Weird Memory Issue

[Guest]

I posted the following question at www.thevistaforums.com because I'm out of
ideas on what could be causing this:

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I am running into the weirdest issues with Windows Vista and am hoping
someone here can assist. Here's the background..

As soon as the RTM of Vista came out I installed it on my brand new box
(home built). I did the x64 version and the specs on the system are an AMD X2
5200+ processor, 4GB dual-channel Geil, WD 150GB Raptor, Gigabyte
Motherboard, dual NVidia 7900GS XFX graphics cards, and a 500GB WD drive.
Everything was working perfect for about a month when the system started
randomly rebooting and then bluescreening and then flat out wouldn't boot.
Assuming it may have been some weird incompatibility with the x64 version, I
installed the x86 version (both are Ultimate). Dead-on perfect for a month
without any issues - then they started up again. First the random reboots,
then some blue screens, then it wouldn't start at all. I left it off for a
few days since I had my laptop and was studying for my CCNA and when I turned
it on a few days later all was well again and it hasn't restarted since (been
about a week now).

I ran extensive memory tests from the Ultimate Boot CD on all RAM together
and then each individual stick and everything passes with flying colors.
Since the system got booted back up the only weird quirk I've noticed is
Vista will, at a maximum, only see 3GB RAM installed at any given time. It
doesn't matter which slots or anything. Right now I've got all 4GB in, and
the BIOS sees all of it but Vista does not.

I'm completely perplexed, but with $2k into this box I'm really hoping to
find an answer and am out of ideas..

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So far everyone in that community has been very helpful, but nothing has
worked as far as suggestions. The full thread is viewable by going here:
http://thevistaforums.com/index.php?showtopic=5774

Any suggestions anyone here has would be extremely helpful!

 

[Theo]

You need to go to the GigaByte web site for their
recommended and/or approved RAM listing for your specific
board. It the particular Geil RAM you have installed is has
not been tested and recommended/approved by GigaByte, then
the memory is most likely the problem. You cannot rely on
the recommendations of the memory manufacturer/vendor when
it comes to compatibility; you have to go with what GigaByte
tells you because they will not support any other
configurations.

 

[Guest]

Based on this link
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/FileList/MemorySupport/motherboard_memory_m59sli-s5.pdf
my specific memory isn't listed, but there is some Geil on there. They say on
their site that they don't test every type of memory, but if it is on this
list it's guarenteed to work. Is it really possible that some Geil would work
(one entry in that file) while another set wouldn't? Why would it work great
with x64 and x86 for almost exactly a month and then start acting weird? I
would've thought that if a memory issue existed I wouldn't have been able to
install or would've had issues right from the start, not that much after the
fact.

It is interesting to note though, my board never shows the RAM as dual
channel for some reason, always single channel. But it does recognize that
it's DDR2 800.

Any other suggestions? I am going to try contacting Gigabyte directly to see
if they have any known issues with my RAM.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Theo]

The Geil in the Qualified Vendors List (QVL) you reference
is apparently not the same as what you have in your system,
it's DDR2 533. And yes, it not only is possible, but it is
a fact that different modules from the same brand name will
not work correctly. One of the reasons is that within a
particular there are usually more than one brand, make and
model of memory chip used. If it ain't on the QVL, then the
memory should be the first thing you change and ensure you
get a brand, make and model that GigaByte recommends.

I had a similar problem with MSI and contacting Tech support
was a complete waste of time; the only responses I received
were about 6 copies of their QVL with the comment that this
was the only memory they supported. I was even told I could
not RMA the boards for memory problems based on memory
incompatibility.

The only way I was able to resolve the problem was to
purchase memory listed on their QVL.

End of Story.

 

[Guest]

That would be really bad if I couldn't use this RAM considering how much of
it I have (spent approx $450 on it..). I guess I'll wait for a response from
them, but I *really* hope that isn't the case..

Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[Theo]

Even Geil does not guarantee compatibility:
http://www.geilusa.com/supportdetail.asp?linenumber=3

# Q: What if my motherboard is not on your compatibility list?
# A: Many mainboards are compatible with GeIL memory even
though it is not listed on our compatibility list.

 

[TheNetAvenger]

1) You have a hardware issue, possibly overheating or a failing component.
This would be especially the case if it is your HD that is starting to have
bad blocks, as the system on a new install would mark out the back blocks,
but as more occurred, critical files would be corrupted and cause failures
like you describe. But also check your fans, etc.

2) As for Vista NOT seeing your RAM, this is not a Vista issue, this is a
BIOS/MB issue. Some mainboards will NOT see all 4GB of RAM, this is do to a
limitation of some chipsets commonly used on many computers. So even though
BIOS will see the 4GB of RAM, only 2.5 or 3GB will be available to the
computer's OS, no matter if it is Vista/XP/Linux/etc...

Good luck on finding your problem.