Windows 7: Intermittent ntoskrnl.exe+7c229 BSOD

OK, pretty certain it's an issue with the mobo right enough. BurnTest throws up an instability warning after a few runs on Maximum, advising I "lower my overclock". I'm taking that to mean that the voltage to the RAM needs boosting. They're running at stock settings, however, and are supposed to be able to do so with this mobo. 2 sticks? No problem.

This all looks correct to me, but maybe I'm missing something:





I assume, then, that I have no choice other than

1. Deal with being limited to 4GB RAM, or
2. Get a new mobo?

Time for a specialist. Post over at the mobo manufacturer's forums for any additional advice that they may have.
We'd appreciate it if you'd post back with any results from there so we can advise folks about the resolution.

One other suggestion: would running two 4GB sticks instead of four 2GB sticks be more likely to work? The 4GB sticks aren't listed on the compatibility list for my mobo, but would I be correct in assuming they'll work since the board allegedly supports up to 16GB and the 4GB sticks run at the same timings/voltage as the 2GBs? The product page insists they'll work in "all DDR3 motherboards with two memory channels", which covers mine...

I'd presume that they'd work OK - but I'm not a RAM specialist.
I strongly suggest that you get further advice from someone who knows the in's and out's of this motherboard.

I've tried contacting ASUS support, but they're unresponsive (I understand their customer support is notoriously awful, so I'm not hugely surprised by this). On the other hand, I could just order a 2x4GB set and return it if it doesn't work. It's Amazon, who are excellent on the returns/service front. I'll continue to try to get word from ASUS or a mobo-specific forum to find out if I can do anything to get 4 sticks running, but Googling about suggests that all the boards in the P7H55-M series have issues with 4 sticks (despite what the official specs might claim).

Thanks for all your help and advice; it's been a rather useful learning experience for me, above all else. I appreciate it.

If you can afford to purchase the RAM (and then return it, if necessary) - then I'd think that it would be a valid troubleshooting procedure (and worth a try).

I really have no idea of why this system isn't functioning for you - and don't want to lead you in the wrong direction.
FWIW - I'd suspect issues with the mobo and would replace it if money's not an issue (based on the burn test results).

FYI - I had problems with my Asus P6T Deluxe v1.0 board for a long time (mostly BSOD's when going into sleep).
I finally gave up and bought a new mobo (P6T Deluxe v2.0) and haven't had a problem since!

Yeah, it looks like the board to me. Money definitely is an issue, unfortunately; I do intend to replace the mobo, but I can't really afford to at the moment. I had actually bought one on eBay but the seller then informed me that he'd mucked up the listing and it was a cheap ASrock (not the Asus advertised), so I've cancelled that.

For the time being, I've returned the 2x2GB RAM and ordered a 2x4GB set to see if that works (with the refund from the 2x2GB I'm only spending another £13). If it doesn't, I'll return that as well and just wait 'til I can afford a mobo upgrade...

Just to let you know: the two 4GB sticks are stable even under max-stress BurnTest. Furthermore, because I was curious, I shoved my original two 2GB sticks in the other slots and tested again. Guess what? Stable again. Presumably v2.12 of the 2GB stick is dodgy in some configurations; the original set I bought over a year ago is v2.2 (no idea why the "new" set is actually outdated, but they're returned anyway).

I think I'm still going to see if I can grab a bargain on a decent board, 'cause it seems a waste to not overclock the i3-540 (seen evidence it can hit 4.5GHz even on the stock cooler - it's at 3.06 currently!). I've got my eye on a Gigabyte P55-UD5 at the moment...

Thanks once again for all your help!

Good luck!
Thanks for keeping us informed!