Help - Hubbies PC keeps crashing

T4i

If your hubby bought good branded RAM it *MAY* have a lifetime warranty.

I go for Kingston RAM because it comes with lifetime warranty they dont argue about returning defective products.....they just send RMA's out willy nilly.


I think Corsair also offer lifetime....

Sarahjovi

Thanks Guys,

Hubby brought some new ram last week before I posted on here about the problems. However the initial problem seems to have be solved by getting a new soundcard.

But now we need to test the old ram and the new ram independantly to see if they are causing the secondary BSOD problems, I suspect the old ram is to blame! I will let you know how we get on!

Thanks for all your help.

Sarah :grinheart

Sarahjovi

Ok heres the results of running Memtest on the 2 ram modules separately in the 2 slots

Old Ram Slot 1 52 errors Slot 2 139 errors

New Ram Slot 1 48 errors Slot 2 46 errors

Having read the read me file that comes with Memtest, it suggest checking the Bios timing settings are correct? The Ram is DDR 512mb PC3200 400mhz 184 pin. How do I find out the timing settings.

Thanks

Sarah

irnbru_2

Sarahjovi wrote:

How do I find out the timing settings.

That'll be BIOS specific.

Is it a custom built PC or one from a box shifter?

In your OP you said

Sarahjovi wrote:

Our local computer expert has not been able to fix it, has replaced various components, updated drivers, added memory, ran various diagnostic tests

helluva strange how you found errors and they did not.

I've never used it but CPUID has been recommended on this forum. Download it and post back the results.


You have two main options: slowing down the CPU or changing the memory timings as per memtest recommendation.

I'm wondering if somone messed about with the timings in an effort to tweak the performance?

T4i

When you get into BIOS, look for something similar to 'advanced chipset features'

In there you should see lots of things to do with FSB, Frequencies. The picture below shows how this BIOS looks for changing the RAM timings.



To enable the RAM timings to be changed here you first need to change the 'CPU clock ratio' to expert.

This should open up the other settings to change....The onr RAM timing I would change first would be the CAS latency. It may be at 2 or 2.5 (cycles) changing this to a HIGHER value may stablise your RAM.

If you install somethnig like Everest it *should* tell you what RAM you have. This is useful because you can then look on the net for that type of RAM and its correct timings. The BIOS should pick the timings up auto though......and my guess is one of your sticks has got flu.

CAS - Biggest effect on performance (2.0 faster - 3.0 slower)
T-RCD - Little effect on performance
T-RAS - Little effect on performance
T-RP - Little effect on performance

Sarahjovi

Hello,

I think the computer is what you would call one from a box shifter! High spec, but cheap! (Lesson learnt!)

I have download CPUZ and here are the results

DDR - SDRAM...........Channels# Single

FSB: DRAM..................FSB-33Mhz
CAS# Latency .............2.5 Clocks
RAS# to CAS # DELAY...3 Clocks
Cycle Time (Tras).........7 Clocks

Bios American Megatrends Inc
P1.00

Clocks
Core Speed......3000 Mhz
Multiplier.......... X 15
FSB ................200Mhz
Bus Speed........800Mhz


SPD

Slot 1 DDR SDRAM

SPD Timings Table
Frequence.........166mhz...........200Mhz

Cas#Latency........2.5...............3.0
RAS# to Cas#.......3 ................3
RAS# Precharge....3 ................3
TRAS# ...............7 .................8

Slot 2 - Same as slot 1

I've had a look at the Chipset Advance Features and it looks like everything is set to Auto.

Our local computer expert is actually a neighbour, but hes usually spot on!
Thanks

Sarah :grinheart

T4i

hmmmmmmm........wierd....

From what I can see there......

Your FSB is at 200Mhz. Meaning your RAM should be using these settings:-

Cas#Latency.......................3.0
RAS# to Cas#......................3
RAS# Precharge...................3
TRAS# ..............................8

Infact your RAM settings are as follows:-

Cas#Latency.......................2.5
RAS# to Cas#......................3
RAS# Precharge...................3
TRAS# ..............................7

Thats if your RAM is running 1:1 with your FSB.

If so I'd try change your CAS Latency from 2.5 to 3 and your TRAS from 7 to 8.

Strange how the auto bios isnt altering the settings for 166/200Mhz values.

Sarahjovi

Okie Dokie,

I've tried changing the CAS latency and TRAs as suggest with no joy, however I noticed that the Bios Main page is showing the frequency on both modules as 166mhz hence the settings for that! I assume. I've tried changing the setting manually to 200mhz and the CAS latency and Tras for that, but the memtest is still throwing up loads of errors on test 7. I've left the setting at 200mhz, but put the other settings back to auto for now! Hubby is playing a game to see what happens! (Edit: It crashed of course, I've set everything back to Auto for now).

We've double checked the Ram and it is definately DDR 512mb PC3200 400mhz in each slot.

It all seems very wierd to me! and I know nothing!

Sarah

irnbru_2

Sarahjovi wrote:

I've tried changing the CAS latency and TRAs as suggest with no joy, however I noticed that the Bios Main page is showing the frequency on both modules as 166mhz hence the settings for that!

I ran memtest86 v1.60 on my box (which uses cheapo memory) just to see what it said.

Setting: RAM 200Mz (DDR400) CAS: 3-3-3-8

From what you say it should show up DDR333 in memtest on yours?

You're definately in the territory where PC techs make money

It would be really helpful to know the motherboard and with that I'd be looking for an updated bios.

However, you'll just have to slow down that memory.

Is it possible for your neighbour to test your old/new memory?

Sarahjovi

Hello...

The Motherboard is ASRock P4VM8

Chipset VIA VT8237

Southbridge VIA VT8237

Sensor Winbond W83697HF

"From what you say it should show up DDR333 in memtest on yours?" No Doesn't say that anywhere in memtest.

It says L1 Cache: 16 20976 MB/s
L2 Cache: 1024K 18403 MB/s
Memory: 1023M 1260 MB/s

Rsvdmem 360K

In CPUZ it says FSB: DRAM FSB-33Mhz



"You're definately in the territory where PC techs make money" Oh Dear!

"Is it possible for your neighbour to test your old/new memory?" I would have thought so!


Would completely wiping the hard drive and reinstalling windows etc., help?

Thanks

Sarah :grinheart