Memory works fine separately, but not together

I've been given four 1GB Corsair DDR2 memory modules, and am trying to fit them into my computer but am getting BSOD on Windows XP and errors in Memtest86+.

I've tried to identify if one particular module is faulty by trying them in pairs. They work fine in pairs, but when all four are inserted, Memtest86+ reports errors.

The motherboard is an Asus P5N-E with dual channel support and the modules are all the same model (same speed, capacity and timings) but one pair is a different hardware revision. One is v2.1 and the other is v2.2... the voltages are the same too. Would this minor difference be a possible cause of the problem?

I've got the BIOS memory timing settings all at AUTO - should I manually set the timings?

james246

Posted 2011-07-19T15:09:33.883

Reputation: 123

Answers

If you have tried both pairs, and had not errors, clearly it is due to some slight difference in the hardware. I would use "System Information for Windows" and check out your memory timings, and then compare them with a search on the Internet for the specs for your RAM, both revisions.

Then set your BIOS to match the timings to the slower spec.

http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html (free version at bottom)

KCotreau

Posted 2011-07-19T15:09:33.883

Reputation: 24 985

You will love the tool regardless of whether it solves the problem. :) – KCotreau – 2011-07-19T16:21:26.703

I'm satisfied that the modules are not faulty. They performed fine in the previous owner's computer and they all work individually. I have changed the timing settings from Auto to 4-4-4-12 (these figures are printed on the modules themselves) and no errors yet! touch wood – james246 – 2011-07-19T17:18:26.973

Great, one pair was probably not being set correctly automatically. – KCotreau – 2011-07-19T17:20:10.177

I'm assuming you tested the pairs each in the first two sockets (usually numbered 0 and 1.) Try cleaning the 2 and 3 sockets with an air duster.

Chris Nava

Posted 2011-07-19T15:09:33.883

Reputation: 7 009

I've got two yellow and two black sockets. When I was trying the pairs, I kept them in one colour (tried both yellow and black), but never put one in the yellow and one in the black. Is this the right thing to do? – james246 – 2011-07-19T17:19:57.067

No. You did it correctly. Some motherboards require you to always use the first two slots if you only have two sticks of RAM. So I assumed you could have tested all the RAM in pairs without testing all the slots. If you're satisfied that the slots are good then I would concentrate on the BIOS settings. Also verify that the motherboard supports the configuration you are using. – Chris Nava – 2011-07-19T19:01:23.867