GA-MA69VM-S2 - Dual Channel Memory Problem

[phoenixaero]

Hi thanks for picking up this thread.

I am using the following setup

GA-MA69VM-S2 mobo
AMD 64x2 5000+ CPU
1GB (4GB) Kingston KVR800D2N5/1G memory
Windows XP service pack 3
The latest 'F9' bios


Originally this PC had just 1GB of memory installed by the supplier (a budget computer supplier) I needed to upgrade the PC to keep up with the applications required so sourced 3x1GB chips of the same type of RAM. Bought them without any trouble and installed, however once installed the PC will not post. At first I suspected a duff memory chip so I tried each chip one at a time and to my surprise the PC boots without any trouble using any of the four chips. Then I suspected a duff slot on the mobo, I thought to check those I will try to boot up using a single stick of RAM and change the slot for each restart, again all four slots worked. So I have 4 working memory sticks and 4 working slots but this PC will not POST in dual channel mode.

So I tried to use just 2 sticks in single channel mode and that works using any combination of the sticks or slots. Adding a third stick results in a fail to POST.

It seems that any hint of dual channel and this PC fails to POST. I am currently booted up and in windows but only by installing all four sticks and shorting the 'clear CMOS' jumper but the problem is still there. I am in windows and the PC functions but BIOS POST screen only reports 2gb of RAM, if I right click on 'my computer' and click on 'properties' windows reports 1GB of RAM and if I open CPU-Z it reports 4gb of RAM running in single channel mode.

I am really stumped by this and can only assume its a problem with the mobo, is there a setting in BIOS somewhere that I have to enable to use dual channel mode on the memory?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

[absic]

Hi there,

Although you say you are running the latest BIOS there is a newer version F10E that might be worth trying even though it is described as a BETA version. You can download it from here: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=2500&dl=1#bios I would recommend that you use QFlash for updating the BIOS and also that you disable the "Keep DMI Data" Option prior to updating. If you are not sure of updating the BIOS using QFlash please check here: http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,2441.msg13929.html#msg13929

Having just looked through the User's Manual for your motherboard I can't see any settings that should need to be changed to allow you to run your RAM. Of course, what is actually available in your BIOS may have changed due to the BIOS updates and if you notice anything different from the manual maybe you could post some images for us to look at.

Are you using the on-board graphics or do you have a dedicated Graphic Card?
When you have all 4 sticks of RAM inserted in the board what is showing under the Standard CMOS Features for Base Memory and also Extended Memory?

[Dark Mantis]

You might well need to increase the DRAM voltage if all the banks are filled.

[absic]

Yes but, looking through the user's manual there is no voltage control mentioned on this motherboard, which is why I asked for some BIOS screen shots if the OP noticed anything different.

[Dark Mantis]

Sorry mate, I really don't know what is going on with some BIOSes any more. Some settings just seem to disappear.

[absic]

Problem is, this is an older motherboard and I don't think voltage control was a consideration when they released it.
I know on some AMD boards, later BIOS versions introduced these features but I'm not sure about this particular model.

[phoenixaero]

Thanks for the replies, your help is most appreciated.

I am using a dedicated GPU.

With all 4 sticks of RAM in place my standard CMOS screen shows the following

Base Memory = 640k
Extended Memory = 1791m

DXDIAG also reports 1024mb RAM

I'll try the F10 Bios and report back.

[phoenixaero]

Now using the F10 Bios and still windows only reports 1GB of RAM.

POST screen reports 1834944k of memory

CPU-Z Identifies 4GB of RAM in single channel and each stick can be identified within the 'SPD' tab of CPU-Z

I am increasingly inclined to belive this to be a problem with the mobo itself.

[absic]

Hi there,

On some of these motherboards you needed to set memory mapping to allow for the extra RAM. I really can't remember if this is the case with your motherboard but it may be.

Is it possible for you to go through the BIOS and take some screen shots of each page and post them back so we can look through them, as we may see something that needs to be set for full memory usage?

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

Check in the MSConfig for the maximum memory (MaxMem) setting. If it is set for 1012MB that could be your problem. Make it 4048 instead.

[uc23]

Hello there,

I'm experiencing exactly the same problem. It only works when I use 2/4 slots. I have the latest BIOS, also same brand of rams.
What would you say, I already followed the ways have been told above. What about ''memory mapping''? Sounds a bit risky to me.

Gigabyte GA-MA69VM-S2
AMD Athlon 64 X2
4x2 gb veritech DDRII 800 mhz
Windows Home Premium 64 bit