New MoBo/Ram problem

[grx]

I've just built a PC, a nice system using:

Intel DP35DPM motherboard
Intel E6750 C2D processor
4x 1024MB OCZ platinum-rev2 800 MHz ram

I've been having a great deal of trouble with the ram in this setup--
The first set of four shipped to me were all defective but 1. The replacements all seemed to work but 1, so I do have four working modules. If I put a pair of them in (one in each channel, of course) everything seems to be alright. The ram does get quite warm, but the system functions and is stable. If I put a third or module in, it seems to work alright, but is a little unstable and shuts down occasionally. Plus, the ram modules get *very* hot. Four modules makes the whole system practically unusable.

I am using just the stock fan for the cpu, and it's in a thermaltake Soprano DX case with two large fans. Ambient temperature in the case seems normal. I have noticed that in bios it marks the latencies on the ram as 5-5-5-15. According to the manufacturer, it should be 4-4-4-15. I can see no way of changing that, though.

Is that the problem, or is there something else happening here? What can I do about it? I'd really like to have all 4G of ram if possible.

[grx]

A bit of an update:

I found there was a more current bios, and it actually allowed me to change the timings on the ram. I tried setting it to 4-4-4-15, as is labeled on the modules, and the whole system crashed on me. I can't even get it to boot into bios anymore. So, I've taken out the battery to reset it, and I really hope it comes back to me now.

This has been really frustrating-- I see no reason why this ram shouldn't be working on this configuration. Anybody have an idea what I'm doing wrong?


Edit:

I replaced the battery, and now I can't get anything at all. The power comes up, all the fans turn, and there's nothing. What have I done here?

[Katreat]

first I would pull the ram and try to boot on one stick again. At least that way you should be able to get into the bios.

It is not uncommon for a MB to just not like a certain brand of ram. Dont know if that is your problem but if you have a bunch of unworking sticks I might trade it for a differnt quality brand like corsair.

what operating system are you using? if it is 32 bit it wont reognize more than 3 gigs, but I dont think there is a problem with it being in the machine. But, if you are using 64 bit it is said to be pretty buggy still so that could be leading to some of your problems.

So try to get it to boot on one stick and then if the same thing happens again try a different brand memory.

Kat

[grx]

Ok, I had thought about trying corsair, and there's a good deal on it right now anyway.

I've been playing with just one stick of memory at a time, and I still can't get anything at all. I've also noticed that after resetting the bios, the computer turns on with the power switch in the back of the power supply. It used to require me to push the button in front after the power supply was on. Is it possible I've done something to the motherboard?

[Cricket]

Is the motherboard in or out of the case for troubleshooting? Should be out.

:) Cricket

[grx]

When I originally assembled the pc, yes I did it out of the case. Everything worked fine. I put things into the case one by one, and everything worked fine, so long as I had functional ram. Now it doesn't work. I would be very surprised if taking it back out of the case would change anything at all, but I will certainly try that tonight. If it does, then shame on me for doubting. :D

[not important]

I agree with Katreat. I'm guessing your MOBO doesn't like the brand of RAM that you are using.

[grx]

Ok, I've removed everything from the case. 1 mem card, video card, and cdrom is all that's attached. No post at all-- the behavior is the same. The fans spin up and nothing else happens. It also really bothers me that now the board turns on when I turn on the power supply-- I don't have to short the power button pins to do it. I can turn it off and on again with the pins, but the first time I flip the switch, I don't. Odd.

I've ordered some corsair 6400 ram (4-4-4-12, I think? But Intel says I should only use 5-5-5-x. Can anyone tell me if that's a problem?) and it should hopefully arrive Monday or Tuesday. In the mean time, I'm following some instructions Intel gave me and leaving the CMOS battery out overnight. If these things don't work, I'd guess the motherboard is bad. If that exchange doesn't work, would I look at the video card next, or the cpu?

Also, if I change motherboards, will I need to reapply thermal paste, or is what's already on there sufficient?

[grx]

I've followed some instructions provided to me by tech support at Intel, and left the CMOS battery out overnight. I've switched the jumper on the bios to maintenance mode (pins 2 and 3 on this board), put a cd with the .BIO file in the drive, and turned it on (one stick of ram only). Now nothing happens still, but I do get a loud, long, constant beep from the speaker. It's not a series of beeps, so it's not listed in the BIOS codes at all. I'm starting to believe the MOBO is fried. Does anyone agree with me?