[SOLVED] Memory Causes Random Restarts

chrispm84 · 11-01-2009, 10:21 AM

I ordered a 2 gig dual channel memory kit from GSkill. I've ordered from them in the past and never had a problem. My motherboard is an MSI RX480 Neo-F. Memory model number is: F1-3200PHU2-2GBNS. When I got my package, I installed both modules and was extremely happy with the increase in speed over my previous 2 gig dual channel kit that I replaced. It ran fine for about two days, then it did a random reboot. I didn't worry about it, until it crashed with a BSOD the next day. I had my CPU overclocked and it raised the mhz of the memory, very slightly. So, I figured they just weren't good overclockers. I undid the overclock and it ran fine for a couple of days.

When it started randomly rebooting again, I brought the mhz down to 333 and lowered the timings to what GSkill says they're supposed to run at with 333mhz. Still no joy. I lowered the voltage slightly and even increased it a little, and nothing seems to work. I've also done a clean install with Vista, so I can rule out any program or system problems. Now, the strange thing is that both the sticks work fine by themselves, as far as I can tell. I've ran them separately for days at a time with no problems, but as soon as I put them together, it'll eventually reboot. The kit I replaced ran at 2.5v, I believe, and this kit runs at 2.7, which I've set properly in bios. So... Any ideas? And as always, thanks in advance for the great help!

Oh, and I didn't catch the first BSOD in time to read it, but it gave me one a few days ago with this: IRQL_NOT_EQUAL_OR_LESS

**Tyree** · 11-01-2009, 10:53 AM

You could run Memtest on each stick separately. What are the brand and specs of the RAM that was replaced. It could be the MSI Mobo doesn't like the G.Skill RAM. I had an old 478 MSI Mobo that would not play well with many RAM brands and it would act precisely as you have described.

chrispm84 · 11-02-2009, 01:04 AM

The old ram was Patriot 2 gig dual channel kit, 333mhz. I'll get to running memtest with each stick separately as soon as I get a chance and let you know what comes up. I'll even try to get a test with both, if it'll stay up long enough. I really believe it has something to do with the voltages. It acts as if the memory controller can't handle the stress... Any opinion on that?

**Tyree** · 11-02-2009, 10:38 AM

Voltage problems is a possibility. Have you tried changing them?

chrispm84 · 11-02-2009, 11:52 PM

Yeah, I've lower and raised them with no success. I haven't tried to drastically change them (highest I went was 2.75) as I didn't want to damage the memory. I'll try to run the memtests today and see what pops up.

chrispm84 · 11-03-2009, 03:59 AM

Okay, I ran Memtest86+ on both sticks separately. First stick passed with flying colors, but the other failed after a mere 9 seconds... Looks like I got a bad stick. Sorry for bothering you, I should've ran Memtest86+ first, but I've just been so busy. Thanks for all the help! Now, I'm off to RMA the memory.

11-01-2009, 10:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
chrispm84 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 47 OS: Windows Vista 32-bit	[SOLVED] Memory Causes Random Restarts I ordered a 2 gig dual channel memory kit from GSkill. I've ordered from them in the past and never had a problem. My motherboard is an MSI RX480 Neo-F. Memory model number is: F1-3200PHU2-2GBNS. When I got my package, I installed both modules and was extremely happy with the increase in speed over my previous 2 gig dual channel kit that I replaced. It ran fine for about two days, then it did a random reboot. I didn't worry about it, until it crashed with a BSOD the next day. I had my CPU overclocked and it raised the mhz of the memory, very slightly. So, I figured they just weren't good overclockers. I undid the overclock and it ran fine for a couple of days. When it started randomly rebooting again, I brought the mhz down to 333 and lowered the timings to what GSkill says they're supposed to run at with 333mhz. Still no joy. I lowered the voltage slightly and even increased it a little, and nothing seems to work. I've also done a clean install with Vista, so I can rule out any program or system problems. Now, the strange thing is that both the sticks work fine by themselves, as far as I can tell. I've ran them separately for days at a time with no problems, but as soon as I put them together, it'll eventually reboot. The kit I replaced ran at 2.5v, I believe, and this kit runs at 2.7, which I've set properly in bios. So... Any ideas? And as always, thanks in advance for the great help! Oh, and I didn't catch the first BSOD in time to read it, but it gave me one a few days ago with this: IRQL_NOT_EQUAL_OR_LESS Last edited by chrispm84; 11-01-2009 at 10:23 AM.

11-01-2009, 10:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,410 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Memory Causes Random Restarts You could run Memtest on each stick separately. What are the brand and specs of the RAM that was replaced. It could be the MSI Mobo doesn't like the G.Skill RAM. I had an old 478 MSI Mobo that would not play well with many RAM brands and it would act precisely as you have described. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

11-02-2009, 01:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
chrispm84 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 47 OS: Windows Vista 32-bit	Re: Memory Causes Random Restarts The old ram was Patriot 2 gig dual channel kit, 333mhz. I'll get to running memtest with each stick separately as soon as I get a chance and let you know what comes up. I'll even try to get a test with both, if it'll stay up long enough. I really believe it has something to do with the voltages. It acts as if the memory controller can't handle the stress... Any opinion on that?

11-02-2009, 10:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,410 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Memory Causes Random Restarts Voltage problems is a possibility. Have you tried changing them? __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

11-02-2009, 11:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
chrispm84 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 47 OS: Windows Vista 32-bit	Re: Memory Causes Random Restarts Yeah, I've lower and raised them with no success. I haven't tried to drastically change them (highest I went was 2.75) as I didn't want to damage the memory. I'll try to run the memtests today and see what pops up.

11-03-2009, 03:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
chrispm84 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 47 OS: Windows Vista 32-bit	Re: Memory Causes Random Restarts Okay, I ran Memtest86+ on both sticks separately. First stick passed with flying colors, but the other failed after a mere 9 seconds... Looks like I got a bad stick. Sorry for bothering you, I should've ran Memtest86+ first, but I've just been so busy. Thanks for all the help! Now, I'm off to RMA the memory.