Can only see one module

[Schlaegel]

I have been running a 512MB Corsair VS512MB400 (64X64) memory module on my Shuttle ST62K (2.8 Ghz HT P4) with no problems.

 

I now have another VS512MB400 to increase the total memory to 1G. Unfortunately the memory will not increase.

 

I tried both modules separately and they both work.

 

I tried both slots and they both work.

 

When both modules are installed the system works, but only sees 512 MB.

 

I noticed that no matter what slot on the motherboard I put a single module into, the BIOS reports, "DDR at Row(s): 2". It does the same for two modules.

 

I tried disabling Hyper Threads and got no change.

 

What am I missing?

[RAM GUY]

Lets get them both replaced.

Please follow the link in my signature “I think I have a bad part!” and we will be happy to replace them or it!

[Schlaegel]

Lets get them both replaced.

Please follow the link in my signature “I think I have a bad part!” and we will be happy to replace them or it!

I am impressed with your quick and willing response.

 

I do have reservations though. Could you explain to me the issue with the modules. I don't want to go through the whole replacement process and end up where I started.

 

I just don't understand how they can not show up together, yet show up individually.

 

Also, for lack of a better place to store them, I kept both modules installed. My system has still been running flawlessly.

[RAM GUY]

chances are the modules you have are not the same revision, since you did not buy them at the same time. So the fastest way to find out is to just get them replaced.

[Schlaegel]

I contacted RMA, sent both of my modules, and quickly received two new modules that work great together.

 

Thank you for the easy and fast service!

[RAM GUY]

No problem, and thanks for letting me know.

[Schlaegel]

It turns out that the two modules I received have their own issues. Before I knew this I felt great, because my system finally could see both modules. I quickly realized that my system was now unstable. I ran memtest86+ and it found multiple errors. That was quite a let down.

 

I was in a very busy part of my school schedule and could not go without my computer, so I just disabled as many background processes as possible to minimize lockups.

 

Now that it is summer, I have tested the modules with different configurations and in a different system. The modules always give errors to memtest86+. When running other ram in my system I do not get any of these errors.

The alternate system has an Nvidia chipset with an AMD CPU while my primary system has an ATI chipset with an Intel CPU (I am referring to chipset not GPU). Seeing as the systems are so different, and other RAM worked, I see no possible cause but the modules being bad.

 

What is odd is that these are the modules are got from RMA.

[RAM GUY]

Well that is possible, but can you tell me our modules part# (How To Read the Memory Label) and the make and model of MB you have along with the CPU speed and it’s FSB as well? In addition, please tell me the bios settings you have set for both CPU and memory and any performance settings that you may have set?

[Schlaegel]

Well that is possible, but can you tell me our modules part# (How To Read the Memory Label) and the make and model of MB you have along with the CPU speed and it’s FSB as well? In addition, please tell me the bios settings you have set for both CPU and memory and any performance settings that you may have set?

Memory

VS512MB400 #1: (819-0437021-7-001900)

VS512MB400 #1: (819-0445066-0-001842)

 

Primary System

Shuttle FT62S: (FT62S002) ATI RS300 + SB200

P4 HT: Intel® Pentium® 4 CPU 2.8 GHz (200x14.0)

FSB: Auto (200)

Memory Freq: Auto (DDR-400)

Memory Time: Auto (CAS 2.5, RCD 3, RP 4, AP 8)

 

Primary System Alternate Config

Memory Freq: DDR-200

 

Test System

Shuttle AN35S: (AN35S00C) NVidia NForce2 400 + MCP

Athlon XP: AMD Athlon XP 2200+

FSB: 133

Memory Freq: BY SPD (400)

Memory Time: Auto (CAS 2.5, RCD 3, RP 3, RAS 8)

 

Note

With my old corsair modules I never got any errors on the same primary system, but could only see one module at a time. I tried different memory modules, those normally in the test system, and they produced no errors on both systems. The two current corsair memory modules produce errors on both systems.

[RAM GUY]

With both of those systems you would need to run the memory at DDR333 because of chipset limitations.

[Schlaegel]

With both of those systems you would need to run the memory at DDR333 because of chipset limitations.

Questions

1. If this is the case, why does AUTO set the speed to DDR400?
   
2. Where is this documented?
   

 

Experiment

 

I set the memory to DDR333 and left it running Memtest86+ all night. Unfortunately it still found many errors. I will try this again tonight with the alternate module, as I have never left the system testing that long with it.

I still find it odd that my old Corsair modules never gave any Memtest86+ errors, even when running at DDR400.

[RAM GUY]

Q: If this is the case, why does AUTO set the speed to DDR400?

A: That is the default bios option and setting it to AUTO will run off of the SPD. Some MB's do not and have to be manually set to O.C. Depends on how the MB maker did the bios.

Q: Where is this documented?

A: Please talk to your MB maker as this is a limitation of the Chipset and or CPU not the memory.

Q: I set the memory to DDR333 and left it running Memtest86+ all night. Unfortunately it still found many errors. I will try this again tonight with the alternate module, as I have never left the system testing that long with it.

A: If the module is failing at DDR333 and the timings are set to Cass 2.5-3-3-7 at 2.7 Volts then I would suggest we get them replaced. Please follow the link in my signature “I think I have a bad part!” and we will be happy to replace them or it!

Q: I still find it odd that my old Corsair modules never gave any Memtest86+ errors, even when running at DDR400.

A: What is the part# of your old module? And you can sometime over clock the system, but running the memory out of sync will degrade the memory and over all system performance. If you ran a memory bench mark at DDR333 verses DDR400 with a 133/166 FSB CPU I think this would become more clear to you.

[Schlaegel]

Q: Where is this documented?

A: Please talk to your MB maker as this is a limitation of the Chipset and or CPU not the memory.

I had two reasons for asking this: (1) I would like to confirm your statement that my motherboard can not do what it claims it can do; and (2) I would like to know where to look for this type of information in the future.

 

Q: I set the memory to DDR333 and left it running Memtest86+ all night. Unfortunately it still found many errors. I will try this again tonight with the alternate module, as I have never left the system testing that long with it.

A: If the module is failing at DDR333 and the timings are set to Cass 2.5-3-3-7 at 2.7 Volts then I would suggest we get them replaced. Please follow the link in my signature “I think I have a bad part!” and we will be happy to replace them or it!

I retested the module overnight in the "Test System" at DDR333 and it again produced errors. I also retested the "Primary System" with the alternate RAM and it produced no errors.

 

Q: I still find it odd that my old Corsair modules never gave any Memtest86+ errors, even when running at DDR400.

A: What is the part# of your old module? And you can sometime over clock the system, but running the memory out of sync will degrade the memory and over all system performance. If you ran a memory bench mark at DDR333 verses DDR400 with a 133/166 FSB CPU I think this would become more clear to you.

The part number of all of my Corsair RAM modules are the same. This thread was started about the original modules which were replaced by Corsair with the current modules. As a rule, I am more concerned about noise than performance, so overclocking is never a desire of mine. I don't believe I understand your answer.

 

Since both systems work with the alternate RAM module, and both systems produce errors with the Corsair RAM modules at DDR400 and DDR333 I would like the modules replaced (again).

 

PS: I took digital pictures of the Memtest86+ screens showing the error and setup and am willing to share them with you if they would help you in any way.

[RAM GUY]

First off the chipset limitations I have quoted comes from the Chipset manufacturers directly. I have no control what a MB maker and or a MB makers marketing may claim. Other than to suggest you use a module as listed by that manufacturer as compatible at the speeds you are trying to run them at. Again, I would check with the respective MB maker to verify the limitations of the specific system. And I have no problem replacing your modules, but from what you have posted I have reservations as to that being a viable solution. But please follow the link in my signature “I think I have a bad part!” and we will be happy to replace them or it!

 

And if you are getting errors on test 5 or 8 that might suggest some other problem. F.Y.I.

[Schlaegel]

First off the chipset limitations I have quoted comes from the Chipset manufacturers directly. I have no control what a MB maker and or a MB makers marketing may claim. Other than to suggest you use a module as listed by that manufacturer as compatible at the speeds you are trying to run them at. Again, I would check with the respective MB maker to verify the limitations of the specific system.

I do not mind running my memory at DDR333 if that is what is required, but these modules do not work at DDR333. Is this chipset information publibly available? If so, can you give me the URL? That information would make buying future motherboards and RAM modules much easier.

 

And I have no problem replacing your modules, but from what you have posted I have reservations as to that being a viable solution. Bur please follow the link in my signature “I think I have a bad part!” and we will be happy to replace them or it!

What gives you reservations? I have done my best to isolate the errors to the memory modules by switching systems, timings, and memory modules. I would love it if you could point to any other logical explanation as to why the memory modules fail in both systems at multiple timings when other memory works in both systems. (My system is completely factory and contains no PCI cards.) If I could get the modules to work with a mere setting change, then I would not have to go without my system while the memory is being evaluated. I would love this.

 

And if you are getting errors on test 5 or 8 that might suggest some other problem. F.Y.I.

I looked at a (bad) photo I took of one of the Memtest86+ screens, and though it showed many errors, none of them were on tests 5 or 8.

 

I am getting the impression that you believe I am missing something, but I can not figure out what you think I am missing. If you believe I can and should do another step please let me know. As you can tell by our dialog, I am not averse to testing different scenarios, but am eager to get my system stable again.

[RAM GUY]

Please either call our customer service at 888-222-4346 and dial "0" or follow the link in my signature "If you have submitted the RMA using the on line form and have not got a reply!" And let them know you had an RMA before. And the limitations for the chipsets are published with most of the chipset makers white papers, but they are a bit criptic.