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Memory problem - new stick not being recognised

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ArBiTaL 24

There is no spoon
Joined
Aug 17, 2002
Hi all,

I'm having some memory issues. I recently bought a new stick to upgrade my PC: (eBay Link to RAM). By itself, the stick works fine (tested in both my main PC and that new Dell machine I mentioned a while back. However, it refuses to boot with more than just that stick in the system.

On my computer, if I try and boot it with one or both of my original Corsair sticks, it will just hang at the POST stage at a random point (in any slot). It won't let me access the BIOS or take keyboard input at all. Note that the timings are different - however, the BIOS seems to be picking up the slower stick's timings.

If I reset the BIOS, it will allow me into the BIOS once, reading 2048mb RAM. However, if I change any of the settings and reboot, it usually hangs. A couple of times it has let me back into the BIOS, and then it is reading 1024MB ram from there on, unless I reset the bios again by removing the battery.

Once it let me boot into Windows (safe mode), with all the sticks of RAM in - and it read 1GB.

If I try and boot the Dell machine with this new stick of RAM, and either any/all of the old sticks from the DELL machine (PC2700 @ 256MB each), OR my Corsair sticks, it just gives a beep code on boot and refuses to display any monitor output. However, it will boot to just that once stick happily.

Below I will include some information including:
Step-by-step notes of things I discovered while testing
My (main PC) BIOS version
SiSoftSANDRA output of information on both my MAIN PC and the Dell, of both generic system information and some mainboard / RAM specific stuff.

Any information or advice is appreciated!
Thanks!






##########################





Main PC boots with EITHER old RAM OR New RAM - not both and not combination 1/1
Booted once with both old and new (3 sticks), showed 1024MB in Windows
Trying to boot with new RAM makes BIOS hang (stops at random point, takes no keyboard input)
After reset of BIOS (battery remove), first boot shows 2048MB in BIOS and 1024MB after restart and each restart thereafter
Setting mode in BIOS to Synchronous or Asynch makes no difference
Setting RAM speed to PC400 / auto makes no difference
With all RAM installed, BIOS shows slower latency settings - detecting new stick? (both 1024 and 2048)

Dell System: ##########################
New RAM on it's own boots Dell PC also
Dell PC will NOT boot with new stick and ANY of the original PC2700 sticks (256MB each)
Ran HCI Design MemTest on Dell PC using only the 1 stick of RAM. Results: 0 Errors after 107.2% coverage
Ran MemTest from bootable CD. Dell PC, 1 stick RAM. Results: 0 Errors
Dell system will NOT boot with the new RAM stick and either/both of my MAIN PC ram sticks - beep code error on BIOS



###############################################
############### DATA ##########################
###############################################

MAIN PC BIOS Version:
06/08/2004-SiS648/SiS963/W697-P4S800


Dell PC SiSoftSandra report:

################################################
############## Computer Overview ###############

SiSoftware Sandra

System
Host Name : ###
User : ###
Workgroup : ###

Processor
Model : Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz
Speed : 2.79GHz
Cores per Processor : 1 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)
Internal Data Cache : 16kB, Synchronous, Write-Thru, 8-way, 64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache : 1MB, ECC, Synchronous, ATC, 8-way, 64 byte line size, 2 lines per sector

System
System : Dell Computer Corporation Precision WorkStation 360
Mainboard : Dell Computer Corp. 0W2563
Bus(es) : X-Bus AGP PCI IMB USB i2c/SMBus
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
Multi-Processor Advanced PIC (APIC) : Yes
System BIOS : Dell Computer Corporation A06
Total Memory : 1GB DDR

Chipset
Model : Dell 82875P,E7210 Memory Controller Hub
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 200MHz (800MHz)
Total Memory : 1GB DDR
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 200MHz (400MHz)

Video System
Adapter : RADEON X800 PRO/GTO (512MB, AGP 3.00, PS 2.0, VS 2.0)

Physical Storage Devices
ST380011A 80GB (ATA100, 2MB Cache) : 75GB ( C: ) ( W: )
CBMFlash Disk 2GB (USB) : 2GB ( G: )
ATAPI DVD A DH20A4P (ATAPI66, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A ( D: )

Logical Storage Devices
Hard Disk (C:) : 60GB (NTFS) @ ST380011A 80GB (ATA100, 2MB Cache)
BACKUP Ghost (W:) : 15GB (NTFS) @ ST380011A 80GB (ATA100, 2MB Cache)
CD-ROM/DVD (D:) : N/A @ ATAPI DVD A DH20A4P (ATAPI66, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)
Removable Drive (G:) : 2GB (FAT) @ CBMFlash Disk 2GB (USB)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : Intel 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) LPC Interface Bridge
LPC Hub Controller 2 : Dell 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) SMBus Controller
LPC Legacy Controller 1 : SMSC LPC v1
Audio Device : C-Media Electronics CMI8738/C3DX PCI Audio Device
Serial Port(s) : 2
Parallel Port(s) : 1
USB Controller 1 : Dell 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) USB UHCI Controller #1
USB Controller 2 : Dell 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) USB UHCI Controller #2
USB Controller 3 : Dell 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) USB UHCI Controller #3
USB Controller 4 : Dell 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) USB UHCI Controller #4
USB Controller 5 : Dell 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) USB 2.0 EHCI Controller
System SMBus Controller 1 : Intel 801xx/63xx SMBus

Printers and Faxes
Printer : Samsung CLP-600 Series (600x600, Colour)

Scanners and Cameras
Camcorder : PC CAM 300A ()

Network Services
Network Adapter : Intel(R) PRO/1000 MT Network Connection - Packet Scheduler Miniport (Ethernet, 100Mbps)

Power Management
Mains (AC) Line Status : On-Line

Operating System(s)
Windows System : Microsoft Windows XP (2002) Professional 5.01.2600 (Service Pack 3)
Platform Compliance : x86

Performance Tips
Tip 2546 : Large memory modules should be ECC/Parity.

################################################
################################################


################################################
################ RAM Specific ##################
SiSoftware Sandra

System
Manufacturer : Dell Computer Corporation
Model : Precision WorkStation 360
Serial Number : ###
ID : ###

Mainboard
Manufacturer : Dell Computer Corp.
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
MPS Version : 1.40
Model : 0W2563
Serial Number : ..CN4811147900LW.

On-board Devices
Intel Pro 1000 MT Network Connection : Ethernet Adapter (Enabled)
AC'97 Audio Controller : Sound Adapter (Disabled)

System Memory Controller
Location : Mainboard
Error Correction Capability : ECC
Number of Memory Slots : 4
Maximum Installable Memory : 4GB
Bank 1 - CHANNEL A DIMM 0 : DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 1GB/64 @ 400MHz
Bank 2 - CHANNEL B DIMM 0 : Empty
Bank 3 - CHANNEL A DIMM 1 : Empty
Bank 4 - CHANNEL B DIMM 1 : Empty

Chipset
Model : Dell 82875P,E7210 Memory Controller Hub
Revision : A3
Bus : Intel AGTL+
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 200MHz (800MHz)
Maximum FSB Speed : 4x 200MHz (800MHz)
Width : 64-bit
I/O Queue Depth : 12 request(s)
Maximum Bus Bandwidth : 6.25GB/s

Chipset 1 Hub Interface
Type : Hub-Interface
Version : 1.50
Number of Ports : 3
Width : 8-bit
Full Duplex : Yes
Multiplier : 2/1x

Logical/Chipset Memory Banks
Bank 0 : 512MB DDR 3.0-3-3-8 1T
Bank 1 : 512MB DDR 3.0-3-3-8 1T
Supported Memory Types : ECC DDR
Channels : 1
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 200MHz (400MHz)
Maximum Memory Speed : 2x 200MHz (400MHz)
Multiplier : 1/1x
Width : 64-bit
Memory Controller in Processor : No
Performance Acceleration Technology : Yes
Refresh Rate : 7.80µs
Power Save Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : No
Maximum Memory Bus Bandwidth : 3.13GB/s

APIC 1
Version : 2.00
Multiplier : 1/2x
Maximum Interrupts : 24
IRQ Handler Engaged : Yes
Enhanced Support : Yes

Memory Module 1
Manufacturer : Corsair
Model : VS1GB400C3
Type : 1GB DDR
Technology : 16x(64Mx8)
Speed : PC3200U DDR-200
Standard Timings : 3.0-3-3-8 2-11-0-0
Date of Manufacture : 25 December 1999
Memory DC Line : 2.50V
Set Timing @ 200MHz : 3.0-3-3-8 2-11-0-0

Environment Monitor 1
Model : NS LM85B SMB
Version : 6.02
Mainboard Specific Support : No

Temperature Sensor(s)
Board Temperature : 32.00°C td
CPU Temperature : 45.00°C td
Auxiliary Temperature : 28.00°C td

Voltage Sensor(s)
CPU DC Line : 1.34V
Aux DC Line : 1.50V
+3.3V DC Line : 3.27V
+5V DC Line : 5.05V
+12V DC Line : 11.94V

System Bus(es) on Hub 1
Version : 2.10
System Bus 0 : PCI
System Bus 1 : AGP
System Bus 2 : PCI

...

System SMBus Controller 1
Model : Intel 801xx/63xx SMBus
Version : 0.02
Specification : 2.00
Advanced TCO Mode Enabled : No
Slave Device Enabled : Yes
PEC Support : No
Speed : 100kHz

Expansion Slot(s)
PCI1 (1h) : PCI 32-bit +5V +3.3V PME Full-Length Available
PCI2 (2h) : PCI 32-bit +5V +3.3V PME Full-Length Available
PCI3 (3h) : PCI 32-bit +5V +3.3V PME Full-Length Available
PCI4 (4h) : PCI 32-bit +5V +3.3V PME Full-Length Available
AGP1 : AGP 32-bit +3.3V PME Full-Length Used

...

Performance Tips
Notice 224 : SMBIOS/DMI information may be inaccurate.
Tip 2511 : Some memory slots are free so the memory can be easily upgraded.
Tip 2546 : Large memory modules should be ECC/Parity.

################################################
################################################








My MAIN PC SiSoftSandra report:

################################################
############## Computer Overview ###############

SiSoftware Sandra

System
Host Name : ###
User : ###
Domain : ###

Processor
Model : Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.06GHz
Speed : 3.08GHz
Performance Rating : PR4090 (estimated)
SMT Support : 2 Unit(s)
Type : Standard
L2 On-board Cache : 512kB ECC Synchronous ATC (8-way sectored, 64 byte line size)

Mainboard
Bus(es) : AGP PCI IMB USB
MP Support : No
MP APIC : Yes
System BIOS : Award Software, Inc. ASUS P4S800 ACPI BIOS Revision 1009
Mainboard : ASUSTeK Computer INC. P4S800
Total Memory : 1024MB DDR-SDRAM

Chipset 1
Model : ASUSTeK Computer Inc SiS648 CPU to PCI Bridge
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 134MHz (536MHz data rate)
Total Memory : 1024MB DDR-SDRAM
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 134MHz (268MHz data rate)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor/Panel : Plug and Play Monitor
Adapter : ATI Radeon HD 3850 AGP
Imaging Device : Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000 #3

Physical Storage Devices
Hard Disk : Maxtor 7L300R0 (279.5GB)
Hard Disk : WDC WD1600JB-98FUA0 (149.1GB)
Hard Disk : CBM Flash Disk USB Device
CD-ROM/DVD : BTC BCE4816IM
CD-ROM/DVD : BTC BCE4816IM
CD-ROM/DVD : LITE-ON DVDRW LDW-451S
CD-ROM/DVD : TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S202N (CD 48X Rd, 48X Wr) (DVD 6X Rd, 6X Wr)

Logical Storage Devices
Hard Disk (C:) : 149.0GB (17.3GB, 12% Free) (NTFS)
Main d drive for programs (300gb (D:) : 279.5GB (2.9GB, 1% Free) (NTFS)
CD-ROM/DVD (E:) : N/A

...

Operating System(s)
Windows System : Microsoft Windows XP/2002 Professional (Win32 x86) 5.01.2600 (Service Pack 2)

Network Services
Network Drivers Enabled : Yes

Performance Tips
Warning 100 : Large memory sizes should be made of Registered/Buffered memory.
Tip 101 : Large memory sizes should be made of ECC/Parity memory.


################################################


################################################
################# RAM Specific #################

SiSoftware Sandra

System
Manufacturer : System Manufacturer
Model : System Name
Version : System Version
Serial Number : ###
ID : ###

Mainboard
Manufacturer : ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
Model : P4S800
Version : REV 1.xx
Serial Number : xxxxxxxxxxx
System BIOS : 06/08/2004-SiS648/SiS963/W697-P4S800

System Memory Controller
Location : Mainboard
Error Correction Capability : None
Number of Memory Slots : 3
Maximum Installable Memory : 1GB
Bank 1 - DIMM 1 : DIMM Synchronous DRAM 1GB/64
Bank 2 - DIMM 2 : Empty
Bank 3 - DIMM 3 : Empty

Chipset
Model : ASUS SiS648 CPU to PCI Bridge
Revision : F2
Bus : Intel AGTL+
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 134MHz (536MHz)
Maximum FSB Speed : 4x 200MHz (800MHz)
Width : 64-bit
HTT - Hyper-Threading Technology : Yes
I/O Queue Depth : 12 request(s)
Priority Master Queue Depth : 7 request(s)
Maximum Bus Bandwidth : 4.19GB/s

Chipset 1 Hub Interface
Type : MUTOL
Width : 16-bit
Full Duplex : No
Multiplier : 2/1x

Logical/Chipset Memory Banks
Bank 0 : 1GB DDR 3.0-4-4-9 2T
Supported Memory Types : SDRAM DDR Registered
Channels : 1
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 201MHz (402MHz)
Maximum Memory Speed : 2x 200MHz (400MHz)
Multiplier : 3/2x
Width : 64-bit
Memory Controller in Processor : No
Refresh Rate : 7.80µs
Power Save Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : No
Maximum Memory Bus Bandwidth : 3.14GB/s

APIC 1
Version : 8.00
Multiplier : 1/2x
Maximum Interrupts : 24
IRQ Handler Engaged : Yes
Enhanced Support : Yes

Memory Module 1
Manufacturer : Corsair
Model : VS1GB400C3
Type : 1GB DDR
Technology : 16x(64Mx8)
Speed : PC3200U DDR-200
Standard Timings : 3.0-3-3-8 2-11-0-0
Date of Manufacture : 25 December 1999
Memory DC Line : 2.50V
Set Timing @ 200MHz : 3.0-3-3-8 2-11-0-0

System Clock Generator
Software Programmable : Yes
Read-Back Support : No

Environment Monitor 1
Model : Winbond W83697HF ISA
Version : 6.00
Mainboard Specific Support : No

Temperature Sensor(s)
Board Temperature : 30.00°C
CPU Temperature : 26.50°C td

Cooling Device(s)
Auto Fan Speed Control : Yes
CPU Fan : 1815rpm

Voltage Sensor(s)
CPU DC Line : 1.61V
Aux DC Line : 0.05V
+3.3V DC Line : 3.25V
+5V DC Line : 4.93V
+12V DC Line : 11.33V

System Bus(es) on Hub 1
Version : 2.10
System Bus 0 : PCI
System Bus 1 : AGP

...

System SMBus Controller 1
Model : SiS 961 Ext SMBus
Advanced TCO Mode Enabled : No
Slave Device Enabled : No
PEC Support : No
Speed : 56kHz

Expansion Slot(s)
PCI 1 (1h) : PCI 32-bit +5V +3.3V PME Half-Length Available
PCI 2 (2h) : PCI 32-bit +5V +3.3V PME Half-Length Available
PCI 3 (3h) : PCI 32-bit +5V +3.3V PME Half-Length Used
PCI 4 (4h) : PCI 32-bit +5V +3.3V PME Half-Length Available
PCI 5 (5h) : PCI 32-bit +5V +3.3V PME Half-Length Available
AGP (6h) : AGP 32-bit +3.3V Half-Length Used

...

Performance Tips
Notice 224 : SMBIOS/DMI information may be inaccurate.
Tip 2511 : Some memory slots are free so the memory can be easily upgraded.
Warning 100 : Large memory sizes should be made of Registered/Buffered memory.


################################################
 
Oh, and I should probably mention that I'm not overclocking at all - this is all at stock, both on my system and the Dell. Temps are fine on both and I've never had any instability issues on either as of yet.
 
Anyone have any ideas? I'm sorry to bump/push but I need to e-mail the guy about returns asap if there's nothing I can do about this. Or at least sell it on, lol.
 
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