EP43-DS3L stability problems

[B.Hardy]

Hey guys!

I'm new to this board and I hope you can help me with my problem and/or give me some hints on how I could get a stable bios.

My specs are:

EP43-DS3L F3
E7200 (@ 2 x 2,53gHz)
HD4850 - 512mb
4 x 1024 DDR2 (actually 3,25gb)
XP 32 Bit; Service Pack 3
Asus PA-50GE Power Supply (500W)

I've got the following problem:

After I boot my pc, I see a black screen and have to reboot. The pc even crashes at the desktop, can't move the mouse or anything. I just have to reboot. Nearly everything in bios is on auto/standard value. I've got no idea, what should i change/increase/decrease or whatever.

- (I thought about updating/flashing bios to a newer version)

So what do you guys think?

greetings

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP43-DS3L stability problems

YOu need to set a few things for 4x1 or 2x2 ram, Auto will not work usually.

What you should do is remove sticks from slot 2 and 4 and make these changes in the BIOS for now, then shut down and put in the other sticks and if you want I can further help you with your timings. The BOLDED Settings are the critical ones for that amount of ram

This is stock for your CPU, just for now worry about the Bold items so you can get your ram going. And please if you can post a link to your ram so I can clear up a few things mentioned below (CAS and Voltage)

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................: .5
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.53


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Auto]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 266Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


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


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto] Or 266
System Memory Multiplier ..............: Auto or 3.00
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 800Mhz ??? Not sure what ram you have
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control (See below, I dont know what ram you have)
CAS Latency Time........................4/5
tRCD .........................................4/5
tRP'...........................................4/5
tRAS..........................................12/15/18

Since I am not sure what ram you have, I will put both normally used values above. Just use the ones you see on your ram sticker

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................
tWTR..........................................
tWR............................................
tRFC...........................................52-62
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 ControlCPUMCH/ICH
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]

[B.Hardy]

Re: EP43-DS3L stability problems

First of all, thanks for the help.

On the side of the RAM it says:
DDR2 800(5) 1GX16

I think the 800(5) is the thing u needed to know, right?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP43-DS3L stability problems

No I wanted to know the timings and voltages allowed. DO you have a link to the ram please?

[B.Hardy]

Re: EP43-DS3L stability problems

Sorry for answering that late. Wasn't at home the last couple of days.

Finally I found a link:
A-DATA Technology

and another description:

Standard
DDR2 - 800 (PC2 - 6400)

Timings
CAS Latency (CL) 5
RAS-to-CAS-Delay (tRCD) 5
RAS-Precharge-Time (tRP) 5
Row-Active-Time (tRAS) 18

Port
240-pin

Organisation
64Mx8

Voltage
1,8 Volt

Voltage Range
1,8 Volt - 1,9 Volt

[BongWizard]

Re: EP43-DS3L stability problems

then set the DRAM voltage to 1.9V... really critical to getting your 4GB setup stable is the tRFC, Command Rate, MCH Voltage and the DRAM voltage... so it should look something like this

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 9
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................: 0.5
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.53GHz


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 266MHz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: 100MHz <--Always 100!!

C.I.A.2 .................................:[Disabled]


Advanced Clock Control
CPU Clock Drive...........................: 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: 900
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: 0
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: 0-50


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 266MHz
System Memory Multiplier ..............: 3.00
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 800MHz
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time.............................5
tRCD ..............................................5
tRP'.............................................. ...5
tRAS.............................................. ..18

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD........................................... 3-5
tWTR.......................................... 4-7
tWR............................................ 3-7
tRFC........................................... 52-58
tRTP........................................... 3-6
Command Rate (CMD) ....................: 2

Channel A
Static tRead Value............................: 7-10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................: Auto
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
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............: Auto

Channel B
Static tRead Value..........................: 7-10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................: Auto
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
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............: Auto

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: Auto (will be fine if you're running at stock freq... could also use normal)
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: Auto
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: Auto
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: Auto

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.25V
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: Auto

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 1.9V

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]

that should give you nice stable stock settings... you can get good performance by tightening up the timings, but you should start fairly loose to get the rig stable first

EDIT: Oh yeah, the 4GB RAM runs as 3.25GB because you're using a 32bit OS... upgrade to either XP x64 or Vista x64 to get the most out of your memory

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP43-DS3L stability problems

Above suggestion looks good, are you sure that ram is 1.9V? Sorry the link you gave me does not have it, and the page is coded poorly so the javascript does not work to change to the requirement page. If you are sure the page where you bought it says 1.9 then use 1.9-2.0

*EDIT*

Got the Page to work properly, still no voltage stated other then JEDEC Standards. Gotta link to the Place you bought it?

[B.Hardy]

Re: EP43-DS3L stability problems

Sorry, wasn't at home for a few weeks.

I thank you guys so much for the help, but I don't really get the thing about the timings.
Can I use any value between 7 and 10 at the Static tRead Value, for example?

I bought the ram from a german side, that's why I only copied the information.
I'll try to get a link and edit my post.

[VorLonUK]

Re: EP43-DS3L stability problems

Sorry, wasn't at home for a few weeks.

I thank you guys so much for the help, but I don't really get the thing about the timings.
Can I use any value between 7 and 10 at the Static tRead Value, for example?

I bought the ram from a german side, that's why I only copied the information.
I'll try to get a link and edit my post.

You can use any value in the suggested range, but in general the higher the value (when it comes to memory settings) the more relaxed the setting actually is. So start high to be on the side of stability.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP43-DS3L stability problems

Yes, use higher of suggested first. Then lower and test with memtest86+ as you go.

[ihtk]

Re: EP43-DS3L stability problems

Hi Lsdmeasap,

I got interested in this thread because I found this guy is using the same mobo (just got it few days ago). I'm facing an almost similar problem as his. I do realize that sometimes when I try to boot up there will be a brief moment showing BSOD (not sure if it's during or after POST) and then the PC will reboot. Other than that the symptoms are the same as his.

However I'm using Corsair XMS2 (1G - using only one pair - total 2G, 5-5-5-12, 1.90V ver5.2, 800 Mhz)

When i run memtest86+ it shows a lot of red error immediately. I decided that it is my memory that was spoilt. So, I brought the sticks to my office to try on the PC that i use here and run memtest86+ again. The test runs for an hour or more without giving me any error.

I've also unplugged my sticks and power on and the mobo gave me 3 long beeps. I would suppose the mobo is fine?

Can I assume that I may follow the steps above to resolve my problem (of course not blindly as my memory timings are slightly different). Sorry I am not in my office and can't test it out straight away so just feel like posting to confirm.

Btw, I've also read a lot of your other posts (especially the one that got stickied) and I can only say.. RESPECT! Cheers and keep up the good work. You gave overclocker wannabe like me lot of insights of how the RAM works.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP43-DS3L stability problems

Ya, sounds like you just have some incorrect ram settings.

Please post me your full specs and what CPU speed you are running, and a link to your exact ram if you can and I can give you some suggested settings for your setup

For now, the main things you should change/set is this >>>
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]

Channel A & B
Static tRead Value.........................:7-10

DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 2.0-2.1

You are using the latest Memtest86+ right? I ask because on your office PC that motherboard may be ok with a older Memtest86+ version, but P35/45 will not be and will give errors incorrectly

For P45 use 2.01 or 2.10 (Still buggy, 2.11 is coming soon)
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

[ihtk]

Re: EP43-DS3L stability problems

Hey, thanks for the info.. after following your instructions.. my pc managed to power on and i've been playing with it for an hour or so.. haven't try memtest86+ or prime to test out the CPU tho..

I set the DRAM value to 1.9v instead of 2.0v because it's printed on the RAM stick itself.. is it a good idea to set it to higher than printed?

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: EP43-DS3L stability problems

Well you can, but if you are stable with 1.9 then you are fine

If you need more help please do answer my above thoughts and I will help you some more

[DrJ]

Re: EP43-DS3L (bios) stability problems

I've got the following problem:

After I boot my pc, I see a black screen and have to reboot. The pc even crashes at the desktop, can't move the mouse or anything. I just have to reboot. Nearly everything in bios is on auto/standard value. I've got no idea, what should i change/increase/decrease or whatever.



greetings

I've got the same problem with RAM, my specs are:
EP43-DS3L
E7300
Gainward 8800gt/gs 512MB
DDR2 OCZ Fatal1ty 2x2Gb 800MHz (5-4-4-18),2.1v

What should I change in BIOS Lsdmeasap?
thx