Bsod

[jchalm]

I'm having a problem with my old dell system I keep getting a message on post (memory size has changed )then either a bsod or windows will load.It uses RDram and I had 768mb but when I started getting the errors windows shows 500mb.So this is what I've done so far ran memtest got over 100,000 errors in 1hr. took the two sticks of 128mb that left the two 256mb moved them into different slots no luck, windows now shows correct 512mb but still get the errors!

[3 of 7]

I haven't had much to do with the RDR, but can you run it with one stick at a time to see which one has failed?

[jchalm]

Originally Posted by 3 of 7

I haven't had much to do with the RDR, but can you run it with one stick at a time to see which one has failed?

Well RMA the ram and got my new sticks ran fine for about three weeks.Now I'm back to getting errors in memtest the Bios and windows showing 400mb not 512mb I'm at a loss. I would think it would highly unlikely to get more bad ram anyone have any ideas?

[NateX]

I would vote for the mobo being bad. Might be a memory controller issue, which I believe was integrated into the north bridge with RDR as with later Intel DDR solutions.

[Tapir]

Originally Posted by NateX

I would vote for the mobo being bad. Might be a memory controller issue, which I believe was integrated into the north bridge with RDR as with later Intel DDR solutions.

I would give this my vote after cleaning out slots.... and still with negative results.

[NateX]

Originally Posted by Tapir

I would give this my vote after cleaning out slots.... and still with negative results.

Good point, I hadn't thought of that one. I have had comressed air work wonders, especially on older systems that have been running for a while without being cleaned out.

[Bofinn]

and as said before, run memtest one stick at a time.

[jchalm]

Originally Posted by NateX

I would vote for the mobo being bad. Might be a memory controller issue, which I believe was integrated into the north bridge with RDR as with later Intel DDR solutions.

I have sent the 256 sticks back for new ones and reinstalled the original 128 in the same slots so far so good,this is why I'm at a loss.Could the memory controller have an issue with different size sticks?

[NateX]

Speaking from personal experience, I have had DDR that worked fine in one system, and would generate Memtest errors, and Prime95 errors in another. the only real difference between the systems was a different memory controller. With Athlon/Opteron procs, the mem controller is on the CPU, and one system had an A64 the other an Opty - both had the same mobo. The A64 didn't like it, the Opty did. Both systems would also run other DDR with no problems. It was just this particular pair that the A64 seemed to have issues with. I suspect the mem controller on the A64 was bad or had issues, although it is still running. I would like to reiterate the "suspect" part, since I never was able to verify this, but I am nearly 100% certain that the RAM is fine as it is running in the system with the Opty.

It's purely anecdotal, but I think it is very possible that a bad memory controller would still work with different RAM, especially lower density stuff. I am no expert however, so take it for what it's worth. Besides, I am sure someone will generously point out all of the errors in my post.