Ram Question

[acidfire]

Just finished building new computer. Everything went perfect except when I run MemTest86. When I run MemTest86 it starts the test like normal then the screen turns black on the top half of the screen and shows errors at the bottom. Does this mean the ram is bad and I should get new? I'm also using a sata dvd drive, would that cause a problem?
Thanks for the help

[The Wise Monkey]

Does your computer work OK? It could be a problem with the Memtest utility.

[acidfire]

Everything is working and I even ran Prime95 for a couple hours with no problems. I'm a little confused if the ram is defective or a but with the program.

[The Wise Monkey]

Is your OS recognising all of the RAM? Download CPU-Z and check that everything matches up with your expected specs.

[acidfire]

I'm using CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB). Here is what it shows:
http://www.fireson.com/e107_files/images/untitled.jpg
http://www.fireson.com/e107_files/images/untitled2.jpg
Is that right? Thanks for your hlep.

[The Wise Monkey]

It seems as if your sticks are running at two different speeds... :S

Do you have a screenshot with Slot #2?

[acidfire]

I'm at work right now so I will get a screen shot of the second ram tonight when I get home. How can I solve one ram running different than the other? The ram is the same for both sticks as they came as a pack. I know in the bios it's set for auto for all ram settings, do I need to input values instead of using auto? If I do have to change the bios for the ram what number do I enter and where do each number go?
Thanks for all your help The Wise Monkey :)

[The Wise Monkey]

If you go into the BIOS and change the settings to 4-4-4-12 instead of the defaults, then you should be OK.

As for where these settings are depends on the motherboard. Somewhere in the BIOS, it should say about "RAM timings" or something like that, then three other settings with 5 as the default and one with 15. Change the 5s to 4s, and the 15 to 12.

Hope that makes sense... :)

[acidfire]

I know how to get to the ram timings in the motherboard. What I'm not sure about is what numbers go where. The ram I got is:
Ram (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145590)
So I know
Timing 5-5-5-12
I'm not sure where to enter 5-5-5-12 because all the timings are set on auto. In the ram settings I have options like rCL,tRCD,tRP,tRAS,Command Per Clock,tRRD,tRC,tWR,tWTR,tREF,tRD,tRFC, and Async Latency and all of these are set on auto. So which ones do I change to 5's and 12?

Did you want me to get a picture of the second ram stick or try setting the ram timings first?

Hope my questions makes since :)

Also should I set the ram voltage to 1.9v since that is what the ram stats? It looks like auto is using 1.8v according to CPU-Z pictures above.

[The Wise Monkey]

Check this tutorial out for info on RAM timings - should explain which ones you need to change. :)

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/26

What you want to do is change the required settings to what the RAM says you should use i.e. 1.9V, 4-4-4-12 etc.

[acidfire]

Stupid question: Are you telling me to use 1.9V, 4-4-4-12 or is that a example? Because on newegg site it shows 1.9v, 5-5-5-12 for the ram I got. So do I use what you posted or what newegg site says?
I'm reading the website you suggested also.
Thanks for your help

[The Wise Monkey]

Sorry, I meant 5-5-5-12. :)

[acidfire]

Here is what cpu-z shows:
http://www.fireson.com/e107_files/images/cpuz1.jpg
http://www.fireson.com/e107_files/images/cpuz2.jpg
http://www.fireson.com/e107_files/images/cpuz3.jpg
Is that normal? I still can't get the ram test to work. Could I have bad ram?
Thanks for all your help The Wise Monkey :)

[The Wise Monkey]

Ok, the Memory section of CPU-Z shows what your RAM is capapble of running at. The Slot sections show what the RAM is currently running at.

In the BIOS, you want to change the tRAS to 12 instead of auto/18. Everything else looks pretty good.

I was wrong about the memory running at different speeds - misread the CPU-Z screenie. XD

Try making the change I suggested and run Memtest again, although it seems as if your memory is fine.

[acidfire]

Thats weird because I have tRAS set to 12 :confused: If you look at the cpu-z pictures above the first picture shows I have tRAS 12 but when you look at the last two pics showing each stick of ram it shows tRAS at 18. I also set the voltage to 1.9 but it shows 1.8 voltage. Could I have a bad motherboard :confused: Or do I need to update the bios maybe? The part that doesn't make since is I made the same computer for my dad last month with the same parts except the case,power supply, and the dvd drive and I had no problems running the ram test. Learn something new on every build I do :)
Thanks again for all your help and patients :)

[The Wise Monkey]

To be honest, there really is no need to change anything. If your memory is functioning well, then you don't need to do anything - 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' I believe is the phrase. :)

[acidfire]

So in your opinion the ram should be fine? I just want to make sure as this is a computer for my mom and don't want her to run into any problems. If you say the ram is ok then I will leave it alone.
Thanks

[The Wise Monkey]

It sounds as if the RAM is working OK - just keep an eye on it, is all. :)

[acidfire]

I'm going to run Prime95 one more time for a few hours to make sure everything is running good and then I will give the computer to my mom. If she has problems we can always get the ram replaces because the ram is lifetime warranty.
Thanks for you help :)