2700LLPT memory bad

[jslater]

I built an AMD computer over a year ago

 

ASUS A7N8X Deluxe (rev 2) Mobo

XP2700+ processor

CMX256A (512Mb 2700LLPT) DDR memory

 

Originally started with Windows98 and had horrible blue screens - constantly.

 

Upgraded to XP professional with better, but still poor results. Never had great stability - friends said I had memory problems, but never wanted to believe them. Tried several "remedies" over the year (reloading software, avoiding problematic apps (games and MS Access). Then virus scans would never complete without lockup and very poor boot success - problems are definitely worse.

 

I never overclocked and always used auto bios settings.

 

Finally borrowed another set of memory from a friend and swapped out the TWINX modules. Computer has been very stable.

 

Conclusion is that friends were right about the bad memory - any advice before attempting to return to distributer?

 

Looking forward to your reply - thanks.

 

Jim

[RAM GUY]

Please set the timings manually to whats listed bellow and test the modules with http://www.memtest.org.

Please make sure that you have the latest BIOS for your MB and load Setup/optimized default settings, and try the following BIOS settings;

 

Memory or Dim Reference voltage: 2.75 Volts

System performance: User Define

Advanced/Chipset

Configure Dram timing by SPD: Disabled/User define

SDRAM CAS Latency: 2T

SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD): 3T

SDRAM Row Precharge (tRP): 2T

SDRAM Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS): 5T

All other settings should be set to 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!

[jslater]

Thanks for your reply. Since my posting, I did learn a bit more about my system.

 

When I tried the friend's memory, it was not 333MHz DDR, rather 266MHz. So when it ran in my machine, the auto detect settings configured it for 133 (according to memtest).

 

Putting the original Corsair memory back in, I ran over 4 passes of memtest with no errors. But when trying to boot after the memtest, the computer locked like normal.

 

Next I underclocked the Corsair memory to 133MHz and system seemed stable as well (which means it could be other problems, not necessarily memory).

 

I'll try your suggestions and see if the system stays stable (since memtest has never indicated a problem).

 

My mobo only offers 2.7 and 2.8V as optional settings memory reference settings. Can either of these damage the memory? Is is still under warranty? I'll try 2.7 first.

 

Thanks.

[RAM GUY]

All of our DDR1 modules are rated up to 2.9 Volts so you will be fine. And I would try the modules one at a time if you have not done so. But if you get the same results with both modules I would suspect some other problem. And I would encourage you to test them in another system to be sure.

[jslater]

Thanks for the test advice - I did not know it made a difference to test each module separately.

 

Result of testing individually is that one of the 2 modules tests quite bad with original default settings (over 100 errors in 45 minutes). This was with 167MHz rated frequency, timing at 2,2,2,5 reference voltage to 2.6V. With your recommendation of 2,3,2,5 timing and 2.7V there were no errors.

 

Also tested 2,2,2,5 @ 2.8V with no errors (but 2,2,2,5 @ 2.7V produced 1 error in first pass). For no error test results, these tests ran for at least 4 passes.

 

It appears that machine is finally stable with these settings. Does this mean I have defective memory, though, or are these characteristics normal?

[RAM GUY]

That is normal, some systems will just not run well with the Rass to Cass set to 2. I would leave the currant setting and if you do have a problem down the road, dont worry we will replace them for the life of the module.