GA790XTA-UD4 Booting problem

[BrianG]

Yes normally Corsair are one of the top tier but anyone can have bad modules. Have you tried running Memtest on them both together?

Yes. I ran MemTest on the pair installed in sockets 1 & 2.
The initial result was a test with lots of errors, but I think I didn't have one bank (socket 2) seated properly. I re-inserted it and the next test was error free. I will give the test another try (on the two banks together) and maybe leave it running longer. I have to go out today, so I'll just leave it running until I get home.

BTW I'm running the memory in the "Unganged" mode, but I presume this is not likely to have any bearing on this problem?

Meanwhile I'm going to contact my supplier and raise an RMA for this.

Thanks very much for all the help.

Brian.

[absic]

Hi Brian,

Unganged is the better way to run your RAM so that shouldn't be the problem.

As I have mentioned before though, the problem could be due to the RAM or the Memory Controller on the CPU did you try running the RAM as I suggested, with the sticks in slots 1 & 3 or 2 & 4 to see if they then worked?

[Ataman]

HI

I've got the same problem but on GA-MA790x-ds4 after instaled xfx hd 6870 previously xfx 4850(no problems)

GA-MA790X-DS4 Motherboard, bios F10A
AMD Phenom X4 9950 Processor
4GB (2 x 2GB) OCZ DDR2 1066 Memory
XFX ATI Radeon 6870 PCIe graphics card
LG B&D drive
2x seagate 500 gb disk raid 0
1x seagate 320 gb disk ahci
Jeantech  700W Storm Modular JN-700-A12C PSUA


Any ideas?

Thanks for the suggestions,
Regards,
Pawel.

[BrianG]

Hi Brian,

Unganged is the better way to run your RAM so that shouldn't be the problem.

As I have mentioned before though, the problem could be due to the RAM or the Memory Controller on the CPU did you try running the RAM as I suggested, with the sticks in slots 1 & 3 or 2 & 4 to see if they then worked?

OK, I had overlooked your suggestion, which I have now carried out with the following results.
RAM in sockets 1 & 3, Four passes of MemTest - No Errors.
RAM in Sockets 2 & 4, Pass 1 produced an error report at 001a556f34 - 4517.3MB  Error bits 00040000
                                 Pass 6 produced an error report at 001e556f34 - 4581.3MB  Error bits 00040000 (Not quite the same location).
So finally I see an error, but would I have seen an error in sockets 1 & 3 if I'd run more than Four passes of MemTest?
Next question, What level of errors is acceptable, if any?
Besides which, None of this really resolves the situation that the system will only boot first time with one specific stick of memory installed (in any socket), and all other combinations of memory mean I have to go through the power on/off/on booting method.
Each pass of Memtest takes over an hour to run and I'm getting pretty frustrated with not being able to use the system, since I have work that I need to do.
I'm sure I have enough grounds to request the memory is replaced by the supplier, so I'm going to contact them regarding an exchange. At least that should absolve the RAM from being responsible.

Regards,
Brian.

[absic]

Hi Brian,

The problem could be with the RAM Modules or the Memory controller on the CPU. One of the reasons I suggested you test using slots 1&3 or 2&4 is in an effort to pinpoint where the problem lies. If you can run in slots 1&3, as you have indicated but not 2&4 then it is more likely to be a problem with the memory controller on the CPU or a fault with the motherboard.

However, just to make things even more complicated, this isn't always true and the only way of knowing for certain where the problem lies is to have the motherboard, CPU and RAM tested together.

Did you buy all the components from the same store? If you did then it might be worth arranging an RMA for all the components and get them to do the testing for you.

If you bought them from different stores then you might find changing the RAM doesn't solve anything as the problem could still be with the CPU or the RAM Sockets on the motherboard.

[Dark Mantis]

So finally I see an error, but would I have seen an error in sockets 1 & 3 if I'd run more than Four passes of MemTest?
Next question, What level of errors is acceptable, if any?

Possibly as you should always run Memtest for at least ten loops and no level of errors is acceptable.

[BrianG]

Problem Solved!

It was the RAM.

I just received a pair of replacement RAM sticks, installed them and it booted first time!

Many thanks to all for the help I've received on this.

Best regards,
Brian.