RAM failure when running more than one module

Soulsink · 10-16-2008, 10:41 AM

I originally posted in Vista support (http://www.techsupportforum.com/micr...idump-att.html) since I was unclear as to what my problem was. However, I now seem to have narrowed it down to my RAM. I should elaborate:

For several weeks I have been getting random BSOD's, system locks and resets. I couldn't seem to isolate what the problem was. I tried with another power supply, another video card, no peripherals attached and so on. The only thing I didn't try was another CPU running in the same board or another Hard-drive, but since I often couldn't even boot to BIOS I felt safe the HD was fine.

Exasperated, I bought 2 new RAM modules and a new motherboard, all exactly the same models as before. However, when I installed everything I got the same problems with the same event ID's.

Today I decided to run the windows diagnostic tool memory test on each individual module, one at a time. The test was passed every time. However, everytime I add another module the test fails and I am told I have errors in my memory. I've tried swapping modules around, running on channels 2 and 4 instead of 1 and 3 etc. and this happens again and again.

My dxdiag file, minidumps and other logs are linked in the post above. I'm hoping someone has an explanation before I go out and spend even more cash replacing parts that actually have nothing to do with the problem :(

dai · 10-16-2008, 11:30 AM

check you are seating them ok
don't rely on the clips clicking over they do not mean it is seated

Soulsink · 10-17-2008, 05:14 AM

They are definitely seated ok. Like I said, this is happening with all four sticks if I combine two of them, including two brand new sticks.

It also happens if I use another, identical, board. This leads me to the suspicion that the problem lies somewhere with my CPU or a peripheral device. Since I've ran tests with every component changed except for the CPU and the problems persist that would appear to be the cause but I don't know how this could happen.

Is it possible for a faulty CPU to affect memory tests?

dai · 10-17-2008, 10:16 AM

check the voltage range of the ram and set at the top voltage level

Soulsink · 10-18-2008, 05:41 AM

Stock voltage is 2.1V and that's what I'm running them at. On my old board with old memory I tried running them at 2.2V but that made things worse.

The only thing that hasn't been changed out in the rig is the CPU, the keyboard and mouse.

Now when I run four modules I get a CMOS checksum error (keyboard failure or no keyboard attached) and can't even boot to BIOS. Yet when I memtest each module individually they all pass

dai · 10-18-2008, 07:14 AM

this usually indicates a power problem
I get a CMOS checksum error

what are you running
video card
cpu
m/board
ram
power supply
brand
wattage

check the listings in the bios for voltages and tempretures and post them

Soulsink · 10-19-2008, 08:58 AM

video card - BFG NVidia 8800 GTS 512MB OC
cpu - Intel Q6600 Quad
m/board - ABIT IP35 Pro
ram - OCZ PC2-8500C5 1066MHz Dual-Channel (have 4 x 1GB modules)
power supply:
brand - Thermaltake Toughpower
wattage - 750W

VCore - 1.22V
DDR2 - 2.10V
DDR2VTT - 1.05V
CPU VTT - 1.21V
MCH1.25V - 1.26V
ICHIO1.5V - 1.52V
ICH1.05V - 1.06V
ATX+12V (24Pin) - 12.06V
ATX+12V (8Pin) - 12.24V
ATX+5V - 5.13V

The above voltages are lifted from UGuru. I'll restart and post those direct from the BIOS shortly. Thanks for the help.

Edit: From BIOS

Temperatures:

CPU - 35degC/95degF
SYS - 29degC/84degF
PWM - 42degC/107degF

Voltages:

CPU Core - 1.23V
DDR2 - 2.11V
DDR2 VTT - 1.05V
CPU VTT - 1.21V
MCH 1.25V - 1.26V
ICHIO 1.5V - 1.52V
ICH 1.05V - 1.06V
ATX +12V (24Pin) - 12.07V
ATX +12V (8Pin) - 12.25V
ATX +5V - 5.14V
ATX +3.3V - 3.33V
ATX 5VSB - 5.17V

Soulsink · 10-19-2008, 09:35 AM

I should have said, I also ran Prime for 13 hours and memtest86 and both passed with no errors. That was with 2GB RAM installed. I'll run the tests again tonight with 4GB installed.

dai · 10-19-2008, 09:58 AM

the temps and volts are fine
see what happens with the extra ram in

10-16-2008, 10:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
Soulsink Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Europe Posts: 12 OS: Vista x64	RAM failure when running more than one module I originally posted in Vista support (http://www.techsupportforum.com/micr...idump-att.html) since I was unclear as to what my problem was. However, I now seem to have narrowed it down to my RAM. I should elaborate: For several weeks I have been getting random BSOD's, system locks and resets. I couldn't seem to isolate what the problem was. I tried with another power supply, another video card, no peripherals attached and so on. The only thing I didn't try was another CPU running in the same board or another Hard-drive, but since I often couldn't even boot to BIOS I felt safe the HD was fine. Exasperated, I bought 2 new RAM modules and a new motherboard, all exactly the same models as before. However, when I installed everything I got the same problems with the same event ID's. Today I decided to run the windows diagnostic tool memory test on each individual module, one at a time. The test was passed every time. However, everytime I add another module the test fails and I am told I have errors in my memory. I've tried swapping modules around, running on channels 2 and 4 instead of 1 and 3 etc. and this happens again and again. My dxdiag file, minidumps and other logs are linked in the post above. I'm hoping someone has an explanation before I go out and spend even more cash replacing parts that actually have nothing to do with the problem :(

10-16-2008, 11:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,646 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: RAM failure when running more than one module check you are seating them ok don't rely on the clips clicking over they do not mean it is seated __________________

10-17-2008, 05:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
Soulsink Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Europe Posts: 12 OS: Vista x64	Re: RAM failure when running more than one module They are definitely seated ok. Like I said, this is happening with all four sticks if I combine two of them, including two brand new sticks. It also happens if I use another, identical, board. This leads me to the suspicion that the problem lies somewhere with my CPU or a peripheral device. Since I've ran tests with every component changed except for the CPU and the problems persist that would appear to be the cause but I don't know how this could happen. Is it possible for a faulty CPU to affect memory tests?

10-17-2008, 10:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,646 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: RAM failure when running more than one module check the voltage range of the ram and set at the top voltage level __________________

10-18-2008, 05:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
Soulsink Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Europe Posts: 12 OS: Vista x64	Re: RAM failure when running more than one module Stock voltage is 2.1V and that's what I'm running them at. On my old board with old memory I tried running them at 2.2V but that made things worse. The only thing that hasn't been changed out in the rig is the CPU, the keyboard and mouse. Now when I run four modules I get a CMOS checksum error (keyboard failure or no keyboard attached) and can't even boot to BIOS. Yet when I memtest each module individually they all pass

10-18-2008, 07:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,646 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: RAM failure when running more than one module this usually indicates a power problem I get a CMOS checksum error what are you running video card cpu m/board ram power supply brand wattage check the listings in the bios for voltages and tempretures and post them __________________

10-19-2008, 09:35 AM	#8 (permalink)
Soulsink Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Europe Posts: 12 OS: Vista x64	Re: RAM failure when running more than one module I should have said, I also ran Prime for 13 hours and memtest86 and both passed with no errors. That was with 2GB RAM installed. I'll run the tests again tonight with 4GB installed.

10-19-2008, 09:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,646 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: RAM failure when running more than one module the temps and volts are fine see what happens with the extra ram in __________________