GiveUsaClue

Hi
I have just 'upgraded' from 2 x 256MB RAM to 3 x 1GB. Couldn't find the motherboard manual and the DIMM modules themselves gave nothing away about spec - just part numbers. The place I bought the new memory from said that 400MHz modules would do, as they were backwards compatible.

I installed new memory, started up the pc and checked RAM in My Computer - 3GB showing and everything fine. Then 2 minutes later it shuts down and will not boot up. Not even safe mode. It tries to, then stops, and just leaves the fans running.
After attempting to boot several times, the pc displayed a BIOS screen that states it is set to the improper CPU speed. Have tried changing this setting, with the original memory installed again, but the pc still won't boot.

That pc has Asus A7V266-E motherboard (I've now found the manual! it supports PC2100 DDR), with AMD Athlon 1900+ 1.63GHz processor and runs Win xp SP2.

So, where to next guys?

Xsoftware

I have this problemn too...sort of. Mine will only boot with 2x512mb sticks. When i add 2x1gb sticks it refuses to boot propely.You should try putting in 1 stick, boot it up, shut it down, insert another stick, boot it up, shut it down etc. etc.

Pharaohz

It may say backwards compatible but that is never a good thing. There are alot of things that can make it not compatible. Not to mention ram speeds can and do effect your cpu. What ram did you have before and what ram are you tring to use now?

vladimirb

Hey mate,
can you boot from CD???
If you can download Memtest here: http://www.memtest.org/
Test RAM modules one-by-one connected on the Motherboard... If they all pass test, put them together and test again...
Report back please...

GiveUsaClue

The original RAM doesn't quote any obvious spec details, other than part numbers, make and MB size. The pc has only ever had these two 184-pin 256MB DDR Samsung modules installed. (The m-board manual states PC1600 and PC2100 supported, so I guess one of them).
The new RAM I attempted to install is the stated maximum of 3 x 1GB DIMM modules. The modules are 400MHz PC3200, supposedly backwards compatible. (I also got 4 of these to upgrade my other pc, which works fine - but 400MHz is within the stated parameters for that m-board).

cheers

GiveUsaClue

Hi

No, I can't boot from CD. The only thing I can do is access BIOS.
Interestingly - well it might be for someone! - the Advanced screen of BIOS that tells me "During the last boot-up, your system hung for an incorrect CPU speed" and highlights the CPU speed, gives three options: 1200MHz, 1600MHz or Manual, and is showing a setting of 1200. I presume that this should be set at 1600 (AMD Athlon 1900+ 1.63GHz), so change it and save settings. The system tries to reboot but fails. The same message is shown and the speed is still set at 1600. But if I turn the pc off and then restart, then it has returned to its original setting of 1200. (?)

Pharaohz

Personally, Id sell the 3200 and buy some ram that the mobo will reconize. Find the model and name of the motherboard on the mobo itself if you dont know, and look it up on the net. Find the specs for it and follow it. If you continue to use the 3200 I think you will only encounter more problems.

wrench97

Put your original RAM back in clear the CMOS following the instructions in your manual, Let us know if you can then boot the PC and we'll see if we can find you the correct RAM.
By the way write down those part numbers and post them lets see what it is you have now.

GiveUsaClue

Hi

I now know the motherboard details (it's in the opening post) and know PC2100 DDR will work (I even know where I can get some).
Sorry though, I'm not sure what you mean by 'clear the CMOS'. Basically if there's not a section in the manual with the title 'How to clear the CMOS' (which there isn't!) then I'm a bit out of my depth.
I've tried resetting BIOS to default settings (made a note of what they all were first) but this has made no difference. The original RAM is already back in.

How about removing the battery? Will this clear the CMOS? Will it screw something else up too?

As requested, the details on the original RAM:
Samsung 142 K4H280838C-TCB0 (think these are 0 but could be O) - on the actual chips,and
M368L3313CT1-CB0 on a sticker, and
DIMM256MBDDR EVGR031345 on another sticker.

many thanks

wrench97

Unplug the PC remove the side touch part of the metal case to remove any static charge, remove the battery. and on this board you should not have a jumper on the CLR_RTC contacts touch the two contacts with a piece of wire or a screwdriver blade. If it does have a jumper on those 2 contacts stop and post back, I'm pretty sure this is the board that had incorrect instructions in the manual which is probably why you don't have it in the manual. after a couple of minutes replace the battery plug it back in and see if it boots.

Pharaohz

Also, when ever possible, match up the same brand and model of ram modules. Not only will this help your system run better but in lots of cases, you miss out on things like Dual channel options when you have mix matched ram.

wrench97

The M368L3313CT1-CB0 is Samsung DDR PC2100.
The second number I could find any thing on.

GiveUsaClue

OK - now able to find reference in the manual, thanks to you quoting "CLR_RTC", which says there is a jumper. But there isn't a jumper on the board. Followed your instructions and when rebooting it's gone straight to (the same) BIOS screen as before but this time with the message that as CPU reinstalled, it booted at 100MHz to make sure it entered set up.

The choice of speed provided to me is 1600MHz, 1200MHz or Manual and showing as Manual. I presume for my CPU (AMD Athlon 1900+ 1.63GHz) I select 1600MHz? And then follow the manual?

cheers

wrench97

Yes select 1600 if it won't boot it will put right back a this point.
Then follow the manual selecting auto where ever possible.

GiveUsaClue

Hi wrench

Still no joy it seems. When booting up, the Windows flag appears fors for a while, with the scrolling status bar, the screen then goes black -and then click! Blue screen with lots of text appears (for about half a second!) and we're back where we started.

A couple of setting in BIOS that were different before setting to default - just in case they have an effect:
Main screen - Halt On [all errors], was [no error ]
Chip configuration - AGP Fast Write [Disabled], was [enabled]
Onboard ACR LAN controller [auto detect], was [disabled]
Onboard PCI Audio Controller [enabled], was [disabled]
and one that doesn't feature in the manual
Load Onboard ATA BIOS [auto]

any ideas?

cheers

wrench97

Set to
Main screen - Halt On [all errors]
Chip configuration - AGP Fast Write [enabled]
Onboard ACR LAN controller [auto detect] Providing you don't have a PCI Lan card
Onboard PCI Audio Controller [enabled] Providing you don't have a PCI Audio card
Load Onboard ATA BIOS [auto]

Set the CPU speed to 1200

GiveUsaClue

Did all this (apart from setting PCI Audio Controler to [disabled] as have Audigy sound card fitted).

Rebooted to usual BIOS screen, telling me improper CPU speed selected - again.

Please don't say this is becoming a no-hoper!!

GiveUsaClue

Hi Wrench

I don't know where you are - but it's gone midnight here and I've had a long day, so I'm off for some sleep.

If it's possible with the pc in this state, would there be any benefit in updating the BIOS? I think it's rev 1004c.

cheers

vladimirb

Hey mate,
yes, you could try to upgrade BIOS and see what will happen...
But, I want to ask you some other things: Could you log to Safe Mode to de-check automatic restart so we can see BSOD error...

linderman

the ram speed is not your problem ................. PC 3200 ram sticks will run at PC2100 if the motherboard requirs this

your troubles are your board does not support sticks larger than 512mb .......... there werent any ONE gig sticks around in the day your mobo was king

always use the memory manufacturers website selectors or configurators to verify compatiblity

if THEY dont list one gig sticks for your board as an option; then it aint gonna happen

corsair / crucial / OCZ / gskill / Patriot / muskin all have configurators