New
#51
motherboard revival? suitable for Win 7?
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New #52
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New #53
All motherboard manuals are intentionally vague, I don't think it would be much trouble for them to at least give a little more info on the BIOS settings but, they don't.
You have to get the details from experience or research. Motherboard, RAM and OC'ing sites have good info on various settings adjustments. Just remember, not every post is good information.
As for the (bad) RAM settings, it is a common practice to lower frequencies and/or 'loosen' timings (higher numbers) when dealing with unstable RAM, also bumping the DRAM and NB (memory controller) voltage.
As to why the motherboard was running the RAM on 'auto' at 371MHz, either the manufacturer set it that way or the builder set it, both scenarios tell me the RAM is not 100% and had to be underclocked to run.
Since your RAM was slightly underclocked at 371MHz, recommended (SPD tab) frequency is 400MHz, and we bumped the voltage by a fair amount, which resulted in a shutdown and reboot, is indicating that the RAM is more than likely gone bad.
RAM is more finicky than other computer components, sometimes the RAM is just not stable even when new (or 6 months old), sometimes RAM is optimized for a set of specific motherboards and may or may not run on other motherboards.
AMD CPUs seem to have more issues, a larger percent of computers have Intel CPUs so most RAM manufacturers tend to setup RAM to run on Intel systems. Some of the RAM will run on AMD systems, but I have seen a lot of issues due to RAM that is not optimized to run on AMD boards.
We could play around with frequencies, timings and voltages but, I don't think the RAM is going to be salvageable.
If you want to put Win7 on this machine you will need at least 2GB RAM, I would get a kit of two matched RAM cards. You system will run better with two RAM cards, this will enable dual channel mode which is faster performance wise.
AMD has started selling their own brand of RAM due to this issue, when you look for RAM make sure it is made to run on an AMD system. Also make sure the shop you get it from has a good return policy, this is very important.
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New #54
Thanks Dave that is what I originally asked.
@gemini
If purchasing new RAM take note your board only supports a max of 4GB 2x2GB don't go overboard and purchase 2 4GB sticks.
2GB will be the bare minimum for x64 but it will run ok. I have a second PC running x64 on a AMD4600+ with 2GB. It's not super fast but it runs just don't expect to play the latest games.
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New #55
You're welcome Duzzy.
Good advice on the RAM, need to stay within the motherboard limitations.
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New #56
Dave,
Thanks so much for your help. You have helped me understand a lot about my PC. I have used these sorts of test apps before, but I have been out of practice for so long that I had forgotten such applications exist. I think the statement under your name says it all, "endeaver to persevere".
I am not sure if I should look at getting new RAM for this problem PC, or upgrade the RAM in my other PC which is an Intel 1.8Ghz, slightly slower but it hasn't missed a beat in the 2.5 yrs. As you have pointed out, AMD are more likely to have these issues and this was also known during my study years. I don't know why I agreed to go with this board actually. This is where it gets even more confusing though because my old Intel (which was initially built to custom specs) was changed to AMD at upgrade, and old AMD was changed to Intel at upgrade.
Up until now I have been avoiding all this computer stuff. The two desktops I had rebuilt were basically just toys and I had a computer tech work out the specs, rather than me investigating and researching it, purely out of lazyness on my behalf. My laptop had seen me through the past 5 years. But I am now being asked to maybe think about building one from scratch that would be capable of gaming etc. I've never been much of a gamer, but my husband and children love them. I will have to think about it a little more I think. Maybe investigate threads about building a suitable stable PC/Network Server.
Anyhoo, I guess I can mark this thread as solved now with a conclusion of DEAD RAM...!!!
Its nice to know that new RAM can fix the problem :)
Again, thanks so much for everyone's input for this thread.
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New #57
Great stuff. Yes, Dave is a legend when it comes hardware - thats why I asked him to have a look here.
Adelaide doesn't have much in the way of PC shops (or not that I have seen anyway) - I got my gear at www.allneeds.com.au in the city on King William Road
Regards,
Golden
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New #58
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New #59
You're welcome.
Since your problem PC runs fine with the RAM from your good PC, I would just get new RAM for the good PC and put the working RAM on the other one.
You can start a thread in Hardware & Devices, describe what you want the new build to do and your budget. There will be lots of help, there has been many threads like that and they have gotten good advice.
Good luck with your PC's, old and new.
Let us know how the new RAM is working.
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