Random Reboot with 256MB PC800 RIMM

[Guest_imported]

Hi,

I recently bought a p4-1.7GHz system and it was having a lot of trouble with random reboots. I tried to narrow down what the problem was by only changing one thing at a time (expansion cards, hard drive configuration, etc..) to see if I could find out what the problem was.

Anyway, I was able to narrow down the problem to my new 256MB PC800 RIMM modules, so I decided to test them with Norton Diagnostics in Windows ME and received errors. I thought I had received bad RAM, but I decided to test them under a DOS environment with a util I downloaded called GoldMemory. This found no errors with the RAM at all.

I have also tested this system with the 64MB PC800 RIMM modules that came with my processor and the system works fine with no random reboots. This only occurs when I install the pair of 256MB PC800 RIMMs. It doesn't matter which configuration I use (256MB RIMMs by themselves or with the 64MB RIMMs), I still get random reboots.

The reboots can occur at any time from the time Windows ME is booting to two hours later, and there is no predicting. I'm also positive the 256MB RIMMs are fine because I had them professionally error tested.

My only clue to what's going on here is that these RIMMs don't react too well to the way Windows ME tries to handle them (note: I tried a fresh install of both Windows ME and Windows 98, and they both kept rebooting during the installation, and I could not complete a fresh install).

Is there some fix or something I can use to prevent this, because it seems that this is a software problem (in Windows ME/98).

Thanks for any help you can provide,
SuperSheep

 

[Ma3x323]

Maybe try it on Windows 2000. It has a better memory management than ME/98. Anyways, how much memory do you have installed? Need to know. -Feryl
--> Just a silly software engineer wannabee.

 

[Guest_imported]

I have two 256MB PC800 RIMMs and two 64MB PC800 RIMMs. I've tried them in all configurations (only 64MBs, 64MBs and 256MBs, only 256MBs, you get the idea)... and the only time that I can avoid the memory errors is when I don't have the 256MBs in my system at all.

I thought of Windows 2000, but I'm not sure that it'll be able to run all of the programs that I need to run (graphics apps, cd-burning software, games, etc...)

Thanks for the help,
SuperSheep

 

[basweek]

What is your power supply rated at? RDRAM uses lots of power. Maybe supply can't provide enough power. Just a thought.

How many RIMM Slots do you have? Do you have the memory paired correctly? (RIMMA1,RIMMB1);(RIMMA2,RIMMB2)

Good Luck

 

[Guest_imported]

Power Supply is 400W.. (I thought that was the problem initially when I had a 300W Power Supply, but bought a new one and the problem remains), plus a power supply wouldn't make Norton Diagnostics find errors in the RIMMs, would it?

4 RIMM slots.. sure I'm doing it correctly because I can get it to work fine (without reboots or memory errors) when I use just 64MB RIMMs. But when I use just the 256MB RIMMs, I encounter this problem as well.

Thanks for any help,
SuperSheep

 

[basweek]

Sounds like intermitent memory failure. May be heat related issue specific to the 256MB mods. How hot do they get? Did you build the system yourself? What are the specs and brands?

 

[Ma3x323]

Hey Supersheep,
I suggested Windows 2000 because it has better memory management than Windows ME. Windows ME can only handle upto 320 MB of RAM and too much more can lead to issues. Maybe just try leaving a 256 and a 64 on there.
Here is the link to the thread that had this:
thread602-113079 -Feryl
--> Just a silly software engineer wannabee.
If you feel a post has been helpful to you, click on the link at the bottom of their post to cast a vote for "TipMaster Of The Week". You don't need to be the one who asked the question to vote.

 

[rtshort]

Have you tried just one of the 256 by itself. One of the two may be bad.
Just a thought! Every day above ground is a GOOD DAY!!!

 

[Guest_imported]

I didn't think you can mix and match (or use one by itself) with RDRAM RIMMs and had to use them in pairs.. but I will try.

I tried installing Windows 2000 and it had the same problem, so I don't think it's that.

My best guess is that basweek is right and they're getting too hot. Is there some sort of cooling system I can use with them?

System Specs: ABit TH7-RAID Motherboard, P4 1.7GHz, 400W Power Supply, 64MB GeForce2 MX400 AGP Card, SoundBlaster Live! xGamer, Linksys Ethernet card, Creative PC-DVD decoder card, 80GB Maxtor HD, Toshiba SD-M1202 DVD-ROM drive, TDK VeloCD CDR/W 24x10x40, Floppy Drive, Monitor, Lots of case fans, etc.. and RIMMs (512MB PC800 RIMM [2x256MB] and 128MB PC800 RIMM [2x128MB].