Memory Problem w/ASUS A7V133 MB in XP Pro - repost

[sced13ri]

Original post 3/2/08
Just checking to be sure message is up on the group. usually
responses negative or positive show up faster than two days.

Appreciate any help.

sced13ri


I seem to have a unique problem. This is a system I built several
years ago using the above referenced MB. I am running WindowsXP
Pro SP2 with multiple HDs and Optical drives. Everything runs
fine with no system problems or failures since upgrading from ME
to XP Home to XP Pro. That includes filling all three memory
slots with 256MB DIMM SDram sticks 768MB total.

The problem begins when I try to upgrade the memory using 512MB
sticks specifically listed for this MB. Twice I have tried to add
512 by removing one 256 which would bring me to 1024MB. All of
the sticks worked fine individually, two or three 256 sticks work
perfectly but, two 256 and one 512 hung the machine and it would
not boot. In fact, it would not boot with one 256 + one512.
Weird! So I returned the 512.

Thinking it might be an unusual compatibility problem, I just
purchased three 512 sticks since this board will take 1536MB
total. No go but, a different scenario with more helpful info I hope.

Again, all three sticks work perfectly by themselves. However,
when I add a second stick the correct total shows in the boot
splash screen and in the bios so I know the memory is being
recognized. But, the system returns an error message in the
nature of "Trap error 00000006" with a lot of code following or,
will boot up to the place where the vertical lines flash across
the bottom of the screen at which point the system hangs up. This
happens with any combination of two sticks.

The next is even worse, any combination of three sticks results
in no boot, just a blank screen, sometimes with a 1 delay 2 beep
code. Mostly just a blank screen, no codes. It seems my machine
is acting like WindowsME with it's memory problems but my Bootcfg
and system.ini files are clean. BTW, the AWARD beep code
description did not reference my problem.

The MB specs state that any combination of sticks in any of the
slots should work. I do make sure to start at slot 1 when
checking individual singles and combinations but, nothing seems
to work.

Sorry for the long post, it's just my attempt to provide the most
info I can. I wanted the extra memory since I do quite a bit with
photo programs and am looking for a little faster performance. I
would appreciate any reasonable suggestions related to the
problem. If it cannot be resolved, I need to once again return
the sticks. BTW, the manufacturers support system was unable to
resolve the problem either at the web site or by phone. So, here
I am, looking for help from the gurus.

Many thanks in advance.

sced13ri

 

[DL]

So what make are these sticks?
If they were a reputable brand then there would be tech support, tried there
for any specific bios timings?

 

[Paul]

Original post 3/2/08
Just checking to be sure message is up on the group. usually responses
negative or positive show up faster than two days.

Appreciate any help.

sced13ri


I seem to have a unique problem. This is a system I built several
years ago using the above referenced MB. I am running WindowsXP
Pro SP2 with multiple HDs and Optical drives. Everything runs
fine with no system problems or failures since upgrading from ME
to XP Home to XP Pro. That includes filling all three memory
slots with 256MB DIMM SDram sticks 768MB total.

The problem begins when I try to upgrade the memory using 512MB
sticks specifically listed for this MB. Twice I have tried to add
512 by removing one 256 which would bring me to 1024MB. All of
the sticks worked fine individually, two or three 256 sticks work
perfectly but, two 256 and one 512 hung the machine and it would
not boot. In fact, it would not boot with one 256 + one512.
Weird! So I returned the 512.

Thinking it might be an unusual compatibility problem, I just
purchased three 512 sticks since this board will take 1536MB
total. No go but, a different scenario with more helpful info I hope.

Again, all three sticks work perfectly by themselves. However,
when I add a second stick the correct total shows in the boot
splash screen and in the bios so I know the memory is being
recognized. But, the system returns an error message in the
nature of "Trap error 00000006" with a lot of code following or,
will boot up to the place where the vertical lines flash across
the bottom of the screen at which point the system hangs up. This
happens with any combination of two sticks.

The next is even worse, any combination of three sticks results
in no boot, just a blank screen, sometimes with a 1 delay 2 beep
code. Mostly just a blank screen, no codes. It seems my machine
is acting like WindowsME with it's memory problems but my Bootcfg
and system.ini files are clean. BTW, the AWARD beep code
description did not reference my problem.

The MB specs state that any combination of sticks in any of the
slots should work. I do make sure to start at slot 1 when
checking individual singles and combinations but, nothing seems
to work.

Sorry for the long post, it's just my attempt to provide the most
info I can. I wanted the extra memory since I do quite a bit with
photo programs and am looking for a little faster performance. I
would appreciate any reasonable suggestions related to the
problem. If it cannot be resolved, I need to once again return
the sticks. BTW, the manufacturers support system was unable to
resolve the problem either at the web site or by phone. So, here
I am, looking for help from the gurus.

Many thanks in advance.

sced13ri

I found a variety of test results, with RAM in that board, and
I cannot make sense of them all.

If you want a forum to search, you can try this one.

http://www.a7vtroubleshooting.com/f...ard=a7v;action=display;num=1170622691;start=1

The Asus forum for the board, doesn't have a lot of posts, and
that is because the forum started much later than the release
of that motherboard.

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx...oard_id=1&model=A7V133&page=1&SLanguage=en-us

Like the thread in a7vtroubleshooting suggests, I'd start by
verifying the 512MB stick consists of 16 memory chips, eight
per side. That is most likely to meet the density of memory
that chipset would support. Other configurations might not
be fully addressable (not enough row/column address bits).

Certainly, a single sided memory is easier to drive, than
a double sided memory. If the 256MB memories were single
sided, then driving three of those is easier for the memory
controller, than three double-sided DIMMs.

But in the case of 512MB sticks, you're between a rock and
a hard place. That is because, if you purchased a single sided
512MB DIMM, it would be "high density" and only be half
detected if you were lucky. If you purchased the more usual
double-sided 512MB with 16 chips, it would be addressable,
but also present double the command/address bus loading.
(On higher speed motherboards, typically two of three slots
would work, and maybe putting sticks in slot 1 and slot 3
would work. Or dropping the memory bus speed, would allow
all three to be used.)

So it really depends on what the considered opinion is,
about that VIA chipset. And whether it can drive three
double sided sticks. (Maybe a review article would have
some test results.)

Not all your symptoms are consistent with a loading
problem, so I'd have a look at the construction of the
512MB stick to start. If you have URLs for the memory,
a part number printed on the memory chips, anything like
that, it would help identify what you bought. I'm not
aware of any Ebay scams for that memory type.

Paul

 

[sced13ri]

Crucial (Micron)
Yes, the first time around, and all my bios settings are correct.
They were unable to explain the apparent conflict with the boards
specs. That's why I am looking here for possible answers.

sced13ri

 

[sced13ri]

I found a variety of test results, with RAM in that board, and
I cannot make sense of them all.

If you want a forum to search, you can try this one.

http://www.a7vtroubleshooting.com/f...ard=a7v;action=display;num=1170622691;start=1


The Asus forum for the board, doesn't have a lot of posts, and
that is because the forum started much later than the release
of that motherboard.

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx...oard_id=1&model=A7V133&page=1&SLanguage=en-us


Like the thread in a7vtroubleshooting suggests, I'd start by
verifying the 512MB stick consists of 16 memory chips, eight
per side. That is most likely to meet the density of memory
that chipset would support. Other configurations might not
be fully addressable (not enough row/column address bits).

Certainly, a single sided memory is easier to drive, than
a double sided memory. If the 256MB memories were single
sided, then driving three of those is easier for the memory
controller, than three double-sided DIMMs.

But in the case of 512MB sticks, you're between a rock and
a hard place. That is because, if you purchased a single sided
512MB DIMM, it would be "high density" and only be half
detected if you were lucky. If you purchased the more usual
double-sided 512MB with 16 chips, it would be addressable,
but also present double the command/address bus loading.
(On higher speed motherboards, typically two of three slots
would work, and maybe putting sticks in slot 1 and slot 3
would work. Or dropping the memory bus speed, would allow
all three to be used.)

So it really depends on what the considered opinion is,
about that VIA chipset. And whether it can drive three
double sided sticks. (Maybe a review article would have
some test results.)

Not all your symptoms are consistent with a loading
problem, so I'd have a look at the construction of the
512MB stick to start. If you have URLs for the memory,
a part number printed on the memory chips, anything like
that, it would help identify what you bought. I'm not
aware of any Ebay scams for that memory type.

Paul

Paul:

Thank you for your informative and detailed response. These are
double sided 16 chip sticks from Crucial (Micron) and the part
number is;

CT64M64S4D7E.16LTDY
512MB 168-Pin DIMM 64MX64 SDRAM PC133 CL2
UNBUFF Pb-FREE

My bios are set to SPD which Crucial says is part of the chips. I
did try the manual setting for CL2 but, it made no difference. I
don't mind getting into the bios but, I don't recall a setting
for Bus speed. I installed this MB using the jumper free settings.

I would appreciate any additional thoughts you might have.
Meanwhile, I'll take a look at the links you provided.

Ed

 

[Paul]

Paul:

Thank you for your informative and detailed response. These are double
sided 16 chip sticks from Crucial (Micron) and the part number is;

CT64M64S4D7E.16LTDY
512MB 168-Pin DIMM 64MX64 SDRAM PC133 CL2
UNBUFF Pb-FREE

My bios are set to SPD which Crucial says is part of the chips. I did
try the manual setting for CL2 but, it made no difference. I don't mind
getting into the bios but, I don't recall a setting for Bus speed. I
installed this MB using the jumper free settings.

I would appreciate any additional thoughts you might have. Meanwhile,
I'll take a look at the links you provided.

Ed

The part number ends in ".16", which means there are 16 chips on it,
and since it is Crucial, they would be using a proper config for
the memory.

So I don't think your memory choice is to blame. And the available
documentation claims 512MB should work. Looks good so far.

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=A7V133

If you are running JumperFree, then have a look in the downloadable
manual. In Advanced (Section 4.4 of manual), the CPU and DRAM
frequency appear to be separately settable. You'd want to adjust
things, so that DRAM offers you a lower speed like 100MHz for testing.
Once you've changed the BIOS setting, done a save and exit, you can
shut down and install some of the new memory again. If the problem is
bus loading, dropping the clock should help make it work.

http://dlsvr03.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socka/kt133a/a7v133/a7v133-105.pdf

If the problem was isolated to one socket, you could blame a dirty
socket or a broken signal. But if the thing displays loading issues
(any time more than one stick used, equals no go), and you've dropped
the frequency, then I cannot explain that.

Paul

 

[DL]

The crucial recommended memory for your board is CT64M64S4D75 CL3 & not the
one you gave part number for.
It goes on to say with A7V series boards CAS Latency 2 modules must be
manually set in the bios

 

[sced13ri]

The part number ends in ".16", which means there are 16 chips on it,
and since it is Crucial, they would be using a proper config for
the memory.

So I don't think your memory choice is to blame. And the available
documentation claims 512MB should work. Looks good so far.

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=A7V133

If you are running JumperFree, then have a look in the downloadable
manual. In Advanced (Section 4.4 of manual), the CPU and DRAM
frequency appear to be separately settable. You'd want to adjust
things, so that DRAM offers you a lower speed like 100MHz for testing.
Once you've changed the BIOS setting, done a save and exit, you can
shut down and install some of the new memory again. If the problem is
bus loading, dropping the clock should help make it work.

http://dlsvr03.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socka/kt133a/a7v133/a7v133-105.pdf

If the problem was isolated to one socket, you could blame a dirty
socket or a broken signal. But if the thing displays loading issues
(any time more than one stick used, equals no go), and you've dropped
the frequency, then I cannot explain that.

Paul

Believe it or not, I still have the original manual that came
with the board and after looking at 4.4 I realize that I have
been breezing past those settings as default. Although, I believe
the DRAM figure is at 133. Since I am using the machine right now
to research this problem, I won't be able to try your new
suggestions for a while. But, I will post back as soon as I can.

BTW, the links you provided did point out that my problem is not
unique. Some others have had even more difficult times with
memory upgrades on this board. Thanks for your help.

Ed

 

[sced13ri]

DL:

Appreciate the response. Actually if you run Crucials memory
check on the board the CL-3 stick comes up first probably because
it does not require a bios adjustment. But, the following panel
then lists all the compatible sticks including the ones I
purchased. I selected the CL-2 because I have been running with
three 256MB CL-2 sticks for quite some time with no problems.

If you check the links provided by Paul in his first response as
I did, you may be surprised to find that others are also
experiencing problems increasing memory on this board. So I will
keep an eye on the forums and will try Paul's other tips as well.

Ed

 

[DL]

The CL3 stick is guaranteed to work, CL2 is not
Corsair has in the past supplied me with excellent tech support, there
response to you seems somewhat lame
& yes I ran the memory configerator & thats what it came up with.

 

[Bigdawg]

I have 2 of these boards (the kids) one is ver 1.4 and if I remember right
the others a 1.40a? both are manually set and both are running AMD XP CPU's
one is a laptop 1800 set to run at 2100 (has been doing so for atleast 3
years). both have Mushkin CL2's one is 512's X2 & 256. the other is 256's
X2 & 512. BIOS set to SPD. so all 3 slots are used I always sit the
matches beside each other. this board will run any Palomino CPU. sorry no
real help

 

[sced13ri]

The part number ends in ".16", which means there are 16 chips on it,
and since it is Crucial, they would be using a proper config for
the memory.

So I don't think your memory choice is to blame. And the available
documentation claims 512MB should work. Looks good so far.

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=A7V133

If you are running JumperFree, then have a look in the downloadable
manual. In Advanced (Section 4.4 of manual), the CPU and DRAM
frequency appear to be separately settable. You'd want to adjust
things, so that DRAM offers you a lower speed like 100MHz for testing.
Once you've changed the BIOS setting, done a save and exit, you can
shut down and install some of the new memory again. If the problem is
bus loading, dropping the clock should help make it work.

http://dlsvr03.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socka/kt133a/a7v133/a7v133-105.pdf

If the problem was isolated to one socket, you could blame a dirty
socket or a broken signal. But if the thing displays loading issues
(any time more than one stick used, equals no go), and you've dropped
the frequency, then I cannot explain that.

Paul

Believe it or not, I still have the original manual that came
with the board and after looking at 4.4 I realize that I have
been breezing past those settings as default. Although, I believe
the DRAM figure is at 133. Since I am using the machine right now
to research this problem, I won't be able to try your new
suggestions for a while. But, I will post back as soon as I can.

BTW, the links you provided did point out that my problem is not
unique. Some others have had even more difficult times with
memory upgrades on this board. Thanks for your help.

Ed

Paul:

Sorry to report no success. I did adjust the frequency settings
for CPU and DRAM and the system refused to boot. The specs say an
error in DRAM or CPU frequency would result in a BIOS safe boot
if powered off and back on. Didn't happen. Just would not boot.
In order to regain control I turned off the Jumperless mode and
reset everything to jumpered. The machine than booted to the BIOS
telling me CPU or DRAM frequency caused the previous failure to
boot. I reset all available settings to the specs previously used
and now my system functions properly, although in jumpered mode.
No combination of more than one 512 stick or a 512 with one or
two 256 sticks would work.

Rather than keep messing around, I went to Crucial on-line
support, explained the problem and pointed out the discussions on
their own forums. I asked for an RMA number and Crucial provided
one without any quibbling. I will stick with the three 256 sticks
until such time as I install a new MB, hopefully not needed for a
while.

Thanks again for your help.

Ed

BTW, I would still recommend Crucial for memory upgrades. They
stand behind their products.

 

[Paul]

Paul:

Sorry to report no success. I did adjust the frequency settings for CPU
and DRAM and the system refused to boot. The specs say an error in DRAM
or CPU frequency would result in a BIOS safe boot if powered off and
back on. Didn't happen. Just would not boot. In order to regain control
I turned off the Jumperless mode and reset everything to jumpered. The
machine than booted to the BIOS telling me CPU or DRAM frequency caused
the previous failure to boot. I reset all available settings to the
specs previously used and now my system functions properly, although in
jumpered mode.
No combination of more than one 512 stick or a 512 with one or two 256
sticks would work.

Rather than keep messing around, I went to Crucial on-line support,
explained the problem and pointed out the discussions on their own
forums. I asked for an RMA number and Crucial provided one without any
quibbling. I will stick with the three 256 sticks
until such time as I install a new MB, hopefully not needed for a while.

Thanks again for your help.

Ed

BTW, I would still recommend Crucial for memory upgrades. They stand
behind their products.

It's a puzzle why the board does that. I'm surprised Crucial doesn't have
some record of previous customers reporting something similar.

Paul