Memory Upgrade Nightmare

[bomac]

This saga began three weeks ago; at that time my wife had an Axis System, which worked very well.

AMD ATHLON 700MHZ SLOT-A CPU
2- 128MB 16X64 PC100 7/8 NS SDRAM DIMM
FIC SD11 ATHLON ATX AGP MOTHERBOARD

I decided to be the hero and double the amount of memory, so I ordered a 256 chip from crucial. I sent them the following MB specs.


Manufacture FIC
Model SD11
Version 1.x
Memory Controller
Error Detection Method - 64-bit ECC
Error Correction Capability - 1bit
Supported/Current Memory Int. - 1way/1way
Number of slots - 3
Maximum Installable Memory 1536MB
Maximum Module Size 512MB
Supported Memory type DIMM, SDRAM
Supported Memory Voltage 3.3v
Physical/Bios Memory Banks
DIMM 1 (RASL-0RASL-1) 128MB DIMM SDRAM double-bank
DIMM 2 - Empty
DIMM 3 (RASL-0RASL-1) 128MB DIMM SDRAM double-bank
System Chipset
Model AMD-751 CPU to PCI Bridge
Front Side Bus Speed 2x100MHz
Memory Modules
Memory Module 1 - Wintec 128MB 16x(8mx8) Sdram PC 100-322-622 (CL3 upto
100MHz)
Memory Module 3 - Wintec 128MB 16x(8mx8) Sdram PC 100-322-622 (CL3 upto
100MHz)
Memory Bus Speed 100MHz
System Chipset
Model AMD-751 CPU to PCI Bridge
Front Side Bus Speed 2x100MHz
Memory Modules
Memory Module 1 - Wintec 128MB 16x(8mx8) Sdram PC 100-322-622 (CL3 upto
100MHz)
Memory Module 3 - Wintec 128MB 16x(8mx8) Sdram PC 100-322-622 (CL3 upto
100MHz)
Memory Bus Speed 100MHz

They sent me the following part.
Part No: CT32M64S4D8E
Description: 256MB, 168-pin DIMM.

After installing the new memory I noticed that during boot up that the computer had recognized the new memory for it showed that I now had 512 megs of memory.
The problem now is that Windows will not boot. I received the following error messages.

W9X SETUP CAUSED GPF GDI.EXE at 0001:4417, GPT SUWIN.EXE at 0004:7650, and
SUWIN GPF SETUPX.DLL at 10:7EA6.

My system would not boot and since they were windows errors I thought the
problem was the operating system so I formatted my hard drive and re-installed the operating system, it still wouldn't boot. I did some research and tried changing BIOS setting and still could not get the system to boot. I removed the Memory chip and now
have the operating system reinstalled, Windows ME. Now I can't reinstall any
of my peripheral hard ware with out crashing the system. I am pretty much at
a loss.
I contacted Crucial and they gave me the following instructions:

Go to the START/RUN/ type in System.ini; Go to your system.ini and look for
VCACHE, manually type in

[VCACHE] **this should already be in the system.ini file.**
MinFileCache=51200
MaxFileCache=56320

save that and restart the computer, you should have the problem fixed from
here.

I followed the instructions, then re-installed the memory and now my computer will not load windows, the computer dose recognize the memory on boot up.

Tech support then told me to try reinstalling the operating system, I have tried to load both Windows 98 and Me, ( and yes BILL I did buy both of them), they will not load.


In the BIOS I have three load options
1. Load optimal settings
2. Load fail-safe settings
3. Load original values.

I have tried all three.

Another Tech person from Crucial said I had to update my BIOS, I went to FIC’s site and downloaded the newest update for my mother board. The problem is their instructions and what I get with the download doesn’t work. They say I should contact my computers manufacture, but Axis is no longer in business.

Their Instructions;
•Download the correct BIOS file by clicking on the file name of the BIOS file you wish to download.
•Save the BIOS file and the Flash Utility file in the boot disk you have created. Unzip the BIOS file and the flash utility file. •You should have extracted two files:
Flash BIOS utility eg: flash765.exe
BIOS eg: 615J900.bin
What I get:
Some text files, with instructions and two files, Flash818.exe and Nc611.rom
I didn’t get a file .bin, so I loaded the flash818 and the Nc611 files on to a floppy and booted the computer using a Dos 6.22 floppy and then inserted the floppy with the downloaded files and tried to run the flash818 utility. I get and error message saying it can’t find the sector on the A drive.

So, after three weeks of headaches, I have two thousand dollar computer that won’t boot and one pissed off wife.

[DrZaius]

Hi bomac, welcome to the PC Mech forums!

Wow, that is sure one heck of a problem. That error is definately a memory error, I've seen it before with bad sticks from Crucial and other brands. But, I don't see why it would still cause errors even without the new RAM. First, do not flash the BIOS yet, that might cause even more problems, we need to see if the stick is bad or not. Follow these steps:[list=1][*]Remove the Crucial RAM and leave only the old 128MB sticks in slots 1 and 2[*]Use the "Clear CMOS Jumper" to clear the BIOS (check the manual)[*]Restart and install Windows again, test it out for any errors[/list=1]
Post your results here. If it's just the RAM then exchange it for a new one. If the error still appear, a BIOS flash may be needed, but I really don't see how the RAM could corrupt the BIOS.

Hope that helps.

[glc]

I used to do warranty work for Axis - that SD11 board is very troublesome. Pull all the ram out and put each stick in one at a time in slot 1 and test it. Make SURE you use proper precautions against static electricity. If none of them work right, it's new motherboard time. Did you insert or remove any of the dimms while the computer was still plugged in? If so, there is a very good chance you have damaged the motherboard.

SUWIN errors are ALWAYS bad or improperly seated ram.

[BFD Deadeye]

-HEAD EXPLODES-
WOW! What a detailed message!

[bomac]

Thanks for the quick posts; this is my first time using a fourm and I am impressed. I am going to start right now trying some of the sugestions, one thing confuses me is if the memory is bad or socket you put it in is bad why is the memory reconized during boot up?
Regaurdless I will try your sugestions and thanks again.

bomac

[bomac]

To DrZaius

You can probably tell I’m a newby by my questions. I read in my manual about clearing the CMOS, as you suggested, you then have to enter the CMOS on boot up to put your own preferences in. Well I don’t know or have any, right now my BIOS has three settings,

1. Load optimal settings
2. Load fail-safe settings
3. Load original values.

I would guess that one and two are set by the MB manufacture and the original might have been set by the computer company when built,

If I clear the CMOS settings will I loose these options.

[bomac]

I know “BFD Deadeye” I am long winded, but I don’t understand a lot of the info I’m throughing out there and I hope it will help you to help me.

Looking at my MB manual I see that my SDRAM slots are numbered 1,3,and 2.
Therefore my computer came with two 128 dimms is slots 1 and 3.
When I received my new 256 dimm I put it in the empty slot, which is #2, and my trouble began. (I didn’t know the slots where not # in order)
Today, after reading your advice I removed all the dimms (I hope that’s the right word)
And installed the new 256 into slot # 1, booted up and installed ME. It worked , so I went into system.ini as instructed by Crucial Support and added
[VCACHE] **this should already be in the system.ini file.**
MinFileCache=51200
MaxFileCache=56320
Turned off the computer and installed one of my original 128 dimms into slot # 3, booted and everything was ok.
Installed the other 128 into # 2 slot and the computer would not boot.
Moved the 128 that was in slot #2 into # 3 slot and the computer booted
My conclusion is that slot # 2 is bad. My computer will function with 384 in slots #1 and 3.
Question; is it normal for a new computer to arrive with slots 1 and 3 being used or is it possible that slot 2 was bad from the time I purchased the computer?

I can live with 384 megs of memory but I’m not sure that I’m out of the woods yet, because at one time during this ordeal I went back to my original 256 and could boot up but I could not get any of my peripherals to install with out crashing the system. After posting this update I will start on trying that process.
Thanks again for the help
bomac

[Confused]

After you got it working with the 256 in slot 1 you and a 128M in slot 2, You then moved the 128M stick from 2 to 3, but you did not try the other 128 stick in slot 2. You could have a bad stick also. Especially if you moved any without unpluging the power cord.
Chas

[bomac]

I think you miss read my post.
I got it working with sticks in 1 and 3, then added 2 which crashed the system. I removed the good 128 from 3 and put the 128 from 2, into 3 and it worked. So I think the problem is slot 2. It's a little confussing.

[DrZaius]

Hi again bomac,

From the troubleshooting steps you took I think you are correct in that slot 2 does not work properly. When you first opened the system (without moving anything), were the two 128 sticks on slots 1 and 3? If so, maybe Axis was aware of the faulty slot 2 and only installed the RAM in the other slots (usualy, they're suppose to be installed in order.)

Install the 256MB stick in slot 1 and a 128MB stick in slot 3, then clear the CMOS (w/the jumper) and then set it to the "Load fail-safe settings" you mentioned in the BIOS.

Just to note, it is weird, but very possible to have a bad slot. It happens with RAM slots, card slots, and other parts of the motherboard. Just one of those bugs that slip by quality control.

Hope that helps.

[bomac]

Those of us that are new to the hardware aspects of computing are afraid to rummage around inside the computer too much. Those of you that choose to post comments encouraged me to use my own brain.
The system is up and running with 384 Megs of memory, and seems fairly stable. This has been a great experience for me, I hope to spend more time in forums and glean more knowledge from experienced user like you.
THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP.

[Carl Price]

Originally posted by bomac Thanks for the quick posts; this is my first time using a fourm and I am impressed. I am going to start right now trying some of the sugestions, one thing confuses me is if the memory is bad or socket you put it in is bad why is the memory reconized during boot up? Regaurdless I will try your sugestions and thanks again. bomac

In answer to this question, the boot up only counts the memory, it doesn't test it.

[LawyerRon]

Quote:
"one thing confuses me is if the memory is bad or socket you put it in is bad why is the memory reconized during boot up?"

Carl's, right; the initial POST only counts the memory.

When I first started tinkering with computers a few years ago I was under the impression ram either worked or didn't. If it was bad, it wouldn't count down at POST. I was very wrong. Sometimes ram goes "flakey" and will sometimes work and then all of a sudden you get a BSOD (blue screen of death) or it won't boot at all the next time you hit the button. Then it will. Or you'll start to get wierd intermittent errors.

[Christoph]

The secrets of memory - a long saga I would say. I had a bad memory stick not to long. I thought I had bought quality (Infeneon/Siemens) but I guess I was wrong. Now I am desparately trying to find the credit card receipt - it should still be under warranty. Oh, well ...

Anyway - POST was fine with this memory and it randomly crashed my machine. A friend had a Dell with their system test software - checked the ram stick and it brought up an error. Without the stick my machine ran just fine!

Christoph