Bad Neo2 Platinum or Misconfigured?

[imported_phantompower]

I have been a lurker for a couple years now and have found unbelievable knowledge here. Most times, I have actually found the answers to my problems from the others who have had similar if not exact problems. Last night, I hit a snag with the build of my new PC that I have not been able to find here on the boards.

After installing everything in my new PC:

Althon 64 3500+ (90nm)
MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum
1GB OCZ Dual Channel EL (2 x DIMM)
2 x 160GB Barracuda SATA drives (RAID 0)
ATI x800 XT (not PE)
Audigy2 ZS Platinum

When installing the OCZ memory in the slots one and two, I had long beeps on power on - and a LED readout indication that the memory was not detected. I tried slots 1 and 3 - same result. I tried just slot 1 - same result. I tried just slot 2 - same result. I tried slot 3 - it worked. I tried slots 3 & 4 - it worked again (and is how it is in my PC now running at 200MHz (DDR400). My motherboard came with version 1.2 of the bios. I used LiveUpdate to bring the bios level to 1.3 which I did successfully, however, the memory was still not detected in any manner - in slots 1 and 2.

Am I to conclude the DIMM slots 1 and 2 and faulty on the board, or have I somehow misconfigured this - or asked the impossible of the mobo?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Chuck

 

[Icepick]

I got a similar error condition when I first installed my board. When I powered the system up I got an error condition where the memory was not detected. It turned out that I had a loose screw lodged underneath the motherboard that must have shorted something out. Once I removed the screw, the board worked as it should.

The fact that the board did not detect the memory with only one stick in slot 1 is disturbing. I'm using the same memory as you and I got the system to boot on BIOS version 1.2 with only one stick in slot 1. Since upgrading to v1.3 I'm now able to run dual channel in slots 1 & 2.

Just to be sure we're on the same page, slot 1 is closest to the CPU mount and slot 4 is at the top, near the edge of the board.

I would suggest removing the motherboard from the case and inspecting both it and the case to ensure there are no shorts or any foriegn objects that could cause shorts. Then reinstall it.

If you still can't get slots 1&2 working then you might have a defective DIMM slot on the board and may want to consider RMA'ing it before the return period expires.

 

[imported_phantompower]

Hey there. Thanks for the response. I have started the RMA process with ZipZoomFly. I will doublecheck for any screws and the like that might be causing it.

And to confirm your assessment, slot 1 is the one closest to the CPU (by my interpretation as well) and slot 4 is near the edge.

I do think my issue is faulty mobo because of some of the basics that have not worked in my trouble-shooting efforts.

Thanks again for the response.

 

[bomax]

Remember you put one stick in the purple, one in blue.