Need help with random reboots...

[Darkstorm05]

I need some help with my system and a stability issue. I have been working with the mainboard vendor tech support, but we've done all we can. At this point, they suggest I contact RAM vendor, as we have at this point RMA'ed the mainboard and still have the issue. Below is a description of my issue...

The system locks and reboots constantly if I use more than one stick of RAM. I have four identical G.Skill 2GB PC2-6400 RAM sticks. Any single one will work fine for several days in any of the banks as long as only one is present. If I add any other RAM, the system will randomly lock and reboot. This issue is OS independent, as the locks happened under a prior install of FreeBSD, and will often even occur at random points during the boot cycle. I have tried replacing the power supply, the video card, and updating the BIOS and all drivers, but none of this has helped. I've tried every setting I could think of in the BIOS, as well as the defaults, optimals, etc., but nothing makes it work with more than one stick of RAM installed. The board is an MSI P43 Neo3-F, with F2-6400CL5S-2GBNT RAM and an Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 BX80580Q8300 CPU. We set the DRAM settings to 5-5-5-15, as well as trying various other "Failsafe" settings, to no effect. We have also tried running various voltages from 1.8 - 2.04v, but none of this has helped. Can you offer any other suggestions to try and resolve?

[genetix]

make your self an bootable USB stick or other way(burn a cd from ISO) to get to clean DOS. Run MemTest86+ with 1 single stick inside box for both sticks through.

I don't know if you know how to do this, but here's some tools:
HP USB Format tool:
http://www.bay-wolf.com/utility/usbk...memkeyboot.zip
boot files you need:
http://www.bay-wolf.com/utility/usbkey/win98boot.zip
MemTest86+ 2.11 (Pre-Compiled ISO and USB version)
http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

Use basic timing on Memory like 5-5-5-15 - 1066Mhz(Please check voltages at 2.10v for 1066Mhz run) or 4-4-4-12 - 800Mhz either will go, if there is no errors on either memory sticks it's the motherboard which is faulty.


If you need help on creating bootable USB or something let me know.

[Darkstorm05]

I tried running MemTest as suggested, but it causes the system to reboot. Sometimes 10-30 seconds in, sometimes it lasts close to 3 minutes, but never more than that. Same behavior for any of the 4 sticks I place in, regardless of what slot they're in. Also does the same if I have pairs of them in at one time.

[genetix]

That would speak of really much too low RAM voltage or very unstable North bridge.

Something isn't correct on this board I am having hard time believing that this would be caused by the memory in any case. Either board voltages lie what they really are or controller at motherboard would be defective, if you can boot to OS with any setup. Run an Everest ( http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?...ang=en&page=48 ) check what is the voltage you are using in BIOS for Northbridge and vDIMM/vRAM(DRAM Voltage) and then what does the Everest > Computer > 'Sensor'-page say voltages are.

[GSKILL TECH]

When you install the memory, are you using the green slots or orange? Try testing the orange which is the set furthest away from the processor. Let me know the results and I'll be able to further assist you.

Thank you
GSKILL SUPPORT