2x512mb PC3200 Mushkin memory help please

[worcmai]

Ok basically, I just upgraded from 2x256 Corsair XMS PC3000 C2 which ran completely fine at 2.5-3-3-6 200FSB @ default voltage on my Barton 3200+ 400FSB CPU and my A7N8X-E Deluxe motherboard in Windows XP Pro SP2. Now I bought 2x512 Mushkin PC3200(from newegg 512x2 dual pack which claims it is 2.5-3-3-*), so I installed it and set the timings at 2.5-3-3-7 then ran a bootable dos memtest86+ and it passed flawlessly(20 min test, no errors). So I figure yay, I'll leave it how it is.

However I left the comp on and went to sleep, next day I woke up the computer was bluescreened, so I rebooted and it went in fine.. till I tried to load up a game and it would immediately bluescreen/reboot quickly, then I couldn't even get into the O/S without a "missing o/s files error" or without bluescreening right when I would get into the o/s. So I lowered the timings to "Optimal" which set them to 3-4-4-8, and I finally was able to get into the O/S after windows repaired files, and (maybe went back a few days?). No I didn't use go-back but the only reason I say that is because it seemed like it restored my computer to a few days back because I was missing a couple recent programs.

So after all that I figured it should run stable now and that newegg is lying about the timings for the memory. However I still get bluescreens at the Optimal timings selection, just quite rare, I believe the last one I got was right after I opened Outlook, then outlook crashed on my quickly, and immediately after I got a bluescreen. Then I kinda figured, what should I do? Raise the voltage a bit on my memory? Turn the FSB Sprectrum off(which I just did 2 seconds ago)? RMA the memory? Then I figured hmm, I've seen issues that were caused by memory stability completely ruining an O/S's stability and having to just do a fresh format at stable settings afterwards and everything should be gravy then?

Also I ran a CPU-Z report on my memory and these are the results for each memory stick

SPD Timings Table

Frequency 166MHZ | 200MHZ
CAS# Latency 2.5 | 3.0
RAS# to CAS# 4 | 4
RAS# Precharge 4 | 4
TRas# 7 | 8
(sorry for the retarded looking table)


So is what that table saying that my memory is by default 3.0-4-4-8 at 200FSB? And that the memory can only run 2.5-4-4-7 at 166MHZ?

Some advice please? I'd like to get this memory running stable at 2.5-3-3-(7 or 8) as newegg advertised.

 

[Zebo]

What PSU? I just taking a stab here but my guess is...weak 3 volts rail...

 

[worcmai]

Thermaltake 420w PSU

 

[Zebo]

it really sounds psu related... see when your running and passing memtest you system not under any stress (but memory) but when booted in full windows, doing things your graphics, on-board controllers, CPU, everything really is sucking juice potentially taking away from dimm.

Remeber 2x256 was only using ~11A, now you're using around 22A just mem from 3.3...


List all comp specs please.

btw if you hav'nt already try raising vdimm.. also do you have a mulimeter?

 

[worcmai]

Video: Leadtek FX5900
Audio: SB Audigy 2 ZS
Disks: 1x60gb IDE WD, 1x160gb SATA Seagate, 1x120gb IDE WD, 1 floppy, 1 DVD+-RW, 1 DVDrom
6 case fans
Vantec 3.5 van controller
xp3200+ barton 400fsb
A7N8X-E Deluxe mobo
56kmodem
leaktek winfast expert TV tuner

I think thats about it...

 

[Zebo]

I'm sticking with PSU. aud, modem and FX5900 use some, albeit little 3.3 putting you over edge IMO... if you have multimeter test lines orange and black while in windows... otherwise try another PSU if you have laying about...

 

[worcmai]

After yet another bluescreen, I couldn't get into the o/s at all so I tried my other PSU (400W Allied) and I still couldn't get into the o/s I kept getting bluescreens etc.
Sigh... I'm going to have to format it looks like to even get anywhere, I think I'll try that after I put my 420W Thermaltake back in and see where that goes, also I tried with 1 stick of ram only and I got the same end result...

Also I don't have a multimeter

 

[worcmai]

^ ideas?

 

[SrGuapo]

I am using the mushkin RAM and I have been having no problems. It is OCed to 220 MHz now at 2.5-3-3 without problems. I had it at 240 before in windows, but I doubt it would have passed memtest...

Unless you just got a bad batch, I doubt it is issues with the RAM's. I don't know much about hardware troubleshooting, but I hope this could help you narrow down the problem.

I am using an antec TruePower 480, so it is possible that you PSU is a bit weak...

Edit: Have you tried each stick individually? Also, have you put your corsair back in to make sure it is the mushkin?

 

[worcmai]

I just got done trying to reformat with only 1 stick of the Mushkin ram, AND both of my IDE hard drives unplugged(no power going to them). And yet again just after formatting, I went for the windows update and I bluescreened with an error along the lines of "win3k.sys" causing it or something. Now I would think if it was a power issue, disconnecting my other discs and only using 1 stick would eliminate that problem...

No I sold my Corsair ram, so I cannot test that but, I do have a 256 pc3200 Geil laying around here somewhere which I suppose I could try(but if its a power issue that wont be telling me much). First I'm going to run a memtest86+ from dos again with just 1 stick in at "optimal" memory timings and both HDD's disconnected to see how that goes.

Anyone else have any ideas?

Also I checked my 3.3v rail in bios and it was running at about 3.4~ so I'm not sure how much that could raise/drop in the o/s or not.

Is it possible this memory just doesn't like my A7N8X-E Deluxe motherboard? I can always go for 2x512 Geil memory. Or my other option is ordering a higher wattage PSU, and if thats the case, what should I get, that is fairly cheap?

 

[worcmai]

I just ran a memtest86+ from dos using just 1 stick of 512 and both of my IDE discs still disconnected, and my first one came up with about 760 errors, then I went into bios and changed the following settings.
1. Turned on FSB Spectrum(0.50%)
2. Turned off "auto" for my memory frequency and set it to "By SPD"

Then I rebooted and ran the test again... no errors this time. Hmm odd. So I messed around with various memory settings in bios to make sure I wouldn't get errors, I even set my settings back to the exact ones that came up with 760~ errors and I still am passing memtest86+ with no errors.

I'm really at a loss, this doesn't make any sense whatsoever.

But my only guess is bad/unstable memory... what would you people recommend, just a RMA for the exact same sticks again, or get a refund and go for the Geil dual pack 2x512 from newegg?

I was going to try running the FSB/memory underclocked to 166mhz(333 DDR) and see how that runs...

*edit I just got 6 errors in memtest86+ with the following settings.
1. Turned on FSB Spectrum(0.50%)
2. Turned off "auto" for my memory frequency and set it to "By SPD"
3. Everything else is set to optimal

*edit I'm trying 1 stick at a time, and it looks like only 1 stick is bad, the other is fine... I guess I'm going to RMA these though... any recommendations on what I should get? Take my chances with the same stuff (better timings) or get the geil from newegg(slower timings)?

 

[worcmai]

Looks like I have it figured out... see previous message