Odd RAM problem

[casper250c]

I have an odd problem here

I have been running 2x1 gig sticks of pc8500 dominator and never had any issues but I recently acquired 2 more 1giggers so I tossed them in and for some reason the computer will POST fine but will not begin to load Windows it restarts itself to goto post again over and over..

The part which is odd is that it only happens if I try to run the RAM at 1066mhz (stock) or higher anything under 1066 and it will fire up and run perfectly..

I've tested the computer with just the new sticks and it runs fine @1066 but when I add the other 2 sticks it goes back into the loop of post restart post ect. so the RAM is not damaged..

I've tried running the 2 pairs in the other 2 slots I wasnt using before and it's fine so the slots are ok..

I've checked the voltage that was fine I even bumped it up as high as 2.3v stock is 2.1 in case for some reason they were not getting enough juice that wasn't the problem..

Checked the timings they are ok..

I even set everything to 100% stock and still it will not fire up if I try to run them @ 1066 or higher..

I can't think of anything else to do does anyone have any idea what's going on and how I can make them run AT LEAST at stock speed??

 

[erocker]

Set the NB voltage to 1.45v's and see if it helps.

 

[casper250c]

Ok I'll give that a shot in the morning and let you know the outcome

Thank you

 

[casper250c]

Well setting the NB to 1.45 did not make any difference I set it up as high as 1.6 yet still I can not boot with the RAM @1066

 

[Kreij]

I had the exact same problem on my P5W DH Deluxe Mobo.
With 4G in it, it just did not want to behave at 1066.

I ended up running them slower than the rated speed (due mostly to the fact that I was in the process of upgrading anyway and was too lazy to do anymore testing )

 

[JC316]

Asus is touchy when it comes to ram. Just run it a step higher or lower, it should make it stable then.

 

[casper250c]

JC316, normally I would agree with your point but I bought all 4 gigs from the same guy and he had the same 4 sticks in his computer all running @1066 and up with no trouble, the weird thing is his computer is literally an exact twin to mine except for case and CPU cooler..

This is why I was scratching my head trying to figure out what was wrong I know for a fact that all 4 sticks functioned perfectly in his computer so they should work the same in mine.. BTW b4 anyone asks yes I trust this guy 100% I've known him quite a while now and he would not have told me they were fine if they were not..

 

[Kreij]

While your logic is sound, not all ASUS Mobos, even of the same type, work the same.
All electronic components work within a tolerance and if the board you happen to have is finicky you are going to have to tweak everything to get it to work the same as his. If you can.
Sometimes all the tweaking in the world will not produce the same results on two Mobo's of the same type.

 

[casper250c]

Well I actually shouldn't say exact twin but the main components RAM, Mobo, Video cards, Sound card are.. Differences being the drives CPU and PSU

 

[casper250c]

Hmm so Kreij I may be stuck running them at a lower setting regardless?

 

[Kreij]

Not neccessarily. What I would do is put 2G in and get it running stable at 1066.
Then add 1 more stick and see what happens.
Can you run 3 sticks at 1066? If so, add the 4th.
At that point something is happening to cause problems.
That's where the troubleshooting starts.
Perhaps loosen up the timings even more to see what happens first before changing the voltages.
You need to find out what component (or components) are slowing you down.
Post your results on EVERYTHING you try and we will all try to get you to 1066

 

[casper250c]

Kreij, Thank you sir I'll start on that 2maro and post my results as I go

 

[casper250c]

Sorry I never got near my computer since my last post to try your suggestions Kreij but I also have another question..

I'm still running the stock BIOS, I never needed to update it seeing as until now everything was running perfectly so I figured if it ain't broke don't fix it, could the BIOS have anything to do with my current RAM issue?

 

[Kreij]

Sorry I never got near my computer since my last post to try your suggestions Kreij but I also have another question..

I'm still running the stock BIOS, I never needed to update it seeing as until now everything was running perfectly so I figured if it ain't broke don't fix it, could the BIOS have anything to do with my current RAM issue?

It's possible. I would update to the latest "released" BIOS.
I tend to stay away from Beta BIOS's.

Looks like version 0903 is the latest for Vista (32 and 64) and the P5E