First post here.

I have just upgraded my system with a new Abit KD7-RAID mo/bo and 2x256MB DDR33 RAM.

The problem I have is that the PC either won't run, or is not stable with both sticks of RAM installed but runs fine with just one stick.

Originally the system was running on an Abit KT7A with 512MB PC133 RAM without a problem but I decided to upgrade the mo/bo ready for when I can afford a faster CPU, this change meant changing the RAM to DDR.

The new board and RAM were installed without reinstalling Win98SE - I have got away with it in the past <g>, not this time.

With the new board and RAM in place 98SE would not start properly giving all sorts of error msgs, mainly 'illegal operations' in explorer, msgsvr32, and others.

Thinking this was casued by the known problem 98 has with 512+RAM I added the Min & MaxfileCache settings in system.ini, limiting Max to 128MB.
This did not improve matters so I ran 'memtest' from DOS with both sticks in and no errors were reported.

I then thought having ACPI on might be the cause so I did a completely fresh install of 98SE, but I could not install 98SE with both sticks in, so installed with just 256MB.
Once again when the second stick was installed I got the errors mentioned above.

During this time I must have installed 98SE at least 4 times :rolleyes:

I have tried setting the DRAM to be detected by 'SPD' (default setting) and set to 133MHz, same as the FSB.
I even set CAS to 3 (memory is CAS2.5), but the system wouldn't even boot then.

I have tried the sticks in different slots but that did not affect a cure.

I am fairly certain the memory is OK because each stick runs without a problem on its own and memtest showed no errors.

I have also tried Win2k on the system; this installed with both sticks but again gave errors when trying to run it, especially when trying to install the Win2k drivers for the graphics card.

I have e-mailed ABit but not yet got a reply. I have also e-mailed support at my retailer who suggest the RAM may not be compatibile with the board; the RAM has no name on it but is advertised as 'major brand'.

If anyone has helpful suggestions I would welcome them.
Also if anyone thinks a single stick of 512MB DDR333 stands a better chance of working than 2x256 sticks.

System specs
AbitKD7-RAID
2x 256 DDR333 RAM
Athlon XP1800 (133FSB)Not overclocked
GF3 Ti200 graphics card (64MB)
RAID not enabled in BIOS as it is not used.
ACPI enabled
On board NIC,USB2 & sound enabled

I should add that I am not a novice at building systems, having built all my own over the past few years.

TIA

Freeair

In 'Advanced Chipset Features' in CMOS setup, change the 'Command Drive Strength' setting to 'Hi'.

Have you tried out placing the sticks in different slots. Like one stick in slot 1 and the other in slot 3?

Thanks for the advice guys, but :(

>In 'Advanced Chipset Features' in CMOS setup, change the 'Command Drive Strength' setting to 'Hi'<

No such option. There is however a 'DQS Drive Strength' which I have tried at 'high' and there are 'MD Drive strength' and 'DIMM1-4 CMD Drive Contorl' which both take a Hex value. The latter two I have tried at '40' & '80' with no change, although I have no idea what sort of value to enter.

>Have you tried out placing the sticks in different slots<

Yep, one of the first things I tried.

I fear RAM tagged as "Major Brand."

Do both of these sticks have the same

chips on them? Same PCB?

Offhand, I would say that the SPD values

are programmed differently in these two

causing them not to co-operate with each

other as a team.

With these KT333/400 chipset Mboards the best thing

to do is visit RAM mfgr's websites and see which

boards they have tested for compatability. Some sites

will give you their best availability if you type in

which board/model you have.


Luck.


RD.

Hi Ranchdog,

Both sticks are identical, same chip model and same marking on the PCB although no serial number on the actual PCB.

As the RAM is 'major brand' I didn't hold out much hope of finding make or a site, however I have found both make and site.

The chip maker is Nanya and they have a web site listing their RAM products and even data sheets for them.

However I admit that most of spec details, apart from CAS, burst speed and voltage, mean nothing to me.

I have had advice from the abit ng from a number of people who have the KD7 running with 2x256RAM and Win98SE and someone running Nanya RAM (2x256) on a non-Abit board.

I have tried the suggestions but still cannot get Win98SE to run correctly so have decided to see if my retailer will take the RAM back and swap it for a 512MB stick or for a different make.

Rgds

Freeair

Win98 has problems with RAM greater than 512MB (and in some cases less), try with one stick, if you can it up and running, then set up a RAM drive about 32MB, then install the second sitck.

>Win98 has problems with RAM greater than 512MB <

I am aware of that mjc. By ram drive I assume you mean setting the file cache size in system.ini, if so already tried that at various settings from 32 up to 128MB.

If I have the above wrong please explain a little more.

Rgds

Actually I mean creating a virtual "drive" that consumes a portion of the RAM. By setting up in DOS, before Windows loads, Windows never sees the full amount of RAM you have installed.

http://members.aol.com/axcel216/newtip12.htm#CACHRAM

I run with the browser cache set to the ramdrive and never have to worry about cleaning up the temp internet files (they disappear on powering down).

Thanks for the link mjc, always good to have additional sources.

However if it is just a question of reducing the amount of RAM Win98 sees the other 'fixes' carry less 'baggage' IMHO

Either add the MaxFileCache entry to system.ini and/or use msconfig to limit the amount of RAM: AFAIK they should get round 512MB limit of Win98.

Anyway this saga is now over.

When my retailer told me there would be a re-stocking fee of between 10% & 25%, I told him where to stick it and went to another, more responsive retailer, and ended up with 512 of PC2100, their advice being that they have had problems with the KD7 and DDR333 RAM.

For anyone in the UK the original retailer was Micro Direct in Manchester, at least you now know what to expect if something you bought from them is not faulty but does not work with your setup :mad:

Needless to say I shall not be dealing with them again.

Many thanks for all help offered, just sorry none of the advice worked for me.

Rgds
Freeair