Bad RAM or DIMM??

[macellarius]

My new build is past the PSU issues and is now running windows on the new hard drive. Good.

But I have a RAM issue.

I have 2 new sticks of Crucial 512Meg PC2100 DDR...

If I put one stick each in DIMM slots 1 and 2 my beep tones indicate a bad or damaged RAM issue.

If I put either one of the sticks in Slot 1 my beep tones indicate a bad or damaged RAM issue.

If I put either one of the sticks in Slot 2 my beep tones indicate a bad or dameaged RAM issue.

It's only when I put EITHER of the sticks in Slot 3 (designed to run dual channel DDR in concert with Slot 1 on my MOBO) that my machine boots.

So obviously my RAM is good, but what's could cause this?

Here's the config...

MSI K7N2 Delta-L NVIDIA Nforce2 MOBO
AMD Athlon XP 2400+ CPU
2X512 PC2100 Crucial Tech RAM
160 Gig Samsung 7200 RPM
13 Gig Maxtor
CDRW
DVD Player
ATI Rage Pro Fury
10/100 Nic Card
WIN XP Home

[ski]

So you're saying that if the memory populates both slots 1 and 3, or 2 and 3, then the system does not boot up?

[Beta Geek]

I think Macellarius is saying that it only works when only 1 stick is installed, and only when that stick is in slot 3. Is this correct, Macell or did I misread?

[macellarius]

That is correct Beta Geek!

Spoke with Crucial yesterday and they say it's the board.

I tried upgrading my BIOS to V 5.6, but I can't get that to work. The Award Bios Flash utility asks for a SOURCE and DESTINATION file and I'
m not sure what that's for?? I keep getting a message that says "source file not found" and my BIOS stays at version 5.3

If I could figure out the BIOS flashing it might fix the MEM issue.

[Budfred]

In flashing a BIOS, you need to follow the instructions to the letter. Did you read the instructions and follow them?? I suggest printing them out so that you have them to refer to as needed. They usually include creating a floppy disk that is used to do the actual flash and the Source files are on the floppy....

[macellarius]

Thanks.

I followed the instructions perfectly from the MSI site. I just found some more info on another site that explains what to do when it asks for "File to Program" and "Do you want to save", etc (see below). The instructions at MSI did not cover this.

MSI says to run the flash.exe from the C drive rather than from a floppy, not sure why. So that's whay I'm doing. Running it off my old, smaller FAT32 drive. Maybe I should try running it from a floppy anyway???

***************
The AWDFLASH utility should have already been on your C:\ drive. I believe its in the root, since the F2 + Alt method uses it to flash update with. If not, you should check the CD for the original AWDFLASH and .bin file, they may be on there. Some mobo CD's ship that way. I just dont have one to check for you.
Regardless, copy the new or old files to the root of C:\ . Just dont have multiple copies of AWDFLASH in the root .
Now try the floppy method mentioned in the manual.

1. Boot from the floppy
2. At the "A:\" prompt, type "C:\" , and then press <enter>.
3. At the "C:\" prompt, type "AWDFLASH[space]/qi[space]BIOSFILE" , and then press <enter>.
example : AWDFLASH /qi aw0702.bin
4. Type the name of the new .bin file in the box "File name to program" . Even if its listed type the name.
5. If it asks to save the old, press <y> , save it as "old.bin" .
6. At this point it should check the new file and ask to program the new bios file. Type <y> and press <enter>.
7. During the flash procedure , do not allow the system power to be disrupted !
8. When its finished it should prompt to press <F1> to restart.
***************

I'll try this when I get home tonight...I'm here at work today, ughh!

[cabanlit]

Originally posted by Budfred
In flashing a BIOS, you need to follow the instructions to the letter. Did you read the instructions and follow them?? I suggest printing them out so that you have them to refer to as needed. They usually include creating a floppy disk that is used to do the actual flash and the Source files are on the floppy....

Updating BIOS revision u need to download a new revision from the net (if its is available...) be sure to get the exact specs of ur mobo when you search BIOS update. After u download a new revision of your BIOS,,, thats the time u flash it to your MOBO.

In your problem...the flasher was not able to locate the location of ur update revision...check the path..

ADVICE.... when you perform updating BIOS... use UPS.

[Budfred]

" use UPS" Uninterruptible Power Supply??? United Parcel Service??? ????:confused:

[macellarius]

Got it!

I needed to copy both BIOS files from the floppy to the RAM drive then run both the files:

f:/ awfl814b_w6373nms.220

Anyway...I got it and Windows recognizes 1GIG of RAM now.


Thanks!