Memory Hell

[DerekBaker]

After flashing my BIOS yesterday my machine was unstable. Traced it today to some sort of memory problem: BIOS - K8N Neo Platinum - wouldn't complete the memory check (have it disabled normally, so didn't pick up the problem immediately).

Problem was always at very top of memory, so took out one of my DIMMs (Crucial). Problem persisted. Swapped for the other one - same problem.

Got out old RAM (Corsair Value Select) - same problem.

It doesn't appear to be the DIMMs, unless all four have developed the same problem simultaneously.

MemTest+ gives the memory the all clear, but reports various strange settings: 130 Mhz and 2.5-2-2-6 after one boot, 157Mhz 2.5-3-3-7 after the next - both with RAM set to auto.

If I set the RAM manually (200Mhz 3-3-3-8) I get the same problem.

Thinking it a BIOS problem, I reflashed with the BIOS that had been running flawlessly since last year, then tried the latest one - no joy either way.

Any ideas - apart from a new motherboard?

Thanks

 

[acegazda]

Well, memtest+ doesn't lie, so I would get on the phone with MSI, they have responsive customer service and have them RMA it (rather, have the vendor RMA it) and see if the problem persists. MSI boards usually are great with RAM, no issues.... I'm kinda surprised.

 

[DerekBaker]

If MemTest+ is right, that mean the BIOS is lying. But if I let it run - after a few fails it can get though - the machine will be unstable; it reboots after only a few minutes in Windows.

Too late for an RMA: had the board since Aug 04.

 

[DerekBaker]

It was the mobo. Goodbye to MSI for me - brought an ASUS K8N that was available from a local store and all is well.

Thanks for the reply.