A7N8X fails memory test at boot

My several months old A7N8x Deluxe system (specs below) started intermittantly failing memory test at boot. Sometimes, upon reboot, the delightful woman's voice informed me the system failed due to overclocking. Now I am getting frequent no-post boots. Any suggestions?

System specs:
mobo: ASUS A7N8X deluxe
CPU: AMD XP 2500+ Barton
Ram: Kingston 512MB 3200 DDR
video: ASUS G4Ti4200 w/64MB
Case: Antec SLK3700, with generic 400W power supply after original failed
Windows XP home

settings:
default, when symptoms began, CPU ext freq 166MHZ, CPU freq 11.0x; memory freq auto
after symptoms descripted above, explored with CPU ext freq 133 MHZ, CPU freq 10.0x; memory freq SPD (200); all to no avail.

Thanks in advance,
Ralph

 

Do you have another stick of ram to test in the machine, have you tried the ram in a different slot
I would suggest running memtest 86 to test the integrity of the ram
download from here
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=1247

Click on the authors link in the top right hand corner for instructions etc

 

Might also want to reset board, board will return to default settings, reconfigure to suit, Set your cpu Freq to 166mhz, Multiple 11.0 x
System performance to user defined
Cpu interface to Optimal
Memory Frequency to 100% then your resulting frequency= 200mhz, if your resulting frequency is not 200mhz adj % till it is 200mhz
Memory timings= User Defined, (default probable not best settings), I would start with what your memory is rated for, ( if dont know start with 7- 3- 3 - 3T 2.6v, then try for boot, can always change timmings, only make small changes ( I have some Black diamond pc2700 ddr running at 7 3 3 2.5T 2.6v dual channel,on another asus board running samsung pc3200 at 6 3 3 3T 2.6v single channel) ,timmings all vary depending an brand and mobo.
DDR Voltage, at stock speeds youll probably need to be at 2.6v or 2.7v
FSB Spread = disabled
AGP spectrum= disabled
CPU Vcore setting= auto
Cpu vcore= 1.65v

Is that 2 sticks of 256 running in dual channel, or just one stick?
If you were over clocking before possible some dammage has been done

I love my Asus A7N8X 2.0 Deluxe, bios ver. 1007 mobo, XP2500, pc2700 running in dual channel.

 

Thanks for the advice.

I'm not posting at all now. I'll beg, borrow or steal some RAM to see if that works. The RAM I have now is a single 512MB stick. Got that figuring I could easily add another stick to get to 1GB and then use dual channel. With 2x256MB, I didn't think I could get both 1 GB and dual channel. On the other hand, with 2x256MB, I could do mor trouble shooting with what I have.

Since it's not posting, I can't get into BIOS to try your configuration suggestions, though I know I was last very close to your recomended CPU settings.

I was not knowingly overclocking but still getting an occasional post warning. Hope I haven't fried anything. How will I know if I did?

 

Dont give up yet!
With memory failure, bad timmings ?, Is related cause of not posting or having access to bios.

Here's what I would do =
You need to first reset your board reset cmos

Turn off power to computer & unplug power cord.

On your mobo is battery (is like watch battery) remove it.

There is jumper I believe just to the right of battery ( the jumper is on pin 1 & 2) there is three pins total you will remove it place it on pins 2 & 3 for few seconds then put back on pins 1 & 2 ( on mobo small print Identifing jumper CLRTC1)

Reinstall battery.

That resets board, can also refer to page 21 of mobo manual.

Plug in computer, turn on power, hold down delete key, will allow you to access bios, even if memory is Toast
Dont try to post, just for the moment only try to access bios,( hold delete key from the moment you power up, till you acess bios) to make cpu and memory settings changes...

Maybe your memory is good, dont rite it off yet, you may very well have other problems, we'll hope not!
even if you get other ram you'll still have to reset your board before youll be able to post, and if timings wrong youll may still have same problem

Try it out if you can get back into bios and you make some changes then try to post, if failes to post repete reset of board
Do you know what your memory reccomended timmings are??

To run in Dual Channel need to use same size sticks and best to use same brand, if not same brand, at least same Specs, I use a match pair, other run dual channel with out match pair, at asus web site is list of reccomended ddr or tested stuff, mine is not on ther list but was guarenteed by vender.
These boards are picky with memory!

 

same mobo, same problem?

I seem to be having same prob. w/ same mobo. and cpu, only I have two sticks of 512, 2700. and most of the time only a temporary lag to post. thought this was a cooling issue. cuz at times when I cant post, I'll plug in my larg fan ( w/ the airplaine engine) , then I can boot too win. no prob..however I was using default settings w/ fsb spread at 50% (still dont know what it is but cpu now running cooler I believe. but I am still not sure wich banks to use for ram. guid gives two options. but dose not tell me why to use either so at this point I have one in bank labled b1 the other in a2. any suggestions, seems b1 should be used all times w/ more than 1 stick of ram. thanks in advance for help and also for letting me blow some wind . ran mem test 86 last night found no errors. thks again

 

Thanks again for the advice.

Following General Lee Stoned’s advice I tried the one memory stick in each of the three DIMM slots. No help.

However, I did notice a small amount of tan colored dust between the cylindrical object next to the first DIMM slot and the DIMM slot, with some dust on the DIMM slot and some on the memory stick. Unless someone recommends otherwise, I’ll get some canned air on the way home Tuesday and clean the dust off the DIMM slot and the memory stick. Any idea what the dust is from? It is very localized to this immediate area.

Following ASUS’s advice, here’s what I tried:

1. Unplug, remove battery, jump CLRTC1 to 2&3, then return to 1&2
2. Power on, holding Delete key
3. For several attempts the Female voice stated System failed memory test – then it went to BIOS setup, so I SET
• Cpu FREQ TO 166 mhz, Multiple 11
• Resulting freq of 200 MHZ, required Memory freq to 120%
• Memory timings to 7-3-3-3T (I didn’t find timings on Kingston data sheet)
• DDR voltage 2.6V
4. After a save, I got the Female voice stating System failed memory test

Should I continue iterations of this, varying the memory timings? How can I find out the ideal timings for this memory? It is KVR400X64C25/512; 2.6V.

Thanks to all,
Ralph

 

You should probably start new thread!, I'll reply anyway!

This may help both of ya's
http://www.directron.com/fsbguide.html
http://www.corsairmicro.com/memory_basics/153707/index.html
http://www.rojakpot.com/default.aspx?location=9

My asus board 3 ram slots =#1 #2 #3
to run in dual channel use #1 & #3 or #2 & #3
Not running in dual channel does not matter
#1 and #2 = one channel ( both slots= blue in color)
#3 = the other channel ( slot = Black in color)

First step review links and set up board to suit your set up
Keep in mind Asus nforce boards picky with memory

 

Dust in the PC we'll kinda normal, all my rigs All incoming air is filtered, I still manage to have alittle dust get in. Blow it out.

Seems like alittle progress for you

Ill see what I can find out on your kingston timmings

your memory may not be compatible or bad , isnt that kingston lifetime warrenty?
Try to up your DDR voltage to 2.7V (Maybe consider 2.8v ,but you risk frying memory if not aready so)

Your memory KVR..... is that there value select family ( not considered premium stuff) HUM! may have read compatible problems with this board I not sure though???
Timmings the lower the number = the more agressive the setting

I'll get back to ya

 

Exact timings ?? dont see all specs. Although it Is CL 2.5 / 2.5T
At newegg 10 rewiews acouple are from people running same board
one rewiew says rated CL 2.5 but can run at CL 2

Kingston Technical Support 1-714-435-2639
Toll Free Only USA & Cannada 1-800-435-0640

Change settings to 7 3 3 2.5T and voltage 2.7v and see

 

ASUS,

The dust was in a very concentrated area adjacent to the memory stick and of very fine texture. It was very distinct from the run-of-the-mill dust. I'm glad to hear it's not a problem indicator.

Yes, this memory is the Value Ram stuff. Both ASUS's and Kingston's site indicate it is OK memory for this mobo. Kingston confirms it has a lifetime warranty, so that's good news. Having said all that, I realize it is still possible to have a memory compatibility problem. The N-force boards are known to be fussy about RAM.

I'll blow out the dust after work and give the Kingston tech line a call. Thanks for all!
Ralph

 

If ya get any wise wisdom from Kingston post it.

Also want to add I wasnt trying to knock Kingston value ram, I too have some running on another pc It works great, bought it dirt cheap.

Let us know how things work out
Good luck!

 

Kingston Tech Support didn't want to share timings. Said that however the mobo defaulted was correct.

Rather, they wanted to swap out the memory and gave me an RMA accordingly. The new DIMM module is due in Austin Thursday morning and I plan to install that evening. I'll let you know how it turns out - win, lose, or draw.

 

working well

Thanks all !!! , Yes I should have started new thread ( but the prob. sounded exacly the same ). However mine was a simple solution. 1st I sat down w/ 2 cans of air, took pc apart and dusted everything. then added round IDE cable to rom drives (hoping to get better air flow). put pc together w/ mem. in single-chanel mode (have not tried duel yet, as everything seems to be running fine).,set bios back to default, then added a large noisey fan w/ a speed control. Now I can play ut2004 w/ my 7500 aiw, no crashes, no freezing, no studder. seems to be running fine. where I could not even play an mp3 from my hard drive before. when I play system taxing games I just turn the fan speed up a little. temps stay down to about 44 when playing ut.right now I can barly here fan and temp is 40 (fan turned down). at complete idel I am getting down to about 37. bios rev. still 1009 seems everything is ok. Anyhow professor you might try this simple solution, cuz my sysmptoms sounded same as yours. and adding cooling wont hurt.( I too, started out playing w/ bios first & could not get the right settings) Hope it works well for you too. Thanks again to all who posted, W.rabbit