mercdv Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 What is the gold standard software for testing RAM? I built a new system and it reboots sometimes while playing games. I looked at the minidump files and each crash was due to a different dll or sys file that weren't related in any fashion. So I was wondering if there is a preferred software program used to test RAM. I tested my RAM using several programs and then tested the CPU. I tested the RAM with Auto settings and Manual. My machine passed Windows Memory Diag. (one pass), MemTest86 (2 passes), CPU Stress Test (45 minutes running) but failed MemTest (Windows version, failed twice) and Prime95 Stress Test (failed 3 times). I'm more of a software guy than hardware so I can debug a program but have no idea how to reliably test hardware. My memory and machine specs are: Corsair TWINX1024-3200XL (tested in Auto then used manual settings listed) 200MHz Timing 2T Tcl 2 Trcd 2 Tras 5 Trp 2 AMD 64 3500+ MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum Motherboard MSI FX5900XT-VTD128 Video Card 2 WesternDigital 120GB Hard Drives Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wired Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 The DOS memtest is the best one, 3 passes. Try setting your Trcd to 3 though. I think that mobo doesn't always like setting Trcd to 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted January 7, 2005 Corsair Employee Share Posted January 7, 2005 Yes, and please set the Dim Voltage to 2.8 Volts as well as install the modules in slots 1-2! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercdv Posted January 7, 2005 Author Share Posted January 7, 2005 Ok, let me see if I have this right. I should increase the Trcd to 3 AND the Dim voltage to 2.8 volts then use memtest86 from http://www.memtest86.org for 3 passes? Now is setting the Trcd to 3 going to slow down my RAM to the point where I shouldn't have paid extra cash for the extra low latency? Sorry, I'm not that big on the knowledge of how RAM timing, latency, and such effect the performance so don't kill me for asking what might be a stupid question to you guys. :o: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercdv Posted January 7, 2005 Author Share Posted January 7, 2005 Forgot to say that I do have them in slot 1 and 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted January 7, 2005 Corsair Employee Share Posted January 7, 2005 Please make sure that you have the latest BIOS installed on your MB and that you have the modules installed on either slots 1&2 or 3&4; load optimized/set up defaults, set the following BIOS settings; DRAM Configuration : Max Memclock: Limit or 200 1T/2T Memory Timing : 1T CAS# latency (Tlc): 2 RAS# to CAS# delay (Trcd): 2 Min RAS# active time (Tras): 5 Row precharge Time (Trp): 2 High Performance Mode : Manual Aggressive timing : DISABLED Dynamic Overclocking: DISABLED Spread Spectrum : Enabled HT Frequency : 5x Cool’n’Quiet: Enable Adjust CPU Rotation: Startup Adjust CPU FSB Frequency: 200 Adjust AGP Frequency: 66 Adjust CPU VID 1.500v CPU Voltage: By CPU VID Memory Voltage : 2.75 AGP Voltage: 1.50V *1.6V if you have 9200 or 9600 ATI or 5200 or 5700 Nvidia card. All other settings should be left to MB default settings. Then please test them one at a time with http://www.memtest.org and let’s make sure it's not some other issue! I would run the test for at least 2-3 passes to be sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercdv Posted January 7, 2005 Author Share Posted January 7, 2005 I'll give this a shot when I get home. Thanks for the quick responses. That's probably the best customer service I have ever received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted January 7, 2005 Corsair Employee Share Posted January 7, 2005 N.P. Please let us know how you make out, and make sure you set the settings accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercdv Posted January 10, 2005 Author Share Posted January 10, 2005 N.P. Please let us know how you make out, and make sure you set the settings accordingly. Well good and bad results. I tested the RAM for 11 hrs. using MemTest86+ and it passed on 28 passes. This made me assume it was a driver issue so I reformatted the machine using only the latest drivers released and certified by MSI. Well, five formats later and 1 attempt at using the latest nVidia drivers not the release drivers from MSI, still major issues. Now I'm not sure what to do. I make computer images for a living but we have a separate department that does hardware testing and repairs if we suspect there is a hardware issue while building an image (unfortunately we can't bring home equipment in to test it). There's no way it's a software issue because I've triple checked everything I can as far as the software side and like I said, I make images that are run on thousands of machines without any software problems. I've tested the hard drives with Western Digital LifeGuard and they pass. I've run Hot CPU Tester Lite and it passed all the tests that can be run under the lite version. I would say everything was ok but I still crash out of games and programs with memory errors. I'm starting to suspect the motherboard. I've never used a MSI board and I'm not too pleased so far. I usually use Abit and Asus to build my machines but MSI got some pretty good reviews. Am I right in suspecting the motherboard or could it still be the RAM? Is there a good test for motherboards out there? Some of the errors I got are listed below. Error #1: This application has encountered a critical error: ERROR #132 (0x85100084) Program: D:\Games\World of Warcraft\WoW.exe Exception: 0xC0000005 (ACCESS_VIOLATION) at 001B:0077BBF2 The instruction at "0x0077BBF2" referenced memory at "0x00000000". The memory could not be "written". Error #2: Application popup: HALF-LIFE 2: hl2.exe - Application Error : The instruction at "0x241f7c37" referenced memory at "0x0106f5c0". The memory could not be "read". Error #3 Application popup: HALF-LIFE 2: hl2.exe - Application Error : The instruction at "0x241f7c37" referenced memory at "0x0106f5c0". The memory could not be "read". Error #4: Loading User Symbols ******************************************************************************* * * * Bugcheck Analysis * * * ******************************************************************************* Use !analyze -v to get detailed debugging information. BugCheck 1000000A, {0, 2, 1, 8051e106} Probably caused by : memory_corruption ( nt!MiRemovePageByColor+68 ) Followup: MachineOwner Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted January 10, 2005 Corsair Employee Share Posted January 10, 2005 Well we can try replacing your modules, but that may be a driver and or bios issue. Please follow the link in my signature “I think I have a bad part!” and we will be happy to replace them or it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsteel44 Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 Personally have high doubts its a memory issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted January 10, 2005 Corsair Employee Share Posted January 10, 2005 You might see if a friend and or your reseller can help you test them in another system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercdv Posted January 12, 2005 Author Share Posted January 12, 2005 You might see if a friend and or your reseller can help you test them in another system. Ok, I decided to RMA the mobo because I wasn't happy with it any way. I should be getting the ASUS A8V Deluxe any day now so I'll let you know how it goes with that board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted January 12, 2005 Corsair Employee Share Posted January 12, 2005 O.K. by the way, when I tested this MB I had to install the modules in slots 2-4 not slots 1-2. Sorry for the confusion too many MB's to remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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