance by a lot in games and such? or is it minimal?

also, I noticed my old stick are 3200XLPT-not 3200XL, i dont know if that makes a difference, I think it just has platinum heat spreaders or something....

Lowfat · Jan 1, 2006, 12:37 AM

Yes it will make an impact on performance. You could try it out and see, however i do think that going with a single 1GB is probably your best bet, or upgrade your cpu to one that can handle the 200FSB with four sticks of memory. The 3200XLPT has the same memory chips also, shouldn't make a difference.

soloz2 · Jan 1, 2006, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avesta

if I make these changes will it impact peformance by a lot in games and such? or is it minimal?

also, I noticed my old stick are 3200XLPT-not 3200XL, i dont know if that makes a difference, I think it just has platinum heat spreaders or something....

as I previously said... you HAVE to set your Command rate to 2T and the memclock index to DDR333. That is the only way it will work. You have an older cpu. it is only the newer core a64s that can run 4 sticks of RAM at DDR400, and even then they can only do it at 2T. Yes, there is a performance hit, but it shouldn't really be noticable as you'll be doubleing your RAM.

the only way to have 2gb of RAM and still run at DDR400 with a 1T command rate is to sell all your RAM and get 2 1gb sticks.

avesta · Jan 1, 2006, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soloz2

as I previously said... you HAVE to set your Command rate to 2T and the memclock index to DDR333. That is the only way it will work. You have an older cpu. it is only the newer core a64s that can run 4 sticks of RAM at DDR400, and even then they can only do it at 2T. Yes, there is a performance hit, but it shouldn't really be noticable as you'll be doubleing your RAM.

the only way to have 2gb of RAM and still run at DDR400 with a 1T command rate is to sell all your RAM and get 2 1gb sticks.

what if I take back the 512 sticks and get one 1GB stick and add those?

soloz2 · Jan 1, 2006, 03:34 AM

well you need 2 sticks to run dual channel which will give you the best performance. furthermore, they really should be the same make/model or at a bare minimum the same size.

Last I checked Corsair 3200XL cost about $200 or so. if you take them back get some g.skill. You can get some of their extreme F1 series for about $200 from newegg for a dual channel kit. (2x1gb)

the absolute best 1gb kit on the market currently is the OCZ platinum PC4000, but they run about 300 a pair

Dec 30, 2005, 08:33 PM	#1
avesta DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 27 Rep Power: 0	memory upgrade causing reboot i upgraded my memory from 1GB to 2GB (exact same type of memory). everytime during the windows startup screen (when the mouse cursor starts to show), the computer reboots itself automatically. i was able to get into windows one time as it did not reboot itself, and I checked the memory and it says I had 2GB, so I know that i installed the ram correctly. any suggestions? my system specs are: amd64 fx-53 1gb (2x512mb) corsair pc3200xl memory, I added 2 more sticks of the EXACT same type memory 2 x 74gb raptors in raid 0 msi k8n neo2 platinum i have currently 3 partitions and the pagefile is set like this: C: (windows-smallpartition) - no pagefile D: (games/programs-largepartition) - initial size of 1536 and max size of 3064 E: (random-smallpartition) no pagefile here is the link to the motherboard manual which shows how to install memory modules: http://www.msicomputer.com/product/...odel=K8N_Neo2-F im not quite sure what it means and what I have to do. my two initial ram sticks are silver colored and are the exact same type and speed as the new ones I bought for upgrading, which are black in color. The two memory modules were initially in slots 1 and 2 I believe, and I added the 2 new modules to slots 3 and 4.

Dec 30, 2005, 11:12 PM	#3
soloz2 DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 362 Rep Power: 0	run memtest86. download and install to a floppy (if you don' thave a floppy you can get a bootable CD image) run memtest. if you get any errors then you probably hvae a bad stick. run each set of RAM independently. if both sets pass alone run them together. if one pair doesn't pass run one stick at a time to see if you have a bad stick. if both sets work alone but not together check these things: make sure that in your bios memory settings it's set to a 2T command rate your cpu may not be able to run 4 sticks at DDR400, you may have to default to DDR333... it's an older memory controller once both these are checked if you're still having problems give your ram 2.8 or 2.85v. It's TCCD which means it will run default at about 2.7v or so, but w/ 4 sticks you'll wnat more juice. __________________ [COLOR=gray][COLOR=red]CPU:[/COLOR] AMD Opteron 165 CCBBE @ 2.8Ghz [/COLOR] [COLOR=gray][COLOR=red]Motherboard:[/COLOR] DFI nF4 SLI-DR Expert [COLOR=red]Memory:[/COLOR] 2gb G.Skill F1-4000USU2-2 [COLOR=red]Video:[/COLOR] Asus 7900GT TOP @ 700/1700 [COLOR=red]Sound:[/COLOR] Modded X-Fi Elite Pro [COLOR=red]HD:[/COLOR] 2x Seagate 250Gb RAID 0, 1 Seagate 320Gb [COLOR=red]Optical Drives:[/COLOR] Sony DVD-Rom, Plextor 16x DVD DL RW [COLOR=red]Case:[/COLOR] CM Stacker [COLOR=red]PSU:[/COLOR] PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 [COLOR=red]Cooling:[/COLOR] Custom Water [COLOR=yellow][COLOR=red]Keyboard/Mouse:[/COLOR] [/COLOR]Saitec Eclipse & Logitech MX518 with a Razer ExactMat mouse pad [COLOR=red]Sound:[/COLOR] Modded X-fi > Soloz Audio Silver IC > Maxed PIMETA > Beyer DT 770 Pro/80 cans [COLOR=red]HTPC:[/COLOR] [/COLOR][COLOR=gray]AMD 3800X2[/COLOR][COLOR=gray], Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe, G.Skill 2GB DDR400, MSI 6600GT, Haupauge PVR150, SB [/COLOR][COLOR=gray]Audigy 2ZS[/COLOR][COLOR=gray], Samsung 16x DVD DL RW, Sunbeam Nuuo PSU, Antec P180 case, AC Freezer64 Pro, Viewsonic N2750w LCD HDTV Heatware eBay [/COLOR]

Jan 1, 2006, 12:37 AM	#7
Lowfat Xtreme Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can Posts: 4,254 Rep Power: 101	Yes it will make an impact on performance. You could try it out and see, however i do think that going with a single 1GB is probably your best bet, or upgrade your cpu to one that can handle the 200FSB with four sticks of memory. The 3200XLPT has the same memory chips also, shouldn't make a difference. __________________

Jan 1, 2006, 03:34 AM	#10
soloz2 DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 362 Rep Power: 0	well you need 2 sticks to run dual channel which will give you the best performance. furthermore, they really should be the same make/model or at a bare minimum the same size. Last I checked Corsair 3200XL cost about $200 or so. if you take them back get some g.skill. You can get some of their extreme F1 series for about $200 from newegg for a dual channel kit. (2x1gb) the absolute best 1gb kit on the market currently is the OCZ platinum PC4000, but they run about 300 a pair __________________ [COLOR=gray][COLOR=red]CPU:[/COLOR] AMD Opteron 165 CCBBE @ 2.8Ghz [/COLOR] [COLOR=gray][COLOR=red]Motherboard:[/COLOR] DFI nF4 SLI-DR Expert [COLOR=red]Memory:[/COLOR] 2gb G.Skill F1-4000USU2-2 [COLOR=red]Video:[/COLOR] Asus 7900GT TOP @ 700/1700 [COLOR=red]Sound:[/COLOR] Modded X-Fi Elite Pro [COLOR=red]HD:[/COLOR] 2x Seagate 250Gb RAID 0, 1 Seagate 320Gb [COLOR=red]Optical Drives:[/COLOR] Sony DVD-Rom, Plextor 16x DVD DL RW [COLOR=red]Case:[/COLOR] CM Stacker [COLOR=red]PSU:[/COLOR] PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 [COLOR=red]Cooling:[/COLOR] Custom Water [COLOR=yellow][COLOR=red]Keyboard/Mouse:[/COLOR] [/COLOR]Saitec Eclipse & Logitech MX518 with a Razer ExactMat mouse pad [COLOR=red]Sound:[/COLOR] Modded X-fi > Soloz Audio Silver IC > Maxed PIMETA > Beyer DT 770 Pro/80 cans [COLOR=red]HTPC:[/COLOR] [/COLOR][COLOR=gray]AMD 3800X2[/COLOR][COLOR=gray], Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe, G.Skill 2GB DDR400, MSI 6600GT, Haupauge PVR150, SB [/COLOR][COLOR=gray]Audigy 2ZS[/COLOR][COLOR=gray], Samsung 16x DVD DL RW, Sunbeam Nuuo PSU, Antec P180 case, AC Freezer64 Pro, Viewsonic N2750w LCD HDTV Heatware eBay [/COLOR]

Dec 31, 2005, 09:49 PM	Thread Starter #4
avesta DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 27 Rep Power: 0	ok guys I tried running the 1/3 and 2/4 setup and I still get the same problem. then I tried using the 2 new sticks alone, and it worked fine, so its obviously a compatibility issue. the memory pairs are the same, except they seem to be a different revision, one is v.1.1, the other is v1.2. I've tried using cpu-z and it shows all 4 memory sticks to have the exact same specs. soloz2, if I set command rate to 2T in my bios and go to DDR333, will this not impact performance? this machine is built primarily for gaming and I'd prefer not to take any performance hits. but i'll try the 2T setting and see if it helps.