testing DDR

[ropipo]

I am trying to figure out if my DDR2 is/are bad.

After 1 1/2 month using my new PC I am getting all kind of problems.

After using Windows Memory Diagnostic which showed an error I will now use the MEMTEST from HCIDESIGN when I get it.

Meanwhile I wish to know which voltage must I use with the Dominator TWIN

2x2048-6400C4D G coupled with a MoBo ABIT AW9D-MAX and an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor 6750. I did not touched the default settings (at least volontary) of any component.

 

Roger

[RAM GUY]

Please make sure that you have the latest Bios version and then load setup/optimized defaults and set the Dim Voltage to 2.1 volts (+.2 Volts W/Giga-Byte) and then set the timings manually to the tested settings for the specific module you have, or if you have Value Select "BY SPD" and then test the module/'s 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 some MB's (Mostly ASUS) you have to disable legacy USB in the bios when running any memory test.

 

You can get the tested settings from the link in my signature.

[ropipo]

Thank you Guy,

 

It seems that the DDR2 are O.K.

After more tests, I suspected the HD. But there too the tests shows that it is O.K.

It must be a bad writing to the HD (used in RAID 0 configuration) in the directory or XP bootable area that is causing my troubles. I am ripe for an clean XP installation to get back my HD. Just some more testings before doing that.

 

Roger

[RAM GUY]

Let's get them replaced, please use the On Line RMA Request Form and we will be happy to replace them.

[ropipo]

Guy,

 

Do you think I still should send them back ?

Here is a summary of what I did. Maybe the problem are in the specs somewhere. I would be happy to try whatever you say.

 

My new PC has strange symptoms:

HD unrecoverable errors, flight simulator crashes and finally unbootable HD (due to the unrecoverable error).

HD test CHKDSK finds the unrecoverable error. Other HD test utilities shows that the disks themselves are O.K.

(The disks are used as RAID 0)

Then I started to check the memory.

First with Windows Memory Diagnostic utility, then with Memtest86 and finally with Memtest from HCIDESIGN.

(2 freewares and one commercial payware)

 

Before continuing lets see my configuration;

ABIT AW9D-MAX mother board

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750

CORSAIR Dominator TWIN 2x2048-6400C4D (total 2048 MGB)

PSU OCZ GameXtream 700 W

No overclocking, usage defined in BIOS (version 15) as SPD and defaults

Latency 5,5,5,15

 

The tests showed very quicky errors in all 3 utilities.

I then test each DDR2 seperately changing each time the channel used and the DIMM used.

NO ERROR

I change the DDR2 voltage from the default value (2.085 ? or 1.85 ? I do not remember) to 2.1 volt

The two first utilities (windows and Memtest86) did not show anymore error after 10 passes (previously

only 2 to 4 passes were enough to show errors).

BUT the HCIDESIGN utility still shows about 2 errors per 100 % test. Each error being at different addresses.

 

So at this point I conclude that the DDRs are good. Both mobo channels and all 4 DIMMs are also good.

Each module is O.K. seperately but errors show up when both are used.

Increasing the DDR voltage to 2.1 seems to lessen the frequency of errors.

Does anybody have a suggestion for me before I try to demount the mobo and send it back to ABIT ?

I have the feeling that the error is more in specifications than in hardware.

The default specs are O.K. for me but maybe I should try to modify some specs but that scares me.

 

Roger

[ropipo]

Guy,

 

Do you think I still should send them back ?

Here is a summary of what I did. Maybe the problem are in the specs somewhere. I would be happy to try whatever you say.

 

My new PC has strange symptoms:

HD unrecoverable errors, flight simulator crashes and finally unbootable HD (due to the unrecoverable error).

HD test CHKDSK finds the unrecoverable error. Other HD test utilities shows that the disks themselves are O.K.

(The disks are used as RAID 0)

Then I started to check the memory.

First with Windows Memory Diagnostic utility, then with Memtest86 and finally with Memtest from HCIDESIGN.

(2 freewares and one commercial payware)

 

Before continuing lets see my configuration;

ABIT AW9D-MAX mother board

Intel Core 2 Duo E6750

CORSAIR Dominator TWIN 2x2048-6400C4D (total 2048 MGB)

PSU OCZ GameXtream 700 W

No overclocking, usage defined in BIOS (version 15) as SPD and defaults

Latency 5,5,5,15

 

The tests showed very quicky errors in all 3 utilities.

I then test each DDR2 seperately changing each time the channel used and the DIMM used.

NO ERROR

I change the DDR2 voltage from the default value (2.085 ? or 1.85 ? I do not remember) to 2.1 volt

The two first utilities (windows and Memtest86) did not show anymore error after 10 passes (previously

only 2 to 4 passes were enough to show errors).

BUT the HCIDESIGN utility still shows about 2 errors per 100 % test. Each error being at different addresses.

 

So at this point I conclude that the DDRs are good. Both mobo channels and all 4 DIMMs are also good.

Each module is O.K. seperately but errors show up when both are used.

Increasing the DDR voltage to 2.1 seems to lessen the frequency of errors.

Does anybody have a suggestion for me before I try to demount the mobo and send it back to ABIT ?

I have the feeling that the error is more in specifications than in hardware.

The default specs are O.K. for me but maybe I should try to modify some specs but that scares me.

 

Roger

[ropipo]

Guy,

 

I worked with the ABIT forum and received this note from Master of None (the guy who signs his messages this way in the Abit forum).

 

>>Your memory is rated to run 400MHz with 4-4-4-12 timings and 2.10v. With the 1333 N/B Strap the 1:1 memory ratio is as high as you can go so the fastest you can run the memory is the same speed as the External Clock, in your case 333MHz. (I'll guess if it is really 333MHz you set it manually because there should be a little overclock by default)

 

At 333MHz memory speed and loose 5-5-5-15-35 timings I would think 1.80v would be enough. It depends on the BIOS revision, but all later revisions, including BIOS 15, will set 2.00v by default for DDR2 800 and higher memory.

 

What you can try is increasing the chipset voltage a little bit, MCH & PCIe 1.5V Voltage to 1.55v.

 

 

If I had a 333MHz processor in an AW9D Max I would treat it as an overclocked 266MHz processor and run it on the 1066 N/B Strap. This will allow for a different memory ratio that will run the memory closer to its rated speed. Memory speed will be a little higher that its rated 400MHz but your memory should do it easily. Like this:

 

OC Guru

CPU Operating Speed = User Define - this allows adjustment to the items below

X - External Clock = 333MHz

X - Multiplier Factor = X 8

X - Estimated New CPU Clock = 2664 MHz

X - N/B Strap CPU As = 1066

X - DRAM Spec. (CPU: DRAM) = DDR2 667 (4:5)

X - Estimated New DRAM Clock = 416MHz

 

Voltages Control = User define - this allows adjustment to the items below

X - CPU Core Voltage = Default

X - DDR SDRAM Voltage = 2.10 V - the recommended voltage for your memory

X - MCH & PCIe 1.5V Voltage = 1.55

 

 

Advanced Chipset Features

DRAM Timing Selectable = Manual

X - CAS Latency Time (tCL) = 4

X - RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) = 4

X - RAS# Precharge (tRP) = 4

X - Precharge Delay (tRAS) = 15

X - Refresh Cycle Time (tRFC) = 42

<<

 

Now the problem is fixed: no more error messages from memtest (HCIDESIGN).

I still need to execute Memtest86 but that one was already clear with the DDR2 voltage at 2.1 (your recommendation).

So all the credit is too Master of None from ABIT.

But I tought that this feed back could help somebody else in this forum.

Thank you for your help.

 

Roger:biggrin:

[ropipo]

Guy,

 

I worked with the ABIT forum and received this note from Master of None (the guy who signs his messages this way in the Abit forum).

 

>>Your memory is rated to run 400MHz with 4-4-4-12 timings and 2.10v. With the 1333 N/B Strap the 1:1 memory ratio is as high as you can go so the fastest you can run the memory is the same speed as the External Clock, in your case 333MHz. (I'll guess if it is really 333MHz you set it manually because there should be a little overclock by default)

 

At 333MHz memory speed and loose 5-5-5-15-35 timings I would think 1.80v would be enough. It depends on the BIOS revision, but all later revisions, including BIOS 15, will set 2.00v by default for DDR2 800 and higher memory.

 

What you can try is increasing the chipset voltage a little bit, MCH & PCIe 1.5V Voltage to 1.55v.

 

 

If I had a 333MHz processor in an AW9D Max I would treat it as an overclocked 266MHz processor and run it on the 1066 N/B Strap. This will allow for a different memory ratio that will run the memory closer to its rated speed. Memory speed will be a little higher that its rated 400MHz but your memory should do it easily. Like this:

 

OC Guru

CPU Operating Speed = User Define - this allows adjustment to the items below

X - External Clock = 333MHz

X - Multiplier Factor = X 8

X - Estimated New CPU Clock = 2664 MHz

X - N/B Strap CPU As = 1066

X - DRAM Spec. (CPU: DRAM) = DDR2 667 (4:5)

X - Estimated New DRAM Clock = 416MHz

 

Voltages Control = User define - this allows adjustment to the items below

X - CPU Core Voltage = Default

X - DDR SDRAM Voltage = 2.10 V - the recommended voltage for your memory

X - MCH & PCIe 1.5V Voltage = 1.55

 

 

Advanced Chipset Features

DRAM Timing Selectable = Manual

X - CAS Latency Time (tCL) = 4

X - RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD) = 4

X - RAS# Precharge (tRP) = 4

X - Precharge Delay (tRAS) = 15

X - Refresh Cycle Time (tRFC) = 42

<<

 

Now the problem is fixed: no more error messages from memtest (HCIDESIGN).

I still need to execute Memtest86 but that one was already clear with the DDR2 voltage at 2.1 (your recommendation).

So all the credit is too Master of None from ABIT.

But I tought that this feed back could help somebody else in this forum.

Thank you for your help.

 

Roger:biggrin: