my computer has issues.....

[mebkc]

I am having a problem with my RAM, I think. let me know what you think.

I had a P4 1.6, some 845 intel motherboard, and 1GB PC2700 RAM. I got a P4 3.0, an 865 intel motherboard, 800MHz, and windows XP pro from intel for $200 (a deal I got for working at best buy). Everything was working fine on my original set. when I installed the motherboard and processor, took my old ram and stuck it in my new mobo in dual channel mode (they're the same size/brand/speed), it worked fine. when I tried to load SP1 for windows XP, it downloaded everything just fine, went through the install, then right at the end of the install my comp. rebooted for no reason. when I turned it back on, it told me it was recovering from a fatal error and asked to send an error report. I did, and microsoft's error report told me it was a problem w/ my ram. I've noticed, also, that my webpages are acting wierd as well. for instance, with this page, if I scroll down, I can actually see the page redraw. it's not drawing at an almost instantaneous speed anymore.

I wanted PC3200 ram anyway, so I went ahead and ordered new ram. do you guys think that will fix it?

and on another note: I'm reading all this stuff on CAS latency, and all this mumbo jumbo, but none of it is telling me exactly what that latency is! can someone explain what it is and how it works? thanks!

[Mankal3]

I cant help with your problems, but if you want info on what CAS latencies are and more technical mumbo-jumbo here it is:
http://www.mushkin.com/mushkin/pop-up/latencies.htm

http://corsairmemory.com/corsair/pro...707/index.html

http://corsairmemory.com/corsair/pro...h/trg-cas.html

Hope this info helps.

[digginthis]

Did you do a clean instal of the operating system when you changed the board........ a clean install is the best place to start.

[mebkc]

yes, I did a clean install. completely formatted the hard drive and started back up from scratch. I've done it about 4 or 5 times, just to make sure that there's an actual hardware issue. each time, when installing the SP1, it rebooted during the install process. 2 or 3 times, I HAD to reformat my computer, since it corrupted windows.

[garnet_abx]

Download and run Microsoft's Memory Tester to check for errors. If there are any errors, then you've got a problem with it.
Microsoft Memory tester here

[mebkc]

Thanks for the link! I lost it and couldn't find it when I tried to look for it. I am running it right now while I'm at work. I did notice that on one of the tests in the 2nd pass (I left for work before it started the 3rd pass) it did fail. which test, I don't know. I'll come back when I get off work and let you know. it doesn't tell me what is wrong, though. if it's my ram or if it's my ram control on the motherboard.

[Razorback]

Originally posted by garnet
Download and run Microsoft's Memory Tester to check for errors. If there are any errors, then you've got a problem with it.
Microsoft Memory tester here

Hey garnet,
Do you like this utility better than memtest?

[garnet_abx]

Originally posted by Razorback
Hey garnet,
Do you like this utility better than memtest?

Yes I do! I find it easier to understand and it runs quicker. I ran a test with memtest for nearly an hour and no problems showed up. I loaded the MS test and it showed errors in the first two minutes. A complete extended pass only takes around 15 minutes. (A guess, I've never timed it) The way I think it works is that if you don't see errors in the first pass of MS, you're probably not going to see any at all.

[mebkc]

It didn't find any errors during the first pass for me. It found it's first error during the 2nd pass of the extended version. then I came home from work, and had over 1 million errors.... now, this ram worked fine in my other mobo, so I don't think it's the ram. I ordered new ram anyway, though, seeing as how I'm always spending too much money. when it gets here, i'll find out. you know what's REALLY awesome (yes, this is my sarcastic voice)? Intel doesn't give free motherboard support. they charge $25. if there's a problem w/ the motherboard, they'll refund it. not kewl. they give free e-mail support, though. I'm sure I'll get an answer before christmas...some year... lol

[garnet_abx]

Originally posted by mebkc
It didn't find any errors during the first pass for me. It found it's first error during the 2nd pass of the extended version. then I came home from work, and had over 1 million errors.... now, this ram worked fine in my other mobo, so I don't think it's the ram. I ordered new ram anyway, though, seeing as how I'm always spending too much money. when it gets here, i'll find out. you know what's REALLY awesome (yes, this is my sarcastic voice)? Intel doesn't give free motherboard support. they charge $25. if there's a problem w/ the motherboard, they'll refund it. not kewl. they give free e-mail support, though. I'm sure I'll get an answer before christmas...some year... lol

Well that sure blew my "one pass" theory out the window! Well regardless, the errors did show up very fast in the testing! The problem is most likely the the memory. Did you try testing one stick at a time and changing the ram to different slots?

[mebkc]

Yes, I did each stick individually, and in different slots, and came up w/ errors on both sticks. what I'm confused on is why it would work fine in one mobo, but then BOTH sticks would go bad on the new one... I guess when my new RAM comes in, I'll put those in and see for sure. those have been tested before they were sent out to me. if it isn't working right in there, it has to be the motherboard. either that, or I'm holding the sticks w/ gloves made of steel wool...

[garnet_abx]

Originally posted by mebkc
Yes, I did each stick individually, and in different slots, and came up w/ errors on both sticks. what I'm confused on is why it would work fine in one mobo, but then BOTH sticks would go bad on the new one... I guess when my new RAM comes in, I'll put those in and see for sure. those have been tested before they were sent out to me. if it isn't working right in there, it has to be the motherboard. either that, or I'm holding the sticks w/ gloves made of steel wool...

Ram that doesn't work correctly or shows errors doesn't necessarily mean that it's faulty, no good, junk! It may mean that it is simply not compatible with your type of motherboard. Place it in other brands of boards and it may be fine. That's why it is important when a person buys memory, that the manufacturer of the memory specifically states that it will work in your brand of motherboard or has an unconditional guarantee that it will work.

[mebkc]

the only issue I have w/ that is that it's going from working great in one intel motherboard, to not working very well in another intel motherboard. they're both intel.

[garnet_abx]

Originally posted by mebkc
the only issue I have w/ that is that it's going from working great in one intel motherboard, to not working very well in another intel motherboard. they're both intel.

If the two Intel motherboards have different chipsets, then they are very different, regardless of being the same brand. All that said, it still could be that your motherboard is at fault. Hopefully when you install the new memory, you'll find out for certain.

[mebkc]

ok. I'll wait until I get my memory in. then I'll let you know how it worked. also, thanks for the links on understanding CAS. now I just have one last memory question. how do you read that 2/2/2/5/8 or however people always post when talking about the performance of their ram?