Ailing TWINX Modules

[Leadfinger]

I have a pair of TWINX memory modules that seem to have gone bad. I would like to request an RMA to have them replaced. I'll list all of my config info before describing symptoms...

 

Memory: CMX512-3200LLPT (XMS3205v1.1)

Motherboard: Abit IC7-G (Intel 875 chipset)

CPU: Intel P4 3.2E Ghz (default settings, no OCing)

CAS settings: By SPD -> 2.5 2 2 6

BIOS version: Version 27, dated 11/1/04

 

The main symptom is Windows XP Pro rebooting itself after five minutes or less of just idling on the desktop. And that's assuming that it finished booting up in the first place, most times it does not.

 

Initial RAM config was Stick A (just to give it a name) in DIMM1 and Stick B in DIMM3 (to enable dual channel mode). Running memtest with this configuration produced over 1000 errors in one pass, so I started testing other configurations:

 

Stick A in DIMM1, Stick B removed: About 6-10 errors per pass in memtest

Stick A removed, Stick B in DIMM3: About 1000 errors in a single pass

Stick A removed, Stick B in DIMM1, then in DIMM2: About 800-1000 errors per pass each time

Stick A in DIMM2, Stick B removed: Again about 6-10 errors per pass in memtest

 

I was using a Knoppix live-CD that included a memtest boot option for these tests. I found that I could boot into Knoppix and get into KDE just fine, but as soon as I tried to start a program (Firefox), it would generate an out of memory error.

 

Based on these results, I believe that my motherboard can be excluded as the source of the problem, so I'd like to get an RMA for both of my modules.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Wired]

Try these timings:

 

CAS Latency: 2

RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD): 3

Row Precharge (tRP): 2

Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS): 6

 

memory voltage: 2.7x volts.

[RAM GUY]

And if you are still getting errors I would strongly suggest testing the modules in another system if you can, as it would highly unlikely to have two failing modules at the same time.

[Leadfinger]

Thanks for the prompt replies! :cool:

 

I have done testing using the settings that Wired suggested with the following results:

 

Stick A in DIMM1, Stick B removed: No errors after 4 passes in memtest

Stick A removed, Stick B in DIMM3: An average of about 130 errors per pass, with several addresses consistently failing each test

Stick A removed, Stick B in DIMM1, then in DIMM2: Again about 130 errors per pass, with the same consistencies.

 

I'll try running Windows tomorrow with just Stick A installed and see if the rebooting problem goes away. At this point, I'm fairly convinced that the other stick is toast, but I haven't tested it in another machine yet.

[RAM GUY]

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