Memory upgrade dilema

ZacMan · 03-08-2008, 10:03 AM

I was wondering if anyone else has seen this issue?

I have a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P motherboard with a Q6600 CPU and 2GB of Patriot DDR2 1066 RAM. The system has been running nice and stable since November at stock settings (no overclocking).

I installed Vista 64 bit on a separate drive tray and at the same time decided to upgrade to 4GB of RAM. So i purchased another set of Patriot DDR2 RAM with the same specs and installed them in the machine.

When I run Memtest I get a ton of errors so I pulled the new RAM and swapped them out with the original memory and ran the test again with 2GB installed and everything runs fine. I put the old sticks back in and again run Memtest with 2GB installed and still no errors. I only get the errors when I have all 4 modules in the machine.

I've tried updating the BIOS to the latest release and setting my memory timings and voltages manually instead of using the AUTO settings in the BIOS to no avail.

Anyone have any ideas?

zman88 · 03-08-2008, 10:28 AM

You are using the latest memtest revision I assume?

*SRTDodge05* · 03-08-2008, 10:37 AM

Mite need to bump up the memory voltage a little.

3 of 7 · 03-08-2008, 11:44 AM

Patriot PDC21G8500ELK memory kit main features are:

* Total capacity: 1 GB (2x 512 MB modules)
* Speed: DDR2-1066/PC2-8500
* Programmed Timings: 5-5-5-16
* Recommended Voltage: 2.3 V

I'm not sure if this is your ram, but if it is, you'll definitely need to manually set the voltages because your board will go to 1.8v on auto.

*SRTDodge05* · 03-08-2008, 11:47 AM

Its going to be one of these two.
Newegg.com - Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Newegg.com - Patriot Viper 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

Both are rated at 2.3v so i would start there, if it doesnt work try a little higher voltage.

zman88 · 03-08-2008, 12:09 PM

Well I was using an older version of memtest with vista 32 bit and had no errors. When I installed vista ultimate 64 bit is when I found needed to update memtest to the latest version.

zman88 · 03-08-2008, 12:11 PM

I also went from 2 to 4 gig of mem.

*SRTDodge05* · 03-08-2008, 12:13 PM

You really shouldnt run memtest in windows in the first place it doesnt test all your memory. Just download memory test and burn the iso to a cd and reboot and let memtest run for a few hours.

ZacMan · 03-08-2008, 12:47 PM

It is the PDC21G8500ELK.

I'm running v3.4 of Memtest off of an ISO at boot and not in Windows.

I raised the voltage to 2.3 and I still get errors. I went to 2.4 and get the same deal.

*SRTDodge05* · 03-08-2008, 12:50 PM

Try running just the two new sticks of ram and run the memtest mite have a bad stick.

ctal · 03-08-2008, 12:54 PM

Is legacy usb support enabled in your bios? If so, try turning it off. In the past, at least, with other boards and earlier versions of Memtest, legacy usb support would cause errors in Memtest (although I realize it works ok for you with only 2gB).

-- Al

zman88 · 03-08-2008, 01:02 PM

Unless I'm missing something , memtest is up to version 2.01 not 3.84!

*SRTDodge05* · 03-08-2008, 01:12 PM

Theres memtest and memtest+

Memtest86.com - Memory Diagnostic
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

ZacMan · 03-08-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRTDodge05

Try running just the two new sticks of ram and run the memtest mite have a bad stick.

The new sticks pass Memtest without any errors. I've tested the original memory as well and they pass too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctal

Is legacy usb support enabled in your bios?

Legacy USB storage detect is enabled. I will try this but its not just a Memtest issue. Windows will BSOD on boot with the memory installed.

*SRTDodge05* · 03-08-2008, 01:57 PM

I would check to see if there is a bios update for your board. Check in the bios that the memory timing is 5-5-5-16 and set the voltage to 2.4v.

03-08-2008, 10:03 AM	#1
ZacMan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 18	Memory upgrade dilema I was wondering if anyone else has seen this issue? I have a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P motherboard with a Q6600 CPU and 2GB of Patriot DDR2 1066 RAM. The system has been running nice and stable since November at stock settings (no overclocking). I installed Vista 64 bit on a separate drive tray and at the same time decided to upgrade to 4GB of RAM. So i purchased another set of Patriot DDR2 RAM with the same specs and installed them in the machine. When I run Memtest I get a ton of errors so I pulled the new RAM and swapped them out with the original memory and ran the test again with 2GB installed and everything runs fine. I put the old sticks back in and again run Memtest with 2GB installed and still no errors. I only get the errors when I have all 4 modules in the machine. I've tried updating the BIOS to the latest release and setting my memory timings and voltages manually instead of using the AUTO settings in the BIOS to no avail. Anyone have any ideas? __________________ ZacMan ------------- ASUS P4P800 - P4 2.4Ghz 800MHz - 512MB - ATI Radeon 9600SE - Zalman CNPS6500B-CU - 380W PS - Antec SONATA - NEC 2500A DVD-+RRW - 80GB & 160 GB 7200RPM ATA 100 - AMI BIOS - WinXP-Pro Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P - Q66600 - 2GB PC2-8500 - 500W PS
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03-08-2008, 10:28 AM	#2
zman88 I'll race the truck! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: NH Posts: 490	Re: Memory upgrade dilema You are using the latest memtest revision I assume? __________________ Turn Left,Go Fast I spend most of my money on wild women,booze and computers....... The rest I just waste!
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03-08-2008, 10:37 AM	#3
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,820	Re: Memory upgrade dilema Mite need to bump up the memory voltage a little.
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03-08-2008, 11:44 AM	#4
3 of 7 You can run..... Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 4,630	Re: Memory upgrade dilema Patriot PDC21G8500ELK memory kit main features are: * Total capacity: 1 GB (2x 512 MB modules) * Speed: DDR2-1066/PC2-8500 * Programmed Timings: 5-5-5-16 * Recommended Voltage: 2.3 V I'm not sure if this is your ram, but if it is, you'll definitely need to manually set the voltages because your board will go to 1.8v on auto. __________________
(Offline)

03-08-2008, 11:47 AM	#5
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,820	Re: Memory upgrade dilema Its going to be one of these two. Newegg.com - Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail Newegg.com - Patriot Viper 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail Both are rated at 2.3v so i would start there, if it doesnt work try a little higher voltage.
(Offline)

03-08-2008, 12:09 PM	#6
zman88 I'll race the truck! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: NH Posts: 490	Re: Memory upgrade dilema Well I was using an older version of memtest with vista 32 bit and had no errors. When I installed vista ultimate 64 bit is when I found needed to update memtest to the latest version. __________________ Turn Left,Go Fast I spend most of my money on wild women,booze and computers....... The rest I just waste!
(Offline)

03-08-2008, 12:11 PM	#7
zman88 I'll race the truck! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: NH Posts: 490	Re: Memory upgrade dilema I also went from 2 to 4 gig of mem. __________________ Turn Left,Go Fast I spend most of my money on wild women,booze and computers....... The rest I just waste!
(Offline)

03-08-2008, 12:13 PM	#8
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,820	Re: Memory upgrade dilema You really shouldnt run memtest in windows in the first place it doesnt test all your memory. Just download memory test and burn the iso to a cd and reboot and let memtest run for a few hours.
(Offline)

03-08-2008, 12:47 PM	#9
ZacMan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 18	Re: Memory upgrade dilema It is the PDC21G8500ELK. I'm running v3.4 of Memtest off of an ISO at boot and not in Windows. I raised the voltage to 2.3 and I still get errors. I went to 2.4 and get the same deal. __________________ ZacMan ------------- ASUS P4P800 - P4 2.4Ghz 800MHz - 512MB - ATI Radeon 9600SE - Zalman CNPS6500B-CU - 380W PS - Antec SONATA - NEC 2500A DVD-+RRW - 80GB & 160 GB 7200RPM ATA 100 - AMI BIOS - WinXP-Pro Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3P - Q66600 - 2GB PC2-8500 - 500W PS
(Offline)

03-08-2008, 12:50 PM	#10
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,820	Re: Memory upgrade dilema Try running just the two new sticks of ram and run the memtest mite have a bad stick. __________________
(Offline)

03-08-2008, 12:54 PM	#11
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,234	Re: Memory upgrade dilema Is legacy usb support enabled in your bios? If so, try turning it off. In the past, at least, with other boards and earlier versions of Memtest, legacy usb support would cause errors in Memtest (although I realize it works ok for you with only 2gB). -- Al __________________ "I didn't say I didn't say it. I said that I didn't say that I said it. I want to make that very clear." -- George Romney, in 1968, while campaigning for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
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03-08-2008, 01:02 PM	#12
zman88 I'll race the truck! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: NH Posts: 490	Re: Memory upgrade dilema Unless I'm missing something , memtest is up to version 2.01 not 3.84! __________________ Turn Left,Go Fast I spend most of my money on wild women,booze and computers....... The rest I just waste!
(Offline)

03-08-2008, 01:12 PM	#13
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,820	Re: Memory upgrade dilema Theres memtest and memtest+ Memtest86.com - Memory Diagnostic Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool __________________
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03-08-2008, 01:57 PM	#15
SRTDodge05 Grab Life By The Balls Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,820	Re: Memory upgrade dilema I would check to see if there is a bios update for your board. Check in the bios that the memory timing is 5-5-5-16 and set the voltage to 2.4v. __________________
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