Got my new Core 2 Duo 3ghz, Having some problems

[ctal]

Yes, Rickwell is right, you set the memory timings to settings that are faster than the memory can handle, at least at the voltage it is set for.

Sometimes just turning the system off for a while (say 15 minutes, preferably with the covers off), so that it cools off, and then turning it on (more than once if necessary) will allow you to get into the bios and change the settings.

If not, then use the procedure that Rickwell linked to, which is referred to as "clear cmos." That clears out all of the settings you have made, and restores default settings, so that you can get into the bios and re-do your own settings. When you do apply the clear cmos jumper, be sure that the computer is unplugged from ac power (not just turned off), or the mobo can be damaged.

-- Al

[ctal]

I just looked a little further at the link that Rickwell provided. It looks like Intel does things a little differently than other boardmakers, and clear cmos is not implemented with the jumper, just by removing the battery (and ac power), and leaving it that way for 15 minutes. The jumper appears to do other things. What you want to do is clear cmos, so follow the instructions in that section, which do not involve the jumper.

-- Al

[plainman007]

Rickwell > Thanks a lot for the info. Interesting links.

Ctal > I got the system back and working. Called a technician who told me the 3 beeps was a memory error. So i tried all combinations. Removing and refitting the ram chips one by one etc. It seems rick was right about the memory timings and i knew it too since i was guilty for meddling with that. However i was lucky to have 2 new 800mhz 1 gb ram sticks lying around. So i removed all the 667mhz ones which i wrongly timed and put 1 of these new sticks in and it booted fine. Then i went into bios and retimed lower. The started adding the 667mhz ones one by one and the system was fine and identified them. Then i removed the 800Mhz stick. And im up and running now, thanks to you and everyone else here who chimed in.

My memory timings are back to 5-5-5-15.
Can you tell me how to increase the timing safely. I actually entered 7-7-7-21 . Based on GUESS WORK. lol. Which started the problem. Now they are all back and i would like to do this correctly.
The sticker on the ram chip says 5-5-5. 667Mhz.
Can you please guide me. The problem is because im seeing performance thats a little lower than my previous Dual Core 3.4 Ghz (Pentium D). Applications taking a little longer to load/open up. Etc.

[ctal]

Glad you got up and running!

The time required for applications to open is usually constrained by the hard drive. Have you defragmented the drive since installing all the software following the upgrade? Or did you not re-install the software after the upgrade, and just use the previous installation (re-activating with Microsoft?), which would raise some additional possibilities to think about?

Also, you'll often find that the second and subsequent times that you open a program is much faster than the first time (assuming the system has been powered up the whole time), due to what's called pre-fetch caching in memory (which stores some program files in memory to accelerate subsequent re-openings).

Re the memory timings, if you are running 5-5-5-15 I doubt that is the major cause of the slowness you are sensing. Look in the SPD tab of CPU-Z, which will show you a list of the timings that the memory is rated for. There may be more than one listing, at different voltages and speeds. You can generally run at faster timings by raising the memory voltage somewhat, if the motherboard has provision for that, but you have to stay within the maximum rating specified by the manufacturer (which should be findable at the manufacturer's website, and might be referred to as "evp"). It might also be helpful if you posted the exact part number of the memory here, and we could take a look at its specs ourselves.

Regards,
-- Al

Edit: Re 7-7-7-21, keep in mind that lower numbers for RAM timings = faster! If you couldn't boot at 7-7-7-21, I'm not sure why, unless for some reason the motherboard or bios is incompatible with such slow timings.

[plainman007]

Ctal > Hi, This is a complete fresh install. C: was completely formatted and XP installed afresh. The other 2 drives which mostly has HD video footage was not involved in anyway with the main system upgrade. They were unplugged. And replugged in when the OS was up and running on the new rig. Thanks i never knew lower nos meant faster. Can u suggest some nos i can try. If you running a similar board what are your mem timings running at ?
Yes. I did a complete defrag of all 3 physical drives once the entire rig was up. I usually do a defrag even if windows suggests its not needed. Is this good or bad ?

[ctal]

Originally Posted by plainman007

Ctal > Hi, This is a complete fresh install. C: was completely formatted and XP installed afresh. The other 2 drives which mostly has HD video footage was not involved in anyway with the main system upgrade. They were unplugged. And replugged in when the OS was up and running on the new rig. Thanks i never knew lower nos meant faster. Can u suggest some nos i can try. If you running a similar board what are your mem timings running at ?
Yes. I did a complete defrag of all 3 physical drives once the entire rig was up. I usually do a defrag even if windows suggests its not needed. Is this good or bad ?

In answer to your last question, yes, that's good. I've formed the opinion that the "suggestions" offered by the XP defragmenter allow drives to become too highly fragmented before recommending defragmentation.

My systems are not similar. As I suggested, look at the spd listings in cpu-z, look at the manufacturer's data sheet, and if possible post the part number here so we can look at it. If NewEgg sells that memory, you can also look at the user comments on it there, where people may indicate what timings they've been able to run it at with stable results.

Regards,
-- Al

[plainman007]

Ctal > I have a screen grab of the cpu-z, spd panel. How do i post the image here plz ?

[ctal]

Use the attachment function. It looks like a paperclip, located among the icons that are above the "reply" box.

-- Al

[plainman007]

Hi, I tried that and its asking for a hyperlink. Which means i have to host this image somehere on the web. I dont have any such facility or know how.

[zman88]

Did you save it to your computer? Save it on your desktop. When you reply you'll see a little paper clip up top and when you hit it a "manage attachments window" should come up. Use the browse button to locate the file then hit upload.

[ctal]

Yes, you're probably using the "insert image" link. Use the "attachments" link that looks like a paperclip.

If that still gives you only a hyperlink box, it might be because you don't have a sufficient number of posts. In that case I'd suggest PM'ing a moderator and asking if they can do something to help. Or else just describe what the indications are in words -- it's not too complex a page.

-- Al

[k0NG0]

With 63 posts that should mean there's no problem in that regard.

[plainman007]

Hi, I noticed this on the left side of the reply window.

Posting Rules
You may post new threads
You may post replies
You may not post attachments
You may edit your posts


It says i may NOT post attachments. No wonder theres no paper clip.
Because i hit 63 posts im allowed to use smileys. Unless the moderator takes pity on me and grants me the facility to do so.

[k0NG0]

Oh snap!

But you should be able to use a free image host, put the image there and just use [img]-tags. Flickr, Imageshack or whatever.

[plainman007]

Just out of curiousity ,,,how many posts must one complete to be able to post images ?