Dual Channel Memory Problems with Asus A8V

[ghent56]

Hello all,

I just finished assembling my new system (see specs). I am having trouble getting my dual sticks of Corsair CMX512-3200C2 to boot up with my Asus A8V mobo. Unlike many of the other posts I've read on this, my memory is actually on the very short list of supported RAM, so I'm doubly confused. Whenever I try a dual-channel setup I get Betty telling me I'm trying to overclock my CPU and I have no video.

The situation is as follows (A1 and B1 are the blue DIMM slots): I cannot boot up with memory in slots A1 and B1 (this is the ideal dual-channel setup), nor in A1 and A2, nor with a single stick in A1. I can however boot up with no problems with a single stick in B1 or with two sticks in B1 and B2. I've checked my BIOS, played around with CAS settings and the like, but to no avail. I've read on other posts about a setting for enabling dual-channel in the BIOS, but I don't see anything about that.

One final thing, and I'm not sure if it matters - when I do one of the two setups that work (B1 or B1/B2), I get a POST message warning me that my overclocking has failed, but at least in this instance I have video, and the next time I reboot I don't see the message again until I physically reconfigure the RAM. PLEASE HELP ME GET MY NEW DREAM MACHINE WORKING BEFORE COLLEGE! :frown:

-----------

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 2200MHz
Motherboard: Abit A8V Deluxe
Memory: 1024 MB of Corsair PC3200 DDR (2x CMX512-3200C2)
Video Card: Nvidia Ti 4200 GeForce 4
Hard Drive: 2x Western Digital 74gb SATA Raptor (Raid 0) 148.0 GB @ 10000 RPMS
Additional Hard Drives: Western Digital 250gb ATA Caviar (8mb cache)
Monitor: Dell 19" Flat CRT
DVD R/W: Plextor PX712-A
Storage Interface: IDE,SATA-RAID
Sound Card: Integrated (Realtek '97)
Speakers: Bose 2.1
Internet Connection: Cox Cable
Operating System: WinXP Pro
Power Supply: Antec 550w True Power

 

[mechBgon]

Set the memory voltage to 2.7 volts and then do a Save & Exit. Let the system go completely through its next POST cycle, so it knows that those settings are ok to keep. Now shut it off, add the rest of the memory, and fire it up. LMK if that works.

 

[ghent56]

No luck. I've messed around with voltage and clock speed and still no video. I don't know much about CAS speeds, so I haven't messed with those, but the mobo has an Auto setting so I assume they're correct. I also haven't looked into any BIOS updates yet, but considering the RAM is on the accepted list, it seems like it should work as-is. Let me know of any other ideas. Thanks!!

 

[mechBgon]

If there is a 1T Command Rate item in the memory-timings page, try setting it to Disabled and let it ride out another complete POST so it knows to keep the setting, then shut down and add your second memory module again. Trying to run 1T on my K8N-E Deluxe resulted in it needing its CMOS cleared, but my CPU is older and that is the result I was expecting.

 

[ghent56]

There is not 1T Command Rate item, but there is a 2T. I tried changing that from Auto to Disabled, to no affect. Any other ideas? Sorry it took me so long to reply - i was out of town for a week and then i was having problems the last two days with the javascript involved in the reply box. Don't give up on me!!

 

[sepecat]

I've been having exactly the same problem using two 64x64 DIMMs of Kingston memory on the short list, and I already tried swapping out with other memory on the list and installing both sets in my A7N8X Deluxe box in dual channel mode successfully, so I can be very sure the memory is not the problem. I also ran tests using Memtest86+, and I noticed that when running two modules in single channel mode (B1 and B2 populated) they will only run at 100 Mhz (DDR200) instead of 200 Mhz (DDR400). Trying to force DDR400 causes a no-boot, no-POST situation. Running with a single module in B1 at DDR400 works fine.

I contacted Asus about this some time ago and got a very useless reply yesterday suggesting I send the board back to my vendor (Zipzoomfly). Nothing in the message addressed my issue, so I have a feeling it's a boilerplate letter sent to anyone with a motherboard problem. I also find it disturbing that the Asus NetQ forums have been shut down indefinitely for "maintenance"; are they trying to suppress negative comments? I've replied that I need another solution because I built the system for a business and they cannot be down while we wait for the board to be exchanged and shipped. I'll let you know if I get anywhere- good luck!

Also- my board is pcb rev. 1.02 and BIOS 1006. I tried flashing to 1006.006 beta but it didn't matter. I'm wondering if anyone with the 2.x pcb revision boards has had this problem- please reply if you have. Thanks!

 

[AtomSmasher]

I've got a rev 2.0 board & I've got OCZ pc3200EB memory in it running fine. I did have Corsair XMS3500 (2 x 512MB) in it for a while. Passed memtest & appeared to work fine in dual channel mode. In general I think the AMD memory controllers (built into the chips) are pretty sensitive to memory types. I had a Gigabyte socket 939 board that wouldn't run with either Corsair or Kinston Hyper-X memory. Had to buy the Asus & the OCZ before everything stabilized.

Search the forums over at amdmb.com. Someone there might have run into the same problem as you.

 

[mabc]

Hello guys,

God, not good that I have found someone with the same problems I have.

Just put together my A8V with a AMD 3500+ and using 2x512 XMS corsair sticks the board does not boot up on the dual channel config. Using and alternating both on the B1 slot works fine, which proves both sticks are just f-i-n-e!
Funny I didn't manage to get it working on B1 B2 slots, but I will try again.
I have just e-mailed Asus about it.

I will keep the search and let you know if I have found anything about it.

M

 

[microbiz]

I have just built 2 A8V delux Rev 2 systems, one wih a 32mb graphics 4x card and one with a Albatron FX5900XTV 8x card
Both are
AMD 64 3500+ (939)
160MB SATA
1 GB DDR 400 Ram
The 1st one all went fine as it was for a server , the second is a nightmare.

Does anyone one have information as to why these A8V boards are having so many issues with the graphic cards. I have read many forums and it seems to be widespread.

I have tried all the suggestions mentioned around the planet but still have not found an answer.

I actually got the system up and running and installed SP2 finally and now the it will not get past the first graphics bios info. Its completely dead now with either the blank screen or the Video bios info.

Asus dont seem to reply to emails on this subject. I also read others saying the same thing.
This isn't just a problem with my graphics card , heaps are doing the same thing.

Clearing the bios seemed to help originally but it doesen't now.

Any help would be appreciated

Paul
PS I have pasted this from a new topic I staretd b4 seeing this thread
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...3235&enterthread=y

 

[sepecat]

You've got some pretty power-hungry components in there- what type of power supply is in your system?

 

[microbiz]

Hi

Its a Chieftec 400W

Cheers
Paul

PS since first posting this, I have had my FX5900XTV Cards tested and you know the answer,
They showed up errors , so any one else having a similar problem should change the graphics card first IMHO.

The system in question is all sweet now, goes like a cut cat

 

[GabeyD]

I'm having the exact same problem. I can't even POST with two DIMMS, but one seems to work fine (though I was getting a ton of MemTest86 errors on just one for a while, but somehow I got past that).

If I boot just one DIMM in B1, it works fine. If I put one in A1 and B1, I get nothing. Both DIMMs check out fine on their own, and are actually part of a dual channel kit. They are Mushkin Green (Basic).

Anyone get this fixed?

 

[GabeyD]

Well, I got it working. Somehow, my memory errors with 1 DIMM went away, and I was able to run MemTest86 without errors. Then, I flashed the BIOS to 107 and Dual started working. Ran MemTest over night without any errors on Dual.

Strange that a Bios update fixed the problem.

 

[sepecat]

Excellent! I was hoping a BIOS fix might get released.

GabeyD, where did you get the version 107 BIOS file? I checked asus.com today and I still only see the old 1006 release and the 1006.006 beta. Thanks!

 

[sepecat]

Nevermind- I found it It's on ftp but not the website for all those interested:

ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS...a8v-deluxe/A8V1007.zip

Hope this works for everyone!

 

[Kruse]

Does this bios update seem to fix it? Im curious because Im thinking about getting this board.

 

[Kruse]

bump...so what did that bios updae do?

 

[sepecat]

Sorry, I won't find out if it works on my client's board until I can visit him during Thanksgiving break

 

[gumba]

I am haveing the same prob A1 and B1 is a no go . B1 is a go. B1 and B2 is a go. I wonder if B1 and A2 would work or how about A2 and B2?. Anyway I will try the bios update and let you know. I have a gig of the corsair value select sticks. They are on the compatabilty list so I too and baffled

 

[gumba]

Went to the website to get bios 1007 and the only server that seems up is the china one. As long as it works I don't care were it came from at this point

 

[gumba]

It worked It worked I am happy again. People If you are having problem download bios update 1007 and update

 

[hawkinsa21]

Hi Gumba, after flashing your BIOS, did you mean that you could run your memory in Dual Channel?

I've flashed my BIOS with the 1007 version, and I still get the 'system failure due to CPU overclocking' as I did before when trying to run my memory in A1 and B1 (the Dual Channels)

Cheers

Al

 

[gumba]

Yes the bios flash allowed me to run b1 a1 dual channel mode with no prob

 

[eagle101]

im having the excact same problem b1 b2 good but single channel
tried every combination i just got 3200 plat rev2 ocz
i have 1008.002 bios.....so the 1007 bios is a go
just for the record running dual channel will be the 2 "blue" dimm slots correct?
thanks

 

[eagle101]

lets say the dual channel gets working a1 b1-
ive been using b1 only 1 stick 3700eb ocz
now i just got 3200 plat rev2 ocz /bios 1008.002/it updated from the 1007
what will dual channel do, that single channel wont do..................?