A very important question

by **Ralph Wiggum** » Sat May 08, 2004 9:31 pm

I haven't tried that yet, but I will before I send my memory back. In order to run single channel mode, my understanding is that I woul just have one stick in one of my memory slots. Is there any other way to force it to run single channel? Also, what would be causing it to have problems with dual channel: would it just be a bad motherboard, or are there some settings I should be looking at in BIOS or elsewhere?

by **Edogg** » Sat May 08, 2004 10:06 pm

to run single channel with two sticks, put them in slots next to each other. for example. dimm 0 & dimm 1, or dimm 2 & dimm 3.

I would also check to see if your memory settings in the bios are set appropriately. Find out what the stock voltage and timings are for your memory, and then compare them with whats set in your bios. your voltage(probably listed as vdimm in bios) should probably be around 2.5 volts. Your timings most likely should be 2.5-7-4-4.

by **Bullhead** » Sun May 09, 2004 11:32 am

Originally posted by Ralph Wiggum
I don't think that is it Edogg. The first test I ran was in DIMM 0 and DIMM 2 (the blue ones). That one indicated errors in DIMM 0 and none in DIMM 2. For the second test I used DIMM 1 and DIMM 3 (the black ones). That test indicated problems in DIMM 1 and none in DIMM 3. For the last test, I flipped the memory sticks between DIMM 1 and DIMM 3 expecting to see errors in DIMM 3 because the test had indicated errors in DIMM 1 and now that stick would be in DIMM 3.

I'll confess to not having had enough coffee yet, but here goes:D :

As edogg mentioned, if you have errors in the same slot, but with different sticks, it generally means that the problem is the motherboard, not the mem. It could be a Dimm slot is bad, or it could even be the memory controller is bad.

Ideally, if you have friend who is willing, you either put their memory in your pc (after having tested it in their's first to make sure it's good to start with) or your memory in theirs, and see what fails where. Otherwise, after you RMA the memory to Newegg, if you still have problems it means it's time to RMA the mobo.....

by **Ralph Wiggum** » Wed May 19, 2004 9:58 pm

Well, I got my new memory from newegg and ran the windows memory tester. I got the same number of errors which obviously supports a motherboard problem. One thing that was thrown out when I posted on a computer forum (http://www.techsupportforums.com, I think; whatever the name is they have been pretty helpful) was a voltage issue for my RAM. Someone suggested I up the voltage to 2.75. I am willing to try it, but I have a problem, I don't think I can find the right place to do it. I would ask them, but I think I will get quicker results over here. So my question is: how do I adjust the voltage for my memory? I am using a P4C800-E Deluxe motherboard and an AMI bios (I can look up my bios version if it matters).

by **Mott** » Wed May 19, 2004 10:32 pm

In your bios, select Advanced\Jumperfree Configuration. Then select AI Overclock and change its setting to Manual. Once you do that, select DDR Reference Voltage and change its setting from Auto to Manual. After that there should be several voltages to select from. Good luck.

by **Ralph Wiggum** » Thu May 20, 2004 7:10 pm

Thanks Mott. Unfortunately, I tried it and it didn't work. I will try a few more experiments and may then be forced to get a new motherboard.

by **Ralph Wiggum** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 4:51 pm

Well, I thought I would bring this thread back from the dead and see what people think.

I no longer think that I have a memory issue. I read a post from someone on another forum who had the exact same results I got from the Microsoft Memory Diagnostic program. This poster mentioned that he ran MemTest 86 and got no errors, so I downloaded that program and ran it too. I also received zero errors using MemTest86. The theory this guy had was that the Microsoft diagnostic program may be having compatibility problems with the newest Pentium cpus. In the meantime, I updated my BIOS and have installed the Asus PC Probe software (it allows me to monitor cpu and mobo temperature and fan RPMs).

Anyway, the problem still occurs, especially in Rise of Nation (it only occurred once in BFV, so it was more of an annoyance, like crashing to the desktop; it has basically made RON unplayable, however, since it will happen almost everytime and at seemingly random intervals). The PC Probe data indicates a cpu temp high of about 44C (111F). I am not sure, but I do not think this is way out of line for a P4 3.4 cpu. If someone knows differently, please let me know.

Any ideas other than heat or bad memory/motherboard? I have reinstalled drivers, but I guess I will try using one of the driver cleaner programs. Thanks in advance.

by **CrazyBri** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 5:26 pm

I've got the same exact motherboard and similar cpu. Your temps are fine. The important question here is what is the exact name/type of RAM that you ordered? Model number, vendor, brand etc That motherboard should be very solid but only if you're using the proper RAM and have the appropriate RAM settings in the BIOS. Yes it's possible that an inadequate power supply or faulty component in the motherboard could be the issue but I'm still leaning towards the RAM. (assuming your videocard drivers are good to go)

I think it would be best if you download various 3d game demos and try them out to see if you experience similar lockup issues like you're having with RON (exclude BFV bec that's an ATI /DICE issue). You should even try 3dmark2003 and loop it for awhile.

Although I don't think this is your problem I'd like to offer you some advice on what settings should be changed in the BIOS that probably weren't set at the factory.

Under "USB configuration" in BIOS I recommend:

Legacy USB support [disabled]
USB 2.0 Controller [enabled]
USB 2.0 Controller Mode [HiSpeed]

The Legacy USB support has been known to cause many issues on this motherboard(especially with USB 2.0 connected devices) and even when you disable it it doesn't mean you can't connect and use USB 1.0 standard devices. Those will still work just fine.

So let me know the exact RAM you have and I'll try my best to help.

by **Evan** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 5:50 pm

Originally posted by CrazyBri
I've got the same exact motherboard and similar cpu. Your temps are fine. The important question here is what is the exact name/type of RAM that you ordered? Model number, vendor, brand etc That motherboard should be very solid but only if you're using the proper RAM and have the appropriate RAM settings in the BIOS. Yes it's possible that an inadequate power supply or faulty component in the motherboard could be the issue but I'm still leaning towards the RAM. (assuming your videocard drivers are good to go)

I think it would be best if you download various 3d game demos and try them out to see if you experience similar lockup issues like you're having with RON (exclude BFV bec that's an ATI /DICE issue). You should even try 3dmark2003 and loop it for awhile.

Although I don't think this is your problem I'd like to offer you some advice on what settings should be changed in the BIOS that probably weren't set at the factory.

Under "USB configuration" in BIOS I recommend:

Legacy USB support [b][disabled]
USB 2.0 Controller [enabled]
USB 2.0 Controller Mode [HiSpeed]

The Legacy USB support has been known to cause many issues on this motherboard(especially with USB 2.0 connected devices) and even when you disable it it doesn't mean you can't connect and use USB 1.0 standard devices. Those will still work just fine.

So let me know the exact RAM you have and I'll try my best to help. [/B]

Legacy USB is however, needed if your USB device isn't being initialized (but is still recognized) during POST. I've had many computers have this option set to off and I couldn't get into BIOS without a PS2 keyboard.

by **LordShard** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:11 pm

Yup, always keep a ps2 keyboard.

by **CrazyBri** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:21 pm

Evan that is a great point and I was not thinking of that when I posted the info. Hopefully Ralph isn't stuck at his PC cursing because I told him to disable legacy USB without knowing what keyboard he had. :eek:

Personally I would always use a PS2 converter if I had a USB keyboard but for people who don't have that, the legacy support needs to be enabled like you said.

/puts on dunce hat

by **Ralph Wiggum** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 9:48 pm

Well, I'm not stuck yet because I haven't tried this fix. I believe my keyboard is PS2 because I think I have seen this mentioned somewhere. How would I know? I will try this out as soon as I know I have the right hardware so that I'm not SOL after I fix it. I hope it will be some issue like you have identified CrazyBri. For the most part it is a minor problem, but it worries me because I would think it could mean something more serious. It has never come up in BF1942, which is my main concern. I like RON, but if it only occurred there I would never have posted about it. When it happened in BFV it got me concerned.

As far as memory, I have the Corsair XMS PC-3200 (the model number is, I believe, TwinX1024-3200C2PT).

One other thing I just noticed, which may be unrelated to the other problem: I have noticed a slight flicker in BF1942 and FH since I updated the BIOS. My refresh rates are the same as before, but I definitely am noticing a flicker.

by **Evan** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 10:11 pm

PS2 connectors are round. USB connectors are flat and in the shape of a rectangle.

by **cavalierlwt** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 1:04 am

I don't know much about either Memtest86 or MS's mem diagnostic program, but I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the errors (possibly from your motherboard) just because MeMtest86 doesn't agree with MS Mem Diagnostic. I don't know if either one of them are considered a 'gold standard' in memory testing. If you can replace the MOBO for free, do it, it eliminates about 90% of the possibilities.

Originally posted by Ralph Wiggum
Well, I thought I would bring this thread back from the dead and see what people think.

I no longer think that I have a memory issue. I read a post from someone on another forum who had the exact same results I got from the Microsoft Memory Diagnostic program. This poster mentioned that he ran MemTest 86 and got no errors, so I downloaded that program and ran it too. I also received zero errors using MemTest86. The theory this guy had was that the Microsoft diagnostic program may be having compatibility problems with the newest Pentium cpus.

by **Bullhead** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 10:26 am

Originally posted by cavalierlwt
I don't know much about either Memtest86 or MS's mem diagnostic program, but I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the errors (possibly from your motherboard) just because MeMtest86 doesn't agree with MS Mem Diagnostic. I don't know if either one of them are considered a 'gold standard' in memory testing. If you can replace the MOBO for free, do it, it eliminates about 90% of the possibilities.

Actually, a number of the memory manufacturers use memtest86 for both burn-in and diag testing. It's about as close to a 'gold standard' as you get.

And if history has been any lesson, you don't trust anything ANY microsoft product tells you

A very important question

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