TWINX2048-3200 on MSI K7N2G-ILSR MoBo Not Booting

[jx3link]

I am running a whitebox PC with the following current specs:

• MSI K7N2G-ILSR motherboard
  
• AMD Socket A, Athlon XP 2000+ CPU
  
• DDR SDRAM (184 pin) 2 x 256MB (512MB total) in slots 1 & 3 for true DDR
  
• nVIDIA nForce2 IGP chipset (note: I am using the on-board graphics processor)
  
• Windows 2000 SP4
  

 

My mobo specs indicate support for up to 3GB of PC3200/2700/2100/1600 DDR SDRAMs (both 64-bit and 128-bit), and a FSB that supports 200/266/333 MHz clocks. Here is my problem:

 

I recently decided to upgrade my main memory with Corsair TWINX2048-3200 (2GB)... part no. CMX1024-3200 (2 sticks), XMS no. and ver. XMS3200v5.2. At the time of install, I believed (perhaps mistakenly) that my BIOS would auto-detect and adjust settings for the new memory sticks, but upon booting up, my monitor screen went to some wierd color pattern. I could not even boot into my BIOS settings menu. I am not sure how to compensate for this condition. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[DerekT]

Please only use the two Corsair modules.

Download Memtest86+ V2.11 from--->

Here

and extract the ISO image. Burn the ISO image to an CD-ROM disk.

Download CPU-z from

Here

.

and extract the ISO image. Burn the ISO image to an CD-ROM disk.

 

Perform a hard reset to clear any BIOS stack corruption issues.

1. Shut the system down
   
2. Remove the power cord
   
3. Remove the CMOS Battery
   
4. Set the CMOS_CLR Jumper to On
   
5. Press the power button for 10 seconds
   
6. Let sit for 10 minutes
   
7. Set the CMOS_CLR Jumper to Off
   
8. Insert the CMOS Battery
   
9. Insert the Power Cord
   
10. Restart the system
    
11. Enter the BIOS
    
12. Load Default Settings
    
13. Save Default Settings and Exit

 

Insert a single stick in the Slot 1 (Closest to the CPU). Enter BIOS and set these values:

 

Memory Timings = Manual

Memclock Value = DDR400
CAS Latency (CL) = 3
Burst Length = Auto
Active to Command (tRCD) = 3
Active to Precharge (tRAS) = 8
Precharge to Active (tRP) = 3
DRAM Timing = 2T

Memory Voltage = 2.8v

Boot to the Memtest Version 2.11 CD and allow for two full passes. Remove the stick and insert the second stick in Slot 3 and retest. Finally, insert a stick in slot 1 and slot 3. Retest.

 

Results?

[jx3link]

Thanks, DerekT.

 

I was able to re-install my previous memory sticks without any problem and rebooted okay. Would I still need to do the hard reset?

 

I did already download the memtest (v2.11), but in the floppy boot version (I'm one of those folks who still have a 3.5" FDD... :).

 

I appreciate your time and assistance.

[jx3link]

Oh, yeah... one other thing...

 

Since I am using the on-board IGP (integrated graphics processor), I heard somewhere that I might be limited to DDR333 for the MemClock value. What do you know about that issue?

 

Thanks again.

[RAM GUY]

That may be true but you should ask the MB maker about its limitations or check the manual.

[jx3link]

Okay... my bad... I guess I was sounding too vague. Here is the exact text from MSI's web site re: my particular motherboard:

 

nVIDIA® nForce2 IGP Chipset

• Supports DDR266/333 with internal graphic core, DDR266/333/400 with external add-on card
  
• AGP 3.0 8x interface at 533MHz
  

 

FSB

• FSB 200/266/333 MHz clocks are supported
  

 

Main Memory

• Supports six memory banks using three 184-pin DDR DIMMs
  
• Supports up to 3GB PC3200/2700/2100/1600 DDR SDRAMs
  
• Supports both 64-bit and 128-bit DDR SDRAM
  

 

Based on the above, it sounds like I may not be able to take advantage of the DDR400 capabilities of this RAM (unless, of course, I decide to add a video card).

 

My main concern (please read my original post at the start of this thread if you haven't already) is getting my system to recognize the new memory in the first place. Obviously, it could involve some adjustments to my BIOS settings, but getting into the BIOS with the new memory sticks is proving to be problematic.

 

Again, any instructions as to how to proceed would be appreciated. Thanks!

[DerekT]

What part of my post (if any) did you follow? You don't seem to want to follow instructions and then you ask for further instructions? I doubt if I can help you then. There needs to be a two way response.

 

Again, any instructions as to how to proceed would be appreciated. Thanks!

[jx3link]

Excuse me, DerekT (if you can suspend the attitude for just a second).

 

My last post (prior to this) was actually directed to RAM Guy, where I had a specific question about possible DDR limitations. If you actually went back and followed the sequential flow of the thread, you would have seen that I had two follow-up questions for you, which you did not apparently deem worthy of response (questions repeated below).

 

1. I was able to re-install my previous memory sticks without any problem and rebooted okay. Would I still need to do the hard reset?
   
   
2. Since I am using the on-board IGP (integrated graphics processor), I heard somewhere that I might be limited to DDR333 for the MemClock value. What do you know about that issue?
   
   

 

The first question was re: action I had already taken prior to posting anything on this forum. It was based on the fact that you were instructing me to fundamentally tinker with my PC and I was simply wondering if that was really necessary since I was able to go back to my original setup without any problem. It is the kind of dialog I would have had with you had we been able to speak face-to-face. Your instructions assumed some sort of corruption issue, and, yet, I was able to return to my original state with no problem. I was simply seeking additional clarification. You immediately assumed that I was some stubborn, non-compliant idiot. What you expected was blind obedience, not an actual "two way response" (as you so arrogantly put it).

 

As for my question 2. above, I think I may have gotten an answer to that from the MSI documentation re: my specific mainboard (although it is still not entirely clear whether the DDR limitation is confined simply to the video graphics processing or extends to the system as a whole).

 

Anyway, you are probably right when you said, "I doubt if I can help you...", for you seem to have the soul and demeanor of a cheerless bureaucrat. Good day to you, sir.

[DerekT]

Indeed, if you look at your original post and my response of instructions you will see that I proposed certain actions and responses for you to post.

 

Nothing was done. Your response to me was to ask if you needed to perform the reset of the system. Then you gave me information on what memtest method you chose. You did not respond to any of my instructions and then in the next post you asked how to proceed with your BIOS settings. You may seem to see my demeanor as cheerless. I see it as to the point. You asked for help. I gave help. You bypassed that help and continued to ask for help.

 

If you see that as a two way informational and instructional trouble-shooting method, then we certainly will have to agree to disagree.

 

This was why I said that I doubt if I can help you. Clearly so far, my doubt is sustainable.

 

Good day to you as well.

 

Anyway, you are probably right when you said, "I doubt if I can help you...", for you seem to have the soul and demeanor of a cheerless bureaucrat. Good day to you, sir.