ob1newbee Posted February 6, 2007 Share Posted February 6, 2007 Have upgraded A8N-SLI Premium from single to dual core. Went from 3500+ to x2 4400+ Been running great with 3500+ for several months in Dual Channel mode with TWINX1024-3200C2PRO Corsair DIMMs. But now with x2 4400+ can only get system to clear POST and boot with a SINGLE DIMM MODULE in SLOT A1.:confused: How to get both modules in single mode or both as before in dual? Can anyone offer some assistance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsafej Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I'm having exactly the same problem with my A8N premium, i bought a +4600 x2 cpu to replace a standard +3800 cpu and it gave me the "failed memory test" message at post... I also managed to get it working with both my 1gig twinx3500LL dimms in slots a1 & a2, it wont post in any other configuration, which is no good as i really want it running dual channel :sigh!: The memory dimms are fine and were working quite happily in dual channel mode with the +3800 cpu, it seems to be a problem with the X2 chip and the corsair dimms... Anyone got any advice ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ob1newbee Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 Your comments got me wondering. It could be that the different cpu core and architecture may effect timings/bus loadings or something. Anyway enough of a difference to be an issue with maybe certain earlier revisions of memory DIMM's (asuumption that there are revisions)?:confused: Wonder how much testing has been done in this area, as dual core is still relatively newish. But how to compensate? Cant see how BIOS timing settings make any difference until POST is cleared; so how on earth do we adjust systems to cope? Is that a correct assumption? Do any of the bios settings get applied before the POST is completed? If not its fundamentally a hardware level signal incompatability, and can only be resolved presumably by swapping a number of modules/ mobos /cpus until a combination is found that works together.:(: Sounds expensive and time consuming and impractical unless you have access to all those resources. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ob1newbee Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 To be fair to corsair (in this instance) I guess the same could apply to earlier revisions of CPU's. My x2 4400 has a stepping E6 which I believe is the most upto date? Please correct me someone if I am in error. But I dont think all versions are supported by A8N-SLI Premium? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted February 7, 2007 Corsair Employee Share Posted February 7, 2007 ob1newbee, and bigsafej You need to put your old CPU back in and then make sure you have the latest bios and then when you change CPU's you need to either reset the Bios and load setup defaults or just laod setup defaults and then set the memory timings and Voltage and test the system with http://www.memtest.org, but you will need to reset the Bios for it to see the new CPU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ob1newbee Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 Thanks you for your input. When I have the dual core CPU installed with both my corsair dimms I cannot even get into the BIOS setup program. When I have the dual core CPU and only one dimm in slot A1, my system works normally (windows recognises and uses both cores). But I cannot get the dual core CPU clearing POST with anything more than one dimm and only in slot A1. Consequently my 4400+ x2 is operational but I have very low RAM level on my system with just the single CMX512. What must I change or do to get dual core and dual channel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted February 7, 2007 Corsair Employee Share Posted February 7, 2007 Did you load the latest bios and then try what I suggested? You need to put your old CPU back in and then make sure you have the latest bios and then when you change CPU's you need to either reset the Bios and load setup defaults or just laod setup defaults and then set the memory timings and Voltage and test the system with http://www.memtest.org, but you will need to reset the Bios for it to see the new CPU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ob1newbee Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 Thanks for you speedy reply. Yes I have flashed my mobo so it has the latest bios version 1303. (ASUS support emailed this version to me last week) Prior to installing the current 4400+ dual core I did a CMOS clear by removing the battery for several seconds. However as yet I have not LOADED DEFAULTS and am unclear why this would be needed after a CMOS clear? Please enlighten me. Just this minute downloaded a bootable ISO of memtest. Can only test one dimm then must remove and instal the other to test as currently have dual core cpu installed (trying to minimse handling risk each time I swap CPU's). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted February 7, 2007 Corsair Employee Share Posted February 7, 2007 Removing the battery will not clear the bios, you need to set the CLRTC Jumper to Clear for a few seconds, and for sure you need to load setup defaults when ever you make hardware or firmware changes, please read the manual I believe this it's in there it used to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ob1newbee Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 please bare with me have entered bios setup and reset to bios defaults. changed dram settings and voltage saved and exit rebooting from floppy now running memtest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted February 7, 2007 Corsair Employee Share Posted February 7, 2007 Let me know if its working, and if you only had one module you will need to do the same when you install the second stick. By the way you need to disable legacy USB with this MB when running http://www.memtest.org. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ob1newbee Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 stubborness and inexperience are not a good combination. I will do EXACTLY as you say. will power down remove cmos battery make the link (actually did do that b4 forgot to mention sorry) reboot enter bios set defaults change dram voltage and timings save and exit boot to memtest how doz that sound? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ob1newbee Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 please clarify. do you mean i should install the second stick on its own replacing the stick that is currently being tested. And that I should repeat all these steps again starting with the CMOS clear once the 2nd stick is installed in A1 slot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted February 7, 2007 Corsair Employee Share Posted February 7, 2007 Well No! But its not a bad idea to test the modules one at a time if you think you have a failing module. What I said was when you add the second module you are making a hard ware change in the size of total memory and this loading setup defaults would be suggested. But if both modules are the same and you are changing them one for one you dont need to do that only if the modules are different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ob1newbee Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 thanks i will take small steps so will test next stick on its own once have 100% pass on stick 1 once stick2 checked will try both sticks a1 + b1 and repeat sequence from cmos clear i hope i can clear POST this time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted February 7, 2007 Corsair Employee Share Posted February 7, 2007 Just turn the power off and remove the battery and let me know how you make out! I will check on it in the morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ob1newbee Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 both sticks tested and had at least 1 full pass no errors reported so left stick2 in slot A1 (blue) put stick1 in slot B1 (blue) removed cmos battery shorted link for 10 seconds replaced link to normal position replaced battery powered up one long beep two short not clearing POST. what now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsafej Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I'd suggest you do what i've done.... Send the chip back and put your old one back in, looks like theres some sort of compatibility issue with X2 cpus, A8N's, and Corsiar ram, i've tried pretty much everything and none of it's worked, so the chips been RMA'd back for a refund :sigh!: The guy i spoke to at the place i bought the chip told me it's the third one hes had back recently for exactly the same reason ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted February 7, 2007 Corsair Employee Share Posted February 7, 2007 That would suggest there is either a problem with the MB or with the CPU. Also please try the other slots A2 and B2, I think you will find the system may work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ob1newbee Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 Have tried both sticks together in a1+b1 a2+b2 a1+a2 b1+b2 Have tried single stick (either work) in a1 in b1 The only working combination is a single stick in A1 slot nothing else clears POST. Cannot see how it would be my Mobo as it works fine with a single core CPU and A1+B1 in dual channel with the same RAM sticks. This is the 2nd dual core I have tried as I returned the first one a couple of weeks ago as it did the same thing. 2 faulty CPUs with exactly same problem would seem unlikely I am coming to the conclusion that there is a compataibilty issue with the combniation of A8N + XMS + x2 and may have to abandon hopes of getting a dual core functioning properly in my system. Very dissappointing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted February 7, 2007 Corsair Employee Share Posted February 7, 2007 I would suggest talking to the MB maker and ask them to replace the MB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ob1newbee Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 The fact that this mobo has been funtioning fine with single core and corsair dual channel very stable from june to december would maybe difficult to pursuade them to RMA my motherboard? Do you think that I could have this level of functionality and still have some fault with my motherboard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsafej Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I would suggest talking to the MB maker and ask them to replace the MB. Why would you do that if you know the sytem works fine in dual channel mode with the origional cpu ? Seems to me it's more likely a limitation of the chips memory controller or an incompatibilty issue with our setups. Anyway i've given up and the old chips back in running things perfectly in dual channel mode.... Thanks for your input all the same o/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Employee RAM GUY Posted February 8, 2007 Corsair Employee Share Posted February 8, 2007 The CPU may use different pins in the CPU socket when you have a dual core CPU verses a single core CPU and testing that CPU in another MB or the MB with another like CPU to be sure would be suggested. But if the memory works with out problems with one CPU and not with the other, then its the CPU or MB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ob1newbee Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share Posted February 8, 2007 Thanks for you explaination regarding socket pins. As a x2 4400+ currently sits in this socket on my a8n-sli premium and works very well with 1 stick of cmx512 in slot A1 would there be any pins that havent been used? Bare in mind the dual channel pins from single core cpu must be OK as that all worked from this same socket. So does the dual core use extra pins to arbitrate dual channel that are not used by single core? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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