TWINX1024-5400 and AL8-V upset

[retspan]

Am trying to get the following components te get along:

 

ABIT AL8-V

Intel Pentium D 940 (3.2MHz)

Corsair TwinX 1024-5400 (2x512MB/667MHz)

 

They are being powered by an Antec Truepower 550P.

 

When I let the BIOS detect it's own settings, it runs an FSB of 204 and the DDR2 below spec, at 544, which for some reason results in an unstable system. With both bios versions 1.7 and 1.8, windows is not even willing to install when I'm using default settings: FSB@200/PCIe@100/DDR@667. I've tried upping voltages a little, increasing latencies some and re-seating the RAM.

 

Would much appreciate any help, kinda stuck here :(:

[RAM GUY]

Please make sure that you have the latest bios and then load setup defaults and set the Dim Voltage to 2.1 volts and then set the timings manually to the tested settings for the specific module you have, and then test the module/modules one at a time with http://www.memtest.org! If you still get errors, please follow the link in my signature “I think I have a bad part!” and we will be happy to replace them or it! However, if you get errors with both modules that would suggest some other problem and I would test them in another system or MB to be sure. In addition, with this MB you have to disable legacy USB in the bios when running any memory test.

[retspan]

Thank you for the comments.

 

Please make sure that you have the latest bios and then load setup defaults

Done, I've tried both the latest and the second to last BIOS (V17 and 18)

 

set the Dim Voltage to 2.1 volts and then set the timings manually to the tested settings for the specific module you have

Tried 2.1 and the instability remains, for example 3DMark06 hangs when loading levels (tests). Timings 4-4-4-12 applied as per specs.

 

and then test the module/modules one at a time with http://www.memtest.org

I have already let memtest86 (http://www.memtest86.com) do 6 passes, without a single glitch, should that eliminate the ram from the list of culprits?

 

In addition, with this MB you have to disable legacy USB in the bios when running any memory test

I can't find this option, can only turn off all USB together as well as having the option between letting the BIOS or the OS control a USB keyboard or mouse (only mouse is usb). This is set to OS by default.

 

The thing that still gets me most though is that after I enter the divider that results in the ram running at 667MHz manually, the system will happily apply this, no matter how many reboots...UNTIL I GO BACK TO THE BIOS from when it'll go back to the autosetting and 533MHz.

 

Any more thoughts? I'm definately leaning towards the Mainboard...

[RAM GUY]

Have you checked with Abit to see what they say?

And we can try and replace the modules if you like but I would agree it sounds like some other problem.