EP45-DS3L Random Hangs

[jcutting]

Hi,

I recently purchased a Gigabyte EP45-DS3L motherboard. Processor is Intel E8400, RAM is 2x1GB Mushkin DDR2 1200, graphics card is Gigabyte GV-NX84S256HE. BIOS is F8. Operating system is Ubuntu 8.04 "Hardy Heron".
I am about ready to RMA this thing because it is so unstable. Under low loads (web browsing, etc) it will be stable for about half an hour before it simply locks or kernel panics. Under heavy load or memtest86+ it can lock up in just a few minutes. I have seen a few errors under memtest86+ but they are not repeatable.

Before I RMA this board I'll ask here to see if anyone can help. From other posts it looks like others are having similar problems and the fixes usually have something to do with memory timing. I tried following some of the suggestions with no luck. Can anybody offer any more clues?

Thanks,

Jonathan

[mxcrowe]

Re: EP45-DS3L Random Hangs

You are going to have to post your BIOS settings. If you look around on this forum, you'll see a nice template you can fill out and post back. Lots of folks with the same or similar board have posted their settings - that should give you some guidance. You can see mine at http://forums.tweaktown.com/f69/post...45-ds3l-27417/
I have since further tweaked my memory settings (with LSD's help), and it is still stable, with the exception of the inability to return from sleep in Vista. Also, I'm now running F9b BIOS.
I'm actually a bit surprised that you got Ubuntu to install...I was not able to get the install CD to see my SATA controller at all. Probably I could have worked around it, but I ended up going with openSUSE. Knoppix also does not properly recognize my P45 board...can't find sound, network, or the SATA drive.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP45-DS3L Random Hangs

Yes, please post me the settings you are using now and I will see if I can help. Also which Mushkins # do you have? >>>

This is Just a template I use to ask people there settings, pay no attention to the numbers in it, replace with yours

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............:
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................:
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................:


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< Leave
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< Leave
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< Leave
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< Leave


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............:
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............:
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................
tRCD .........................................
tRP'...........................................
tRAS..........................................

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................
tWTR..........................................
tWR............................................
tRFC...........................................
tRTP...........................................
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:7-10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:7-10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................:
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< Leave

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: <<
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............:
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]