Lots of BSODs

[BigGreenMat]

Like many here I have been attempting to get my A8N SLI up and running correctly. So far my biggest problems appears to be in my OS, however it might be my hard drive causing the OS problems. Basically Windows seems unable to install without files being corrupt. Only once have I had a seemingly clean install. Anyway once booted my computer tends to spit out a number of BSODs. In particular are: IRQ_NOT_EQUAL_OR_LESS or something like that and the other is RFN_LIST_INCORRECT or something similar. Does anyone know what these mean or what part might be causing them. I am quite sure my CPU and Memory are working correctly as the CPU has been PRIME95 tested and worked fine and my memory passed MEMTEST86 fine. My HD is a 300gb Maxtor 16MB SATAII, and my ROM drive is an NEC 3500A. Anyone help out?

 

[ColKurtz]

For the most part, the specific trap information is fairly useless. If it continually fails with the same driver/dll that should give you a clue (ie if your BSOD keeps referencing ATIxxx.dll you should focus on video drivers, etc). If it fails randomly, at different times and places doing different things then it is likely memory, CPU, or mobo problem (just b/c it passes diags doesn't definitively mean its OK - your OS stresses hardware more than most diags). HDD could possibly be the problem, but IME HDD errors are usually easier to spot - the errors are more obvious - like "error reading drive X", etc.

You didn't say which OS you're installing. Try another OS - if it's XP try 98 or Linux and vice versa. Also, swap out any components that you are able. If you have an old crappy IDE drive try that. take out half your ram, etc. Intermittent problems are the most difficult to solve.

Good luck.

 

[frogger9]

The infamous IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL... That is usually caused by one of two things: drivers or faulty hardware. I experienced this one occassionally when I was building my new MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum based system. CPU and memory both tested fine in Prime95, memtest86, and cpuburn. Tried every driver I could get my hands on, still got the BSOD sometimes.

Eventually what solved it for me was moving my memory from slots 3 & 4 to slots 1 & 2. I have no idea why this was causing a problem in Windows but not in memtest86. Since switching the memory to the different slots it's been rock solid.

Just trying to give some more ideas. In your case it could very well be something entirely different causing problems Just keep in mind that memtest86 isn't always a 100% accurate test of CPU/Memory/Motherboard stability, so you'll probably want to do some swapping out if you can.

 

[drag]

I know that with AMD64 machines memory can be a b1tch. I built a machine with some corsair value ram (which I've used on numerous other occasions with perfect stability.) and it has a very hard time with it.

Next time I build a machine I will only use the "certified works" memory in the motherboard.


First problem is that I goofed and stuck the ram in slots 3 and 4. I did it because they were farther away from the CPU and thought about heat. This was a mistake because with the AMD64 machines you can only use slots 1 and 2 for 400mhz (ddr) speed memory. Slot 4 is for 333mhz memory only.

Then after that was done it ran stable for a while then started crashing during doom3 sessions. Ran memtest86 and it came up with errors after a couple hours of running. Took out the 'bad' RAM and then it ran perfectly stable. Once I got the replacement back I tested it with both banks full and it ran fine.

for a while...

Then it started crashing again. Tried reinstalling the OS. No dice.

Then I ran memtest again (for the 40th time) and figured out that whatever stick of ram that was stuck in slot one would give up errors after a while, but when I stuck it in slot 2 it was perfect. The ram that I returned was still good after all... and that pissed me off.

Underclocking to 333mhz fixed it and it's perfectly stable.

From now on I don't plan to use anything less then a motherboard that supports ECC ram and use high quality and certified RAM from now on in AMD64 machines.