BlueScreen Posted December 17, 2006 Share Posted December 17, 2006 Hello, I've got an ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe motherboard-based machine which I like very much except for the fact that it crashes CONSTANTLY. Everything I've tried has failed to solve the problem, so the time has come to get serious. The machine came with a ******** PC3200 512MB stick. I want to be able to absolutely rule out memory as the problem, while upgrading to 2GB at the same time. I figured the best way to decide on what to buy was to go to the ASUS website and see what they recommended. This led me to CORSAIR site, which indicated that the most POPULAR modules for this board are the TWINX2048-3200C2 pair. Here are my questions: I don't see very many folks in this forum using this set (lots of TWINX1024-types, though). Is this a (good) indicator that people using the TWINX2048-3200C2's have no issues? What are the differences between the C2 and C2PT suffixes (and which would be better for my board)? Is the TWINX2048-3200C2 my best choice for stability and performance? Since I'm about to drop $300 for memory, a bit more would be no problem if it meant getting the best-suited parts for my machine. Any guidance would really be appreciated - I need to do something quickly! Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekT Posted December 17, 2006 Share Posted December 17, 2006 Before we move into anything it would be better to define where the problem lies. If it is not the memory, then you will find yourself in the same issue except you will be poorer. Can you memtest this setup? http://www.memtest.org Run a full pass of all tests and report the results back here please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueScreen Posted December 17, 2006 Author Share Posted December 17, 2006 Hello Derek, I ran MEMTEST86+ for over three hours (12 passes) with no errors. To tell you the truth, I was a bit disappointed - I was hoping all I needed to do was upgrade the memory (something I want to do anyway). Would it be of any help to post specific aspects of the test, or does having no errors pretty much tell the story? I've already removed all my NVIDIA nForce drivers, and reinstalled them from the factory CD. I also removed all of my ATI files, then reinstalled them. I reseated everything I could find which were socketed on the MB. No luck. I can play any video on YOUTUBE and the machine will freeze within 90 seconds. The only other clue I can provide is the following Bluescreen error message which I jotted down last week: ************************************* ccApp.exe - Application Error The instruction at "0x7c90f080" referenced memory at "0x00000000". The memory could not be "written". ************************************* Any further suggestions greatly appreciated! Thanks, Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueScreen Posted December 17, 2006 Author Share Posted December 17, 2006 Hello Derek, Here are the two latest BlueScreen messages I've received: ******************************************** *** STOP: 0x0000008E (0xC0000005,0xBF828373,OxF21BDA08,0x00000000) *** win32k.sys - Address BF828373 base at BF800000, Datestamp 43446a58 ******************************************** AND ******************************************** Technical Information: *** STOP: 0x00000050 (0x831F5168,0x00000000,0xF27D4C5A,0x00000000) ******************************************** I'm hoping something I post will be significant in locating the problem... Thanks, Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekT Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 Hello Gary, Your testing of the memory shows that the issue is not the memory. In such a case as yours with the "Memory Can Not Be Written" issue I always advise a complete and fresh install of the OS. There are too many variables otherwise. I have never seen this issue arise due to hardware malfunctions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueScreen Posted December 18, 2006 Author Share Posted December 18, 2006 Hello Derek, Thanks for your guidance. This is'nt going to be any fun - but at least it's pro-active... -Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueScreen Posted December 18, 2006 Author Share Posted December 18, 2006 Derek, I'd still like to upgrade my memory, regardless of what the freezing problems turn out to be... Could you give me input on my original post regarding my choice of RAM? Thanks, Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekT Posted December 18, 2006 Share Posted December 18, 2006 That is more in the realm of RamGuy's arena. I am far too inexperienced and would not wish to steer you in the wrong direction. I have had your board and have used Samsung TCCD's with no issues. PC3200XL but I do not believe Corsair is making them anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted December 19, 2006 Corsair Employees Share Posted December 19, 2006 Right now the modules you have would be the best choice. Can you tell me the slots you have the modules in and the exact bios settings you have set for both CPU and memory? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueScreen Posted December 20, 2006 Author Share Posted December 20, 2006 Hello Ram Guy, Thank you for your response. I think you may have misunderstood what I was asking in the original post. I do not yet HAVE the TWINX2048-3200C2 pair. I only have at present a single ******** PC3200 512MB stick. My question was whether the TWINX2048-3200C2 pair would be my best upgrade choice for the ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe, since I hadn't seen many people with this RAM/mb combination. Thanks, Gary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted December 21, 2006 Corsair Employees Share Posted December 21, 2006 Yes as I said before they would be the best choice but I would not suggest mixing them with the other memory you have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blitz74 Posted December 21, 2006 Share Posted December 21, 2006 Hey Blue, I've got the setup I think you are asking about. And to be completely honest, I am very satisfied. The best way to trouble shoot your issue is in fact to start with Ram Guy's request of info. I adjusted my system exactly the way Ram Guy suggested and have no doubt in his ability to assist you. I also haven't had any issues either. I myself think that 2 gigs of ram with being limited on the MB FSB of 400mhz seems like overkill for ram, but I could be wrong. The PT after the C2 just means it has the platinum vs. black colored heat spreader, (if your looking to play dress up with your tower), the PT suffix has no effect on function. Thanks to Ram Guy and DerekT for your assistance earlier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted December 21, 2006 Corsair Employees Share Posted December 21, 2006 Thank you Blitz74 and Merry Christmas! BlueScreen Please let me know if you have any more questions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueScreen Posted December 22, 2006 Author Share Posted December 22, 2006 Hello Ram Guy, Blitz74, and DerekT, I'd first like to say that I've found this forum to be a breath of fresh air compared to some other sites where I've tried to get help. I really appreciate the input and willingness to share expertise I'm finding here... Ram Guy, following is my present BIOS information, starting with the general stuff and working down into the details. I'm not sure what you're looking for so I'll just post as much as I've got - here goes... Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe ACPI BIOS Rev 1011 Primary Master [sT3120026A] Primary Slave [None] Secondary Master [sONY CD-RW C] Secondary Slave [None] Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5in.] Halt On [All Errors] Base Memory 640K Extended Memory 523264K Total Memory 524288K (Advanced) PnP/PCI Configurations Resources Controlled By [Auto(ESCD)] x PCI IRQ Resources Exclusion PCI/VGA Palette Snoop [Disabled] ADVANCED BIOS FEATURES: Boot Virus Detection [Disabled] CPU Level 1 Cache [Enabled] CPU Level 2 Cache [Enabled] Quick Power On Self Test [Enabled] First Boot Device [CDROM] Second Boot Device [Floppy] Third Boot Device [HDD-0] Boot Other Device [Enabled] Boot Up Floppy Seek [Enabled] Boot Up NumLock Status [On] Gate A20 Option [Fast] Typematic Rate Setting [Disabled] x Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) 6 x Typematic Delay (Msec) 250 APIC Mode [Enabled] OS/2 Onboard Memory > 64M [Disabled] FullScreen LOGO Show [Enabled] If there's any other info that would be of help, just tell me what it is and where to look for it. Thanks again, Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJLeong65 Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 Hello Ram Guy, Blitz74, and DerekT, I'd first like to say that I've found this forum to be a breath of fresh air compared to some other sites where I've tried to get help. I really appreciate the input and willingness to share expertise I'm finding here... Ram Guy, following is my present BIOS information, starting with the general stuff and working down into the details. I'm not sure what you're looking for so I'll just post as much as I've got - here goes... Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe ACPI BIOS Rev 1011 Primary Master [sT3120026A] Primary Slave [None] Secondary Master [sONY CD-RW C] Secondary Slave [None] Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5in.] Halt On [All Errors] Base Memory 640K Extended Memory 523264K Total Memory 524288K (Advanced) PnP/PCI Configurations Resources Controlled By [Auto(ESCD)] x PCI IRQ Resources Exclusion PCI/VGA Palette Snoop [Disabled] ADVANCED BIOS FEATURES: Boot Virus Detection [Disabled] CPU Level 1 Cache [Enabled] CPU Level 2 Cache [Enabled] Quick Power On Self Test [Enabled] First Boot Device [CDROM] Second Boot Device [Floppy] Third Boot Device [HDD-0] Boot Other Device [Enabled] Boot Up Floppy Seek [Enabled] Boot Up NumLock Status [On] Gate A20 Option [Fast] Typematic Rate Setting [Disabled] x Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) 6 x Typematic Delay (Msec) 250 APIC Mode [Enabled] OS/2 Onboard Memory > 64M [Disabled] FullScreen LOGO Show [Enabled] If there's any other info that would be of help, just tell me what it is and where to look for it. Thanks again, Gary Can you tell us which model, speed and FSB speed of your Athlon XP processor? In addition, the stability issues likely came from running your memory at a higher clockspeed than your processor's actual clockspeed. This means, your memory runs at a full 200MHz clockspeed even though your processor may have an actual FSB clockspeed of 133MHz or 166MHz. And all Asus motherboards will default the memory clockspeed to the SPD-detected clockspeed regardless of your processor's actual FSB clockspeed, unless you manually override that memory clockspeed setting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueScreen Posted December 22, 2006 Author Share Posted December 22, 2006 Hello RJ, According to my documentation the CPU is: AMD Athlon XP-A, 2300 MHz (5.75 x 400) Is that what you needed? Thanks, Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekT Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 You need to set your bios to defaults and then read the BIOS startup screen. Your CPU is overclocked if it is saying 2300Mhz. The highest stock XP was 2.2GHz (3200+). 5.75 X 400 is the strangest multi X FSB that I have ever seen an Athlon XP running on. Curiouser and curiouser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blitz74 Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 Hey Bluescreen, Also, if you have the software from your MB, ASUS provides a program that is very useful. The ASUS PC Probe - It monitors temps, speeds, model numbers and contains alot of useful information. It is very user friendly and can also provide an alternative location for data. Check it out if you do not have it installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted December 22, 2006 Corsair Employees Share Posted December 22, 2006 You have a mobil 3200+ CPU is why you are getting those reading I think, the 3200+ CPU should be 11 X 200! Please check with AMD to be sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueScreen Posted December 22, 2006 Author Share Posted December 22, 2006 Hello Everyone, I'm not sure what my next step should be, but yes, I DO have ASUS Probe - as a matter of fact, the shortcut is right on my desktop. Here's what IT says under Information > Processor: Socket Designation : Socket A Type: Central Processor Family: - Manufacturer: AMD ID: 000006A0 0383FBFF Version: AMDAthlonXP Supported Voltage: 1.6V External Clock: 200MHz Max Speed: 3000MHz Current Speed: 2300MHz Status: Socket populated; Enabled Processor Upgrade: ZIF socket As far as going back to the default BIOS, I don't think anything has ever been changed (at least I never changed anything). I have, however, already prepared bootable floppies with both this BIOS (1011) and the newer BIOS (1013) which I downloaded from the ASUS website. I wonder if I should go ahead and flash the BIOS with the newer version, then post its contents for you? I might mention that I'm a little nervous, never having done it before - I think I know how, though. Please let me know if this info from ASUS Probe confirmed anything... Thanks again! Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted December 22, 2006 Corsair Employees Share Posted December 22, 2006 I would suggest using Bios version 1.013 with this MB it will fix a lot of issues with this MB and I would set the CPU manually to 200 X 11 with the memory in slots 2-3 and set the system performance to Manual at 2.7 Volts and see if that solves the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueScreen Posted December 23, 2006 Author Share Posted December 23, 2006 Hello Ram Guy, Lots to report. First I updated the BIOS to v.1013. Next, I went into ASUS Probe, which reflected the version update, but additionally showed a reduced External Clock Speed of 166 MHz with a Current Speed of 1916 MHz. Going back into the BIOS, I attempted to set up everything as you had instructed. The CPU was already set at 200MHz, but I changed the CPU Frequency Multiple to 11.0 as you suggested. I changed System Performance to "User Defined", but then realized that I didn't know which parameter you wanted changed to 2.7V. The only three voltage settings I see are "CPU Vcore" (which is grayed out and therefore can't be changed), "DDR Reference Voltage" (which is currently set at 2.6V), and "AGP VDDQ Voltage" (which is currently set at 1.5V). Please let me know which of these parameters you were referring to... Anyway, I went online and headed for YouTube, which for me has always been the "acid test" - the machine would NEVER play for more than a few seconds before freezing up. YIPPEE! I played FULL SCREEN videos (another first) for about fifteen minutes without a single glitch! I went back into ASUS Probe, which is again reflecting an External Clock speed of 200MHz, and a Current Speed of 2200MHz. Things are DEFINITELY better! Please let me know which voltage to change to 2.7v and whether there is anything further I can do to "fine tune" the system. THANKS! Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employees RAM GUY Posted December 23, 2006 Corsair Employees Share Posted December 23, 2006 Please try these settings. CPU Freq: 200 MHz System Performance: User Define Memory Frequency: 100% Dim Voltage to 2.7 Volts Resulting Frequency: 200 MHz Memory timings: Manual Would results in these settings SDRAM CAS Latency: 2.5T SDRAM RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD): 3T SDRAM Row Precharge (tRP): 3T SDRAM Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS): 6T Graphics Aperture Size is 128 MB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blitz74 Posted December 23, 2006 Share Posted December 23, 2006 I bet there was a sigh of relief that was heard around the world. Make sure you adjust accordingly to Ram Guy, and then work on the "tweak factor". That's actually where I'm at with this set up and pushing the CPU to a 2.357 (11.5x by 205 mhz) Seems to be alright so far. Although I can't seem to get the 12x to adjust at all, I have to keep going back to 11.5x and creep the memory frequency up. Should find the sweet spot relatively soon. Blue, I would leave the AGP voltage alone for now. Work on the general stuff mentioned by Ram Guy. Probably run Memtest and just perform your usual applications. Make sure things are smooth for a short time, just in case you try tweaking and are having difficulty, makes it alot easier to start from a solid performing machine. I'll keep posting on this thread for you with any helpful info. Have a Great Christmas and maybe Santa will drop a video card under your tree. (He would rule if he actually did that). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueScreen Posted December 23, 2006 Author Share Posted December 23, 2006 Hello Blitz and Ram Guy, Well, I can at least assure you that there was a sigh of relief at THIS end! The difference so far is just amazing. And thanks for your advice. Ram Guy, I changed my BIOS settings according to those suggested in your last post. The machine's running like a top from all indications. I do have a few discrepencies in my resulting timings though... SDRAM CAS Latency is 3T (instead of 2.5T) SDRAM Active to Precharge Delay (tRAS) is 8T (instead of 6T) Graphics Aperture Size is 64MB (instead of 128MB) I don't know why my results are different from yours, but I thought I'd mention it in case there are still some things that need to be tweaked. Also, Blitz said that in his opinion, 2GB of RAM for a 400 MHz FSB MB was overkill. Is my present 512 MB pretty much optimum for this setup or would I benefit from another 512 MB or so? I'm still looking forward to fine-tuning this system, but it looks like the worst might well be over. Thanks to everyone who took time to give me some great input - DerekT, Blitz74, RJLeong65, and of course the master, Ram Guy. Gary (BlueScreen) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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