This Crucial memory sucks!

[kylef]

Recently I purchased a stick of PC133 CAS2 ECC memory. I just popped it in my system and it won't POST when I set my memory timing to CL=2.

I have a FIC PA-2013 motherboard, which only runs at 100 Mhz bus speed.

So I'm only pushing the memory to 100 Megahertz, 2 cycle latency. The memory that I purchased is a 256 meg DIMM PC 133 CAS2 with ECC!

Shouldn't that work?

The only way I can get the system to post is to reduce the latency to 3. Why would that be the case?

No, I am not overclocking ANYTHING.

Seems to me like I should return this memory and get my money back.

 

[Vinny N]

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?model=PA-2013&x=23&y=19

According to Crucial's I don't know how you came to purchase that particular memory module for the PA-2013...
It is not one of the supported ones.

 

[Boonesmi]

does your motherboard support ecc?
and if it does im curious why you would want ecc memory? unless your running a server or something i dont think there is much use. and ecc is slower then just plain unbuffered non parity memory

 

[duke]

Here's the product spec for the mobo in question.

 

[cocokrisp]

Why in the world did u buy ECC memory??

 

[bgskier]

a) why would u buy ECC
b) why the hell did u buy 133 when u have a 100 board....u are just asking for trouble
c) if you buy from crucial, all u do is pick the motherboard you own and it gives u a list of all the compatible chips

 

[Turbopit]

Why attack the company when it was your d&*(*(*azz that bought the wrong stuff?



I've got Crucial running great!

 

[yllus]

You know, this doesn't sound like a problem with the chip at all. My guess is that you're having problems with more than one stick of RAM installed in your computer at a time. Try popping out your old stick of RAM and try CAS2 with just the Crucial stick.

I know, I know, you were able to run at CAS2 with your old stick as well. But RAM is funky like that - just try it and see what happens.

 

[Philly C]

You bought the wrong kind of RAM.

 

[Pederv]

I wouldn't trust the MVP3 chipset to run 256MB sticks. I've filled all 3 slots on my 503+, MVP3g5, 1590, 1598 with 128MB stick's.

 

[JackBurton]

Uhhh, I'm going with Pederv on this one. It looks like it is not a matter of PC133 vs PC100 or ECC vs Non-ECC, I think it is that your mobo has a problem with 256MB sticks. I know it said it will support up to 768MB (3 X 256), but when you get the compatible modules from Crucial, it doesn't list ANY 256MB sticks. Hey, I just ordered the EXACT same memory from Crucial today. I have an Asus P3B-F and it supports up to a gig of ram but when I go to Crucial it show that it supports 256MB PC100/PC133 non-ECC ram and 256MB PC100 ECC ram but NO 256MB PC133 ECC CAS2 ram. I just bought it because there is NO reason why PC100 ECC would work and PC133 ECC wouldn't if you are running your FSB at 100MHz (which I am right now). I got PC133 just incase I needed to push my processor to 133MHz FSB in the future.

Oh, and I got ECC because that stuff is REALLY expensive normally and hey, error check and correction adds to the stabilty of my machine. I want this thing to be so stable that it would take an act of God to take it down.

 

[conlan]

>>>>>>I want this thing to be so stable that it would take an act of God to take it down. <<<<<<<< lol!! good one jack


kylef..... where did you buy the ram???? sounds like they sold you the wrong part#

 

[kylef]

Wow, thanks for all the replies! Use a controversial subject line and look at all the replies

Ok, first of all: to those who say it's MY fault for buying the WRONG memory, YOU need a lesson in memory standards, friends. The memory I bought should (according to all specs involved) work A-OK in my motherboard. PC133 memory is designed to be PERFECTLY backwards-compatible with 100 Mhz bus speeds!

I appreciate the honest suggestion NOT to use the 256 meg stick in the PA-2013. I was running a generic stick of PC133 CAS2 in it before without a hitch. I didn't think using a 256 meg stick would be a problem, seeing as the motherboard manual says they are supported.

It's NOT a problem with &quot;another stick&quot; conflicting with my settings: the Crucial 256 meg DIMM is the only one inserted right now, and I've tried it in all three DIMM slots.

For those who wonder why in h*ll I purchased ECC memory, let me just say that I SHOULDN'T have to answer that question. It's my preference, since my motherboard &quot;supports&quot; it! If you must know, I use this box to perform critical Matlab simulations with strict correctness criteria. Mostly solving huge sets of linear equations. I don't want an un-caught memory error to cause lots of headaches in my research!

Thanks again for the replies. It sounds like I may need a new motherboard...

Kyle

 

[John]

According to Crucial's recommendation you shouldn't run ECC in that board.

 

[kylef]

John:

Where did you hear that? According to Crucial's page that comes up when you select memory modules, they list many ECC modules. I searched through the entire FAQ and didn't find anything mentioning my model or motherboard chipset.

However, I've been looking around and I've only found a few boards that list the module I purchased as an option! What gives? Does that mean that this module I bought is quirky, and only works with a few manufacturers? I was under the impression that I was buying high quality memory here...

I've tried in a couple other motherboards (Asus P5A and Gigabyte GA-6vx7-4x) with similar results. Doesn't that suggest that the memory module is flawed, and not 3 different implementations of motherboard chipsets? I mean, the P5A uses Ali Aladdin 5, PA-2013 uses Via Mvp3, and Giga-byte GA6VX7-4x uses the Apollo Pro 133a. Surely these are mainstream chipsets!

I'm stumped, puzzled, and frustrated. Will Crucial give me money back if I want to return it?

 

[odog]

i'd suggest RMA it and get another... they'll prolly overnight you another stick anyway

 

[blackhawk]

Its great memory. Could be your mb chipset. They might take it back.

 

[ElFenix]

that module is not listed here. no 256 meg stick is. its possible that every 256 meg stick they now sell is higher density than that motherboard can handle, and you had a lower density stick in there before. just a guess. although it probably should work with the apollo pro. maybe its needs registered DIMMs? theres NO ECC SDRAM listed there either. there is ECC EDO listed, though. maybe the chipset simply does not support ECC SDRAM?

 

[Cherrypez]

User problem. No doubt.

 

[kylef]

<< User problem. No doubt. >>



I resent that!

I've messed with LOTS of systems before. Of course, I've messed UP lots of systems before also...

I'm going to speak with a Crucial tech rep on Monday and see what he/she suggests. I actually like Crucial memory, despite how this entire thread has sounded so far. But I still find this incompatibility a little funny...

Does anyone else have a Crucial 256 meg CAS2 ECC stick running on their mobo at spec?

Kyle

 

[JackBurton]

<< maybe its needs registered DIMMs? >>


Whoa, you don't put registered ram in a machine that doesn't call for it. Registered SDRAM has the notch moved slightly to one side and will NOT fit in normal mobos. You'll need a serevr board that calls for the type of memory specifically.

And as for the memory you bought, like I said, I just bought the EXACT same memory for my P3B-F mobo. I ordered it on Friday so it should be here Tuesday. I'll let you know if I can run that bad boy at least at a FSB of 100MHz and the CAS setting of 2-2-2 with ECC. Now as far as Crucial is concerned, this specific memory is not recommended for my boad but I'm betting it will work just fine. You gotta love those BX boards. I'm telling you dude, if you go Intel, get an Intel chipset.

 

[sparks]

According to Crucial's database none of the motherboards you mentioned, FIX PA-2013, Asus P5A and Gigabyte GA-6vx7-4x, supports the memory you purchased. You should just RMA it and buy the exact module you need.

 

[Adul]

BTW, you can not mix ecc with normal SDRAM. It will not work.

 

[SammyBoy]

I'm not gonna say it was your fault to buy this stuff...like everyone else is saying. I was just wondering why you would want ECC memory in your system. Even in a server why exactly is ECC neccessary?

 

[kylef]

Adul: this is the ONLY stick in my system. I am not mixing it with anything. But thanks for the tip anyway, I'm sure that others have tried

JackBurton: I'd have to agree with you about the Intel on Intel mobo situation. I've had nothing but bad luck with this Via MVP3 chipset. First my 3dfx Voodoo3 card wouldn't work and was later determined to be incompatible with this motherboard, then Win2k wouldn't install in ACPI mode properly, et cetera... what headaches!

SammyBoy: there's a good article on ECC memory at Corsair's site. Here is the link.

Sparks: Thanks for the help. I realize they're not listed, but you see, I *really* want a CAS2 stick of PC133 memory that is ECC, and Crucial doesn't list one for ANY of my boards... Does that mean they've actually tested them, or do they just put ones up that are &quot;known&quot; to work?

Kyle