Hello Everyone,
After googling during this last week I know now that several people are facing similar problems although any help will be very appreciate.
The problem started as soon I built the computer. It was hanging at Init ROM. I've noticed that pressing the Power reset button the system starts correctly however after two days the system began to hang at Det DRAM and only starts after several resets and/or Power On/Off.
Until now the only thing I tried in the BIOS was to switching ram to white slots and changing ram timing and voltage from to 5-5-5-18-2T (Auto) to 5-5-5-15-2T with 2.1v. I also tried to change the battery and to not connect any fans into the MB according to some posts I've read. Didn't work.
After upgraded the BIOS to the latest version 1901 everything on BIOS is as factory Defaults. The only thing I've disabled was the Floppy, the Lan 2 and IEEE 1394 which are things I don't use but even with the factory defaults the problem persists.
When I manage to get into Windows I can let the computer on for days without any issue. It is pretty fast and stable.
Here are some information that I got from Sandra and CPU-Z regarding Memory
Sandra:
Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Corsair CM2X2048-8500C5D 2GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-6400U DDR2-800 (5.0-5-5-18 3-23-6-3)
Memory Module : Corsair CM2X2048-8500C5D 2GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-6400U DDR2-800 (5.0-5-5-18 3-23-6-3)
CPU-Z
This is correct? I mean, take a look at slot 2 and 4. It says my Memory Max Bandwidth is PC6400 (400MHZ).
http://www.uploadgeek.com/
Last Notes:
When I manage to get into Windows I can let the computer on for days without any issue. It is pretty fast and stable.
Thanks in Advance
Johnny
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I already tried to manually change the settings to 5-5-5-15-2T and also tried one stick only.
What keeps me bugging is the fact that this only happens at boot of the computer. As I said when I manage to get into Windows it's amazing how fast and stable this machine is. Tested new games like Tomb Raider Underworld, Prince of Persia, Fallout 3 and Assassins Creed. :-(
>> change the settings to 5-5-5-15-2T
Yes, but I thought you were going in the wrong direction. Dropping from 18 to 15 makes the ram run 'faster' (aka: tighter timings).
The higher the ram speed usually the 'looser' the timings need to be.
The specs I found since then say that these are rated for 1066 @ 5-5-5-18-2T @ 2.1v.
Wait a second, most mobos I have seen need to have the bus speed manually set to for ram 1066MHz and above. For some reason the bios wants to set it at 800MHz
Try manually setting them to 1066MHz 5-5-5-15- 2T @ 2.1v (their specs as far as I can tell).
If they keep dropping down to 800, try 6-6-6-15/18-2T
If they are still flaky on boot, add .05 volts (point zero-five) at a time, up to a MAX of 2.3v. Hopefully you won't need to do this or at least stop by 2.2v
As far I can tell the current DRAM Frequency is 1066. Please take a look at picture in my first post. 1st/bottom/left image.
I tried this before, I mean, manually setting the memory at 1066MHz 5-5-5-15- 2T @ 2.1v. What I haven't tried is 1066MHz 5-5-5-18- 2T @ 2.1v and the others you've suggested.
I will try and let you know by morning, because this issue only happens when I left the computer off for some hours. If I change now and boot it will work for sure.
BTW. As soon I manage to get into Windows which means pass the boot I'm able to restart the computer how many times I need without problems. The problem seems more like a "Cold Boot"or something.
OK, I went and looked at the CPU-Z post closer. It looks good (btw: that E8400 is a sweet cpu)
If the ram changes don't seem to help, I would start thinking about the PSU or mobo being a little off somehow.
Problematic caps, VRMs, cold solders, can all cause 'Cold Boot' issues.
Getting into longer shots, I have seen nics, and hard drives cause cold start issues, though with hard drives (includes cd/dvds) it is usually because of a heavy load on the 12v rail at boot.
Ram changes didn't help at all. I've manually change it to 1066MHz 5-5-5-15- 2T @ 2.1v and the system not even boot it. I had to clear the CMOS to get into the BIOS. One thing I've noticed was that when change the DRAM Voltage to 2.1 (In this BIOS I had to manually type the voltage) it shows 2.1045 or something like that and it's yellow like a warning instead of 2.1. What I did now was manually set the Frequency to 1066 and the Timings to 5-5-5-15- 2T but let the voltage on auto. I will try to let the computer off for some hours to see what happen.
Question:
My PSU is a Corsair HX-1000 and it's modular.. I'm using the 8-pin EPS+12v that originally comes directly from the PSU (not the modular). I've noticed there is a modular cable with a Tag EATX12V in the modular cables package. Do you think that changing from the the original cable that comes directly from the PSU to the modular one could make any difference?
Thanks
Hmmm.
Take a look at this new set of CPU-Z prints after manually changing the ram to 1066MHz 5-5-5-15- 2T with voltage on auto. It seems that the BIOS is not accepting my changes unless I also manually set the voltage.
http://www.uploadgeek.com/
I've just subscribed to this threads:
http://www.xtremesystems.o
and
http://www.xtremesystems.o
At the first page of the second thread they said that the best BIOS so far is version 1307. Since I'm using version 1901 I will go back to 1307 and see if I have better luck with that. I will let you know.
Please take a look a the post #79 in the second thread also. There is a configuration there that I'm willing to try. Since I'm not an overclocker do you think it's dangerous?
Thanks,
Johnny
>> look a the post #79 in the second thread...
All overclocking is dangerous. That being said, don't expect to change the bios settings and go straight to 4+GHz.
Take it up a couple a hundred MHz at a time until YOUR rig chokes, then back it off to the last working setting.
And keep an eye on the temps!
>> changing from the the original cable that comes directly from the PSU ...
Maybe. Shouldn't hurt to try. Changing the rail loads around might do the trick, but from what I read, the 1000 is suppose to be able to share between the rails if one gets a little overloaded.
>> it shows 2.1045 or something like that and it's yellow like a warning...
That's fine. The DDR2 specs only say 800MHz @ 1.8v, so most 'programs' complain about anything much higher than that, even when the ram is made to run at that speed/voltage. All DDR2 ram higher than 800MHz is basically 'out of spec'.
That why you also have to set the voltage manually in the bios.
I've change the rail from the hardwired to the modular. Also using the BIOS 1307 as recommend in the http://www.xtremesystems.o
Although the INIT ROM Boot hangs are still there. But I think I know the issue. This BIOS detects USB External and Flash drives. There is an option in BIOS under USB Configuration which allows you to see the USB drives you have connected. I have a Flash Drive attached to the computer to use as ReadyBoost and also an external FreeAgent Pro (Just bought the eSata cable but didn't arrived yet).
The BIOS always recognize the Flash but never sees the FreeAgent and it seems that it hangs trying to detect the drive. By morning I will try to boot without it to see what happens. Also as soon I manage to get into Windows I always need to unplug and plug back the FreeAgent so Windows recognized it.
If it is the FreeAgent causing the INIT ROM hang issue and the Det DRam it's really fixed I will close this question and give you the points :-) You really made me think a little more and I think 2 heads always think better than one :-)
Well, cross fingers please and I'd let you know tomorrow.
Cheers and Thanks
Isn't fixed :-(. I've just woke up and tried to boot. Guess what? DET DRAM. Tri several resets and nothing so I wen for a shower and let the computer on that state DET DRAM. After 15 minutes I went back, restart and it works. So, IT is "COLD BOOT". I'm so disappointed. I was an AMD and ABIT user for more than 10 years. This is my first Intel and first ASUS. I never trust a company that makes a product and releases a new BIOS every month like ASUS.
Anyway. I will try to RMA this MOBO whic will be very difficult. I've bought it at AMAZON when I was in US and now I'm in Brazil and AMAZON says that they can only refund me if I've sent them the MOBO (which is fair) although it will be very expensive to send them from here.
What I don't know is if I will get a Gigabyte now to replace this one and use it with this E8400 or if I will try a PHENOM + ABIT.
Asus usually has very good mobos. I have put together several with the 8400 and 1066Mhz ram. They ran without a hitch.
I don't know if this model has a design flaw, or just got a bad batch of some part, for so many people to have problems.
At the moment I would stay with the 8400, and if you don't want another try at Asus, look at the Gigabyte mobos before the Abit ones.
The Phenoms are nice, but still can't keep up. The Phenom II looks promising, though.
I tried to RMA the MOBO to ASUS in Brazil but there is some Robotic system there which keeps telling me to upgrade the BIOS no matter how many e-mails I sent to them although, I have a friend that wants both. Processor and the MOBO even knowing about this issue. He is pretty sure that It's only a compatibility issue between ASUS and Corsair.
Just read some reviews and I think I'm going for a Phenom II 940 with Asus M3A79-T Deluxe.
A Technician from Corsair just told me to disable Legacy USB in BIOS due a compatibility problem between Corsair and ASUS. I will try that before buying anything. I also read in several sites about this compatibility issue between those 2 brands. I'm just afraid to buy another set of Ram and do not work and I don't have others just for try.
It works and here what I did:
- Change the my Corsair Ram for the ones I've got borrowed (OCZ Kit DDR2 PC2-6400 / 800MHz / 2GB Module / Vista Upgrade Edition).
- Turn off the computer for a long period (all night) and when I turn it on in the morning it boots at first try without any errors.
- One impact I had after installed the new RAM was that I got some BSOD on Windows related to a Memory Management which I think I had resolved with a BIOS updated.
- What I did now was to install the old Corsair RAM and manually set it on BIOS as 800 MHZ. I will see at night when I came back from work if it works as well.
Last question: In case of the downgrade of my original Corsair RAM in the BIOS from the factory default of 1066MHZ to 800MHZ works should I keep my old Corsair or if should I change it for other RAM which is originally 800MHZ, in terms of performance I mean.
Thanks,
Johnny
Ok. It's definitely fixed and I'm using my Corsair at 800MHZ. Do you think I should buy a DDR2 6400 instead of using my DDR28500 or it will be the same in performance?
I will Accept your 2nd Comment as an answer since you've told me to down my memory to 800MHZ. For some reason I forgot to do that.
Cheers and Thanks.
If it is working, I would keep the Corsairs since you already have them.
Unless you are doing a lot of video stuff, working with large databases, or heavy gaming, you will not really notice the difference between 800MHz and 1066MHz ram speed. And even then it will be more in the benchmark numbers, than in an obviously noticeable increase.
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by: coral47Posted on 2009-01-10 at 14:51:26ID: 23345684
>> This is correct
Not really, they should be running @1066MHz. Try taking the ram settings off Auto and manually set them to the spec'ed timings and voltage.
What happens with just 1 stick installed?