GA-965P-DS3 locks up

[smegs]

Hi,

I've had a Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 (rev 1.0) with BIOS F13 for a few years, and have had a persistent problem that I would like to solve.

I am using this board with an Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 and Corsair 4x1GB PC6400 DDR2 memory. I have an Antec 550W PSU.

I've persistently had the problem of random hardlocks or random blue screens, with no identifiable systemic cause. Also, I am running the latest drivers for all of my hardware. It happens about once every other day.

I've run extensive memory tests with Memtest86 and with Prime95, not finding any memory errors and only a single computational error in Prime95. The CPU runs at about 40 celsius idle, 52 or so at load.

I'm wondering if it's simply a matter of BIOS settings that need to be tweaked.

No-Execute Memory Protect__ [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)____ [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2)_ [Disabled]
CPU EIST Function__________ [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology__ [Enabled]
Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio (Note)____________ [9]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [266]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [3.00]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Auto] (it selects the right settings)
High Speed DRAM DLL Settings________ [Option 1]
System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.100V] <-- memory uses 1.9V
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [Auto]


I've also tried running everything on Auto/Defaults.

Any suggestions that can help stability would be welcome!

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-965P-DS3 locks up

Please give me a link to your ram or the Model #. When you run Memtest is it Memtest86+ and if so, please be sure to use the latest Version >>>
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

Are you running this Memtest86+ for 5-10 full passes? If not, you should

4GB of ram and the Use of Auto is likely your issue, Auto will not work for 4GB of ram and more MCH Would be needed as well.

Please give me your FULL Settings so I can see what you are using. On the MAIN page of the BIOS press Control + F1 and then the screen will flash, then go into MIT and give me all your settings you see >>>

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

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8] 
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.5]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [450] 
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ ?
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ ?
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______?
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ ?

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ ?
Rank Write to READ Delay________ ?
Write to Precharge Delay_________ ?
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ ?
Read to Precharge Delay__________ ?
Static tRead Value_______________
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto]

CPU/PCIEX Clock Driving Control [800mV]
CPU Clock Skew Control [normal]
GMCH Clock Skew Control [Normal]

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.300V] 
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V] 
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V] 
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V] 
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.25]

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] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[smegs]

Re: GA-965P-DS3 locks up

The memory is Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400 (I'm using two 2GB packs) link.

And yes, I've let it run through all of the tests repeatedly (it has performed many successful runs for over 12 hours each time).

[smegs]

Re: GA-965P-DS3 locks up

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [266]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [3.00]
High Speed DRAM DLL Settings ______[Option 1]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Normal]

CAS Latency Time________________ 5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 18

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 3
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 3
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 6
Refresh to ACT Delay______________42
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 3



System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.1V]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [Normal]
( Normal CPU Vcore_________[1.325000V] )

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................: [Enabled]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Enabled]

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-965P-DS3 locks up

OK, for 4Gb you should make a few changes >>>>

I see you say you have ran memtest, was it memtest86+, and how long ago had you done this? Just wondered if you had recently to be sure if maybe the ram had not went bad on you

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto or fast]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [266]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [3.00]
High Speed DRAM DLL Settings ______[Option 1] << Did you ever try Option 2? Just wondering, usually not needed until High ram speeds, but just wanted to check. I do see a few things you have set wrong that would cause issues with 4x1GB. But just thought I would add my thoughts on this setting as well incase you hadn't tried it.

DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Normal] << Standard

CAS Latency Time________________ 5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 18

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 3
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 3 << May need to be 4
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 6
Refresh to ACT Delay______________42 << Should be 52-62 for 4GB
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 3


If you press Control + F1 on the MAIN page of the BIOS and then go into MIT Do you find Static tRead Value setting here? If so, please set it to 7-8 for now


System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.1V] << have you looked in your PC Health section to be sure this is giving you 1.9V or close, sometimes it can be off more then you expect

PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V] << Needs to be +0.2-0.3 for 4x1GB
CPU Voltage Control_______ [Normal]
( Normal CPU Vcore_________[1.325000V] )

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................: [Enabled]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Enabled]

[smegs]

Re: GA-965P-DS3 locks up

I see you say you have ran memtest, was it memtest86+, and how long ago had you done this? Just wondered if you had recently to be sure if maybe the ram had not went bad on you

It was in the last couple weeks.

High Speed DRAM DLL Settings ______[Option 1] << Did you ever try Option 2? Just wondering, usually not needed until High ram speeds, but just wanted to check. I do see a few things you have set wrong that would cause issues with 4x1GB. But just thought I would add my thoughts on this setting as well incase you hadn't tried it.

I've tried Option 2 off and on without any noticeable difference.

DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Normal] << Standard

CAS Latency Time________________ 5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 18

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ 3
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 3 << May need to be 4
Write to Precharge Delay_________ 6
Refresh to ACT Delay______________42 << Should be 52-62 for 4GB
Read to Precharge Delay__________ 3


If you press Control + F1 on the MAIN page of the BIOS and then go into MIT Do you find Static tRead Value setting here? If so, please set it to 7-8 for now

These suggestions are probably the ones I needed the most.

And no, even after pressing CTRL+F1, Static tRead is not an option.

System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.1V] << have you looked in your PC Health section to be sure this is giving you 1.9V or close, sometimes it can be off more then you expect

PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V] << Needs to be +0.2-0.3 for 4x1GB
CPU Voltage Control_______ [Normal]
( Normal CPU Vcore_________[1.325000V] )

Alright, I'll try all of these and tell you how it turns out.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-965P-DS3 locks up

Ya, I thought you would appreciate some full settings.

Static tRead is not always a option in all boards, and that one likely does not offer it due to the age of the chipset, so no big deal there. I just thought I should ask incase you could set it

So, hows this coming along?