BSOD 4x1GB XMS2-6400 at Stock (Vista 64)

[gbl7]

I have been getting BSOD's while using intensive games (particularly COD 4) with 4 sticks of RAM installed, with everything at stock. The BSOD's typically reference memory or cache as the problem, and in several instances have caused boot or even post issues after BSODs. I have set the speed of the ram down from 800 to 667, and upped the voltage from 1.9 to 2.0, which seems to alleviate the problem to some extent. I have also run Memtest on each stick of ram individually and all have passed 2+ passes without errors.

 

My question is, is the problem with the RAM itself, could this be a motherboard incompatibility (GA-P35 DS3L), is the issue Vista 64, or is running 4x1GB going to degrade the performance of the RAM below its rated specs?

 

Thank you for your help.

[DerekT]

I do not see that you have increased the MCH voltage and this would be helpful. Try these settings:

 

Download memtest from http://www.memtest.org and extract the ISO image. Burn the ISO image to an CD-ROM disk.

 

MIB Intelligent Tweaker (M.I.T.)

 

Robust Graphics Booster = Auto

CPU Clock Ratio = 9

CPU Host Clock Control = Enabled

CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) = 333Mhz

PCI Express Frequency = 100Mhz

C.I.A.2 = Disabled

Performance Enhance = Standard

System Memory Multiplier = 2.0

Hi Speed DRAM DLL Settings = Option 2

DRAM Timing Selectable = Manual

CAS Latency Time = 5

DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay = 5

RAS# Precharge = 5

Precharge Delay (tRAS) = 15

ACT to ACT delay = Auto

Bank Write To READ Delay = Auto

Refresh to ACT Delay = 0

Read to Precharge Delay = Auto

 

System Voltage Control

DDR2 OverVoltage Control = +.3V

PCI-e OverVoltage Control = Normal

(G)MCH OverVoltage Control = +.03

CPU Voltage Control = Auto (whatever you have it set for stability)

 

You probably have most if not all of these settings already, but the MCH is usually pretty necessary and especially so for an overclocked stream with 4 Banks populated.

 

Can you be more specific as to what you are doing when BSOD's occur?

[gbl7]

Thank you for your help, I only set the timings and DDR2 overvoltage off auto for the RAM controls, so MCH is most likely set to auto. Right now I have RAM overvoltage set to +0.2, the mobo is 1.8 auto, the ram is rated at 1.9, and I tried to overvolt by 0.1 for stability, would you recommend going higher than that?

 

FYI, I was running the system with both cpu and RAM at stock, but was still getting BSODs until I lowered the RAM clock to 667 (and changed voltage from 1.9 to 2.0). The BSODs are occuring during COD 4, typically, although I have had it occur once or twice in Vista 64 after a BSOD in-game. Sometimes it occurs during an action sequence, but not necessarily. Also, I have updated to the most recent beta 8800 GTS drivers, which may affect stability. Any additional help would be appreciated!

[DerekT]

but was still getting BSODs until I lowered the RAM clock to 667 (and changed voltage from 1.9 to 2.0). The BSODs are occuring during COD 4, typically, although I have had it occur once or twice in Vista 64 after a BSOD in-game. Sometimes it occurs during an action sequence, but not necessarily. Also, I have updated to the most recent beta 8800 GTS drivers, which may affect stability. Any additional help would be appreciated!

 

Some of these boards will not run fully stable unless you drop the DRAM speed to 533Mhz. I would increase the MCH +.5.

[gbl7]

I have made the suggested changes, and I am still experiencing blue screens. So right now I have my memory set at 667, with +0.3V for RAM and MCH, with 5-5-5-18 timings. I have ran memtest on each of the 4x1GB sticks individually, and all passed 2+ runs. I am still getting occasional (but not consistent) BSODs both in games and during normal operation of Vista 64. The BSODs typically refer page_fault_in_nonpaged_area or "Memory Problem," which makes me suspect a problem with the RAM.

 

Are there any known incompatibilities between GA P35-DS3 series and XMS2-6400, or with running 4x1GB on the mobo or in Vista 64? I have all of the updates relating to using 4GB in Vista 64, what else could potentially cause these BSODs?

 

Finally, if there is nothing I can change on my end to prevent these problems, should I RMA the ram, or do I need a different type entirely? Would a "better" type of RAM be more stable, or would 2x2GB solve the BSODs? Thank you again for any advice you can provide.

[DerekT]

would 2x2GB solve the BSODs? Thank you again for any advice you can provide.

 

Yes, you would not have these issues with 2 X 2048. You might have to drop the DRAM throughput to 533Mhz on that board to achieve stability with 4 DRAM banks populated. With the drop in DRAM prices, it really is far better to go with 2 X 2048 though.

 

Test the DRAM to be sure of stability. Download memtest from http://www.memtest.org and extract the ISO image. Burn the ISO image to an CD-ROM disk. Boot to the optical drive with the memtest disk and allow for two full passes.

 

Results?

[RJLeong65]

Yes, you would not have these issues with 2 X 2048. You might have to drop the DRAM throughput to 533Mhz on that board to achieve stability with 4 DRAM banks populated.

 

The problem with that suggestion is that the Intel P35 chipset's memory controller does not officially support running DDR2 memory at speeds below 667MHz throughput. In fact, some P35 motherboards will not even let you manually set the memory throughput below 667MHz with the CPU's FSB set at its official speed.

[DerekT]

In fact, some P35 motherboards will not even let you manually set the memory throughput below 667MHz with the CPU's FSB set at its official speed.

 

Correct you are. Thanks for the heads up. This board does not officially support 533Mhz and may well not allow for a drop down to 533. There may be no other recourse than to move to 2 X 2048MB.

[gbl7]

So how can I resolve the instability in my system? I have tested the RAM with memtest and each stick individually passes 2+ rounds. The way I see it, I bought RAM that was specced to operate in my system, yet it does not at spec, or even at the lowest possible settings. It would seem that a simple RMA would not resolve this problem. What else can I do to fix my system?

 

The options I see are running with only 2GB, replacing the 4x1GB with 2x2GB, or replacing my current RAM with 4x1GB that will actually work with my mobo. Any other suggestions?

[DerekT]

So how can I resolve the instability in my system? I have tested the RAM with memtest and each stick individually passes 2+ rounds. The way I see it, I bought RAM that was specced to operate in my system, yet it does not at spec, or even at the lowest possible settings. It would seem that a simple RMA would not resolve this problem. What else can I do to fix my system?

 

The options I see are running with only 2GB, replacing the 4x1GB with 2x2GB, or replacing my current RAM with 4x1GB that will actually work with my mobo. Any other suggestions?

 

A simple RMA will not change anything other than you will have different DRAM sticks. The problem is not the DRAM. The problem is that the MCH Northbridge (Memory Controller Hub) on the Motherboard can not run as fast on access and load with 4 DRAM banks filled as it can with 2 DRAM banks filled. Replacement of the DRAM will result in the same issue.

 

I advise migrating to 2 X 2048 with that board or applying an overclock and seeing if the MCH will accept it at a faster throughput stream. It's very likely that it will. The proof that this problem is independent of the DRAM is that this issue (of four DRAM banks filled) is with both Nvidia and Intel chipsets.

 

Try these settings. Have you been overclocking your system at all? I thought you had set it higher. If so can you tell me of what your CPU and DRAM settings were when overclocking?

 

MIB Intelligent Tweaker (M.I.T.)

 

Robust Graphics Booster = Auto

CPU Clock Ratio = 9

CPU Host Clock Control = Enabled

CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) = 300Mhz

PCI Express Frequency = 100Mhz

C.I.A.2 = Disabled

Performance Enhance = Standard

System Memory Multiplier = 2.0

Hi Speed DRAM DLL Settings = Option 2

DRAM Timing Selectable = Manual

CAS Latency Time = 5

DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay = 5

RAS# Precharge = 5

Precharge Delay (tRAS) = 15

ACT to ACT delay = Auto

Bank Write To READ Delay = Auto

Refresh to ACT Delay = 0

Read to Precharge Delay = Auto

 

System Voltage Control

DDR2 OverVoltage Control = +.3V

PCI-e OverVoltage Control = Normal

(G)MCH OverVoltage Control = +.05

CPU Voltage Control = Auto

[gbl7]

I was overclocking at one point (8x333), with a 2x memory mulitplier, but reduced it to stock 8x200 with the ram running at 667. I've now adjusted my settings as close to your recommendations as possible. My e2140 only has a 8x multiplier, so I have it set with 8x300, 2x memory multiplier (running at 600). I also changed High speed DRAM dll from option 1 to option 2, and set the MCH overvoltage to +0.1 (it only allows 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3).

 

 

You mentioned the overclocking the MCH so it allows a faster thoroughput, how do I make that change?

[DerekT]

I was overclocking at one point (8x333), with a 2x memory mulitplier, but reduced it to stock 8x200 with the ram running at 667. I've now adjusted my settings as close to your recommendations as possible. My e2140 only has a 8x multiplier, so I have it set with 8x300, 2x memory multiplier (running at 600). I also changed High speed DRAM dll from option 1 to option 2, and set the MCH overvoltage to +0.1 (it only allows 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3).

 

 

You mentioned the overclocking the MCH so it allows a faster thoroughput, how do I make that change?

 

You overclock the MCH by overclocking the FSB and the DRAM. When the CPU <--> MCH <--> DRAM overclock stream occurs, then the MCH is concurrently raised in the same way that the DRAM throughput is raised. I would raise the MCH +.2V.

 

Are you stable at 8 X 300 with 600Mhz DRAM? By stable I mean both memtest (2 Passes) and Prime95 (~8 Hours).

[gbl7]

Sadly, no, I am not stable at 8x300 (with MCH set to +0.1). I have not had time to run memtest/prime95, but I got another BSOD while running a game. To give you further information, following some BSODs (but not all) windows will not boot, and typically indicates that one or another system file is corrupt or damaged. In these cases I sometimes also have trouble with my system randomly restarting while trying to use the windows dvd for a repair installation, or even post looping and restarting. Following this most recent BSOD I had to remove two sticks or ram in order to make the computer usable and able to repair the damaged windows file(s).

 

I have to ask, why does Corsair recommend this ram for my motherboard when it is clearly not stable with all slots occupied? I feel like I am running our of options to make this functional and stable; I hope there is something Corsair support can do to help.

[DerekT]

I asked you to Memtest. You need to memtest before entering Windows or you very likely will corrupt your OS sooner or later. Memtest and when stable in Memtest you then test with Prime95 for stability.

 

Secondly, the issue is not that the DRAM will not run at that speed. It is that the motherboards memory controller has to do double duty and can not access and load with 4 sticks as fast as it does with 2 sticks. Please show me where you are recommended ANY DRAM at the 4 stick level?

 

Some motherboards will not accept 4 sticks at all and then you need to RMA the board to get one that will accept 4 slots.

 

Since you do not want to test the way I have advised, or increase the MCH the way I have advised, I doubt I can help you so I will bow out of this thread and let the Corsair staff or others try and help you.

[gbl7]

I apologize, I am following your instructions as best as I can. I had previously run memtest on each stick individually, I thought that was the best way to test the RAM. I will test the RAM again today/tomorrow with memtest. The MCH can only be set to +0.1, +0.2, or +0.3, you originally indicated to use +0.05, so +0.1 was the closest.

 

My motherboard, GA-P35-DS3L supports up to 8GB DDR2 (4x2GB), and there are several 4x1GB kits listed as supported by the mobo on Corsair's website. I thought that if 2x1GB sticks were recommended for the mobo, then 4x1GB sticks of the same RAM would also be stable, as I am simply running the 2x1GB kit in all of the supported slots.

 

Perhaps this assumption was incorrect, but as of now my only options are deling with BSODs, running only 2x1GB, or buying 2x2GB seperately. I am open to anything that will make this system stable, but I am a relative newbie and am trying to keep up with the tech-speak as best I can.

[RAM GUY]

Try setting the MCH Voltage to +.3 Volts and the memory frequency should be set to 266 Mhz if you are running the CPU at default.

[DerekT]

you originally indicated to use +0.05, so +0.1 was the closest.

 

My mistake. Please set to +.3v

 

My motherboard, GA-P35-DS3L supports up to 8GB DDR2 (4x2GB), and there are several 4x1GB kits listed as supported by the mobo on Corsair's website. I thought that if 2x1GB sticks were recommended for the mobo, then 4x1GB sticks of the same RAM would also be stable, as I am simply running the 2x1GB kit in all of the supported slots.

 

Perhaps this assumption was incorrect, but as of now my only options are deling with BSODs, running only 2x1GB, or buying 2x2GB seperately. I am open to anything that will make this system stable, but I am a relative newbie and am trying to keep up with the tech-speak as best I can.

 

The problem is that almost all motherboards will show support for four DRAM banks populated but do not run stably with four DRAM banks populated and in the end need to be sent back via RMA to receive a new one that will work with four DRAM banks populated. If you check any of the MOTHERBOARD forums and DRAM forums you will find pages and pages of boards that fail with four sticks populating and pass with three sticks, boards that fail with four but pass with two, etc. Often you can tweak the MOTHERBOARDS/DRAM to function, sometimes not and this is across the board, (no pun intended) with both Intel and Nvidia chipsets.

 

If you can not get your board to work at 667Mhz with 4 X 1024 of 800Mhz DRAM, then you can try to overclock the FSB which will raise the MCH and possibly find stability.

 

You have tried both of these methods. Hopefully the mistake of mine of the MCH @ .03v which should be +.3v on that board will alleviate the issue. If not, then you have a choice of RMA of the board or 2 X 2048 sticks of DRAM. Keep in mind that 2 X 2048 will allow you to run the DRAM at full bore without dropping the DRAM throughput.

 

Please accept my apologies for my error on the MCH raise. Please also test any changes to DRAM timings and speed before entering Windows. Please also test any CPU changes with OCCT for 30 minutes. If stable, then when you are finished tweaking and testing with OCCT, you can move to ~8 hours of Prime95 testing on the small fft's.

 

Download OCCT Here

[gbl7]

Thank you again for your assistance; I currently have the MCH set to +0.3, as well as overvolting most of the other settings by 0.1 in case that could impact overall stability. The e2140 is at stock (8x200) and the memory multi is at 3.00, as 2.66 is not an option, 2.5 or 3.0 were the closest.

 

I am currently running Memtest with all four sticks in, and it has run through one pass so far with no errors, I will let it run over night to give it some more time. Then I'll try OCCT, and allow Prime 95 to run through the day. The odd thing is, right before starting Memtest this evening I got another BSOD, so I am worried that even if the system passes the stability tests something could be screwy. RAM GUY recommended trying to get a blue screen in safe mode, to rule out driver issues. Beyond that I may reinstall Vista 64, but the install is so new, only a month or two, with the most up-to-date drivers I could find, that I doubt drivers are at fault.

 

I do appreciate the help, it is just very frustrating when, despite spending way too much time researching, my first full system build has mysterious issues start cropping up. I will let you know how the latest round of testing goes, and if the BSODs continue.

 

One final question - If I OC the fsb as high as possible with 2 sticks of ram, and get it prime stable with a 2.00 ram multiplier; then plug in the other two sticks of ram, that would be the best way to get the MCH stable?

 

Thank you for your help, who knows, maybe something will work :confused:

[DerekT]

One final question - If I OC the fsb as high as possible with 2 sticks of ram, and get it prime stable with a 2.00 ram multiplier; then plug in the other two sticks of ram, that would be the best way to get the MCH stable?

 

It's just not as simple as that. There is no cut and dried fool proof method to get a CPU <--> MCH <--> DRAM throughtput data stream fully stable with a 1-2-3 punch.

 

Normally, you remove the DRAM from the overclock by loosening the timings and the DRAM speed. Memtest at the low speed and if mem stable, then you begin to find the highest stable CPU Overclock. Once you have found your CPU stability overclock, you then work to "marry" the FSB to the DRAM in a ratio that produces system stability with Prime95.

 

Keep in mind that when overclocking, some boards will produce erorrs and even though found Prime95 stable, when one lowers the overclock, the stability is found. I have seen E6600/E6700 systems make 3.6Ghz fully stable on 12+ hours of Prime95 and Memtest stable. Yet every so often a blue screen occurs. When dropped down to 3.4Ghz the instability vanishes.

 

So, in the final result. Find yourself fully Memtest and Pime95 stable at your best overclock settings. Then if you find blue screens or other forms of instability, begin to drop the overclock somewhat until you find operating system stability. If you remove the overclock and the instability continues, then the issue is not the overclock.

[gbl7]

I am testing overclocking the fsb to 333 (2.66 overclock) with memory running at 667. It has passed memtest, OCCT, and is currently running Prime 95.

 

Hopefully this will finally put to rest the BSODs, and if by some chance they continue at least I know for sure the RAM/mobo was not at fault. Thank you to DerekT and RAM GUY who were both very helpful, I would recommend anyone else experiencing similar problems to call tech support/customer services as well as asking for help on the forums.

 

Edit: *You didn't see anything...*

[DerekT]

LMAO

 

Please let us know if you have any further issues :)