Yes-I should clarify that
For testing the memory - use the BIOS defaults. After that -- do as you like.
On Thu, 22 Feb 2001, you wrote:
##I second this. Quick Tech is the program that I recommend. It is
##available from http://www.uxd.com as was mentioned below. It is
##amazing. Well worth the money. Worth its weight in gold actually.
##
##Although I do disagree with always keeping BIOS defaults. Definately
##keep them for ram timings and speeds but other settings need to be
##adjusted to achive stable peak performance from your hardware. As an
##example: An Asus A7V (if you have no usb devices) will boot twice as
##fast with "legacy USB Support" disabled and it is enabled by default.
##
##
##Abe "I test more ram and motherboards in an afternoon then most people
##touch in their entire lives"
##olson ;-)
##
##
##
##Linux Tests wrote:
##>
##> Sorry, I respectfully disagree with some of this. A techs time is too
##> expensive to go through BIOS settings. Always stick with the BIOS
defaults. ##> Period. DO NOT make changes to your BIOS.
##>
##> Plus simplify the testing process.
##>
##> Keep the BIOS at default.
##> Use RST - and OS independent tester - which will test compatibility
issues ##> for the complete system as well as locate any bad memory modules.
##>
##> In less than 3 minutes you will know if the memory is bad.
##>
##> http://www.uxd.com
##>
##> Don't waste your time swapping and pulling etc. Just get the program and
be ##> happy.(No, I'm not affiliated with Ultra-X. I just happen to use the
program) ##>
##> On Wed, 21 Feb 2001, you wrote:
##> ##On Wednesday 21 February 2001 02:24 pm, Heather wrote:
##> ##> On this subject of RAM incompatibility...
##> ##>
##> ##> I have a stick of RAM that someone gave me to boost me up past 64mb.
##> ##> When I first installed it it would do ok, but then it would get where
##> ##> sometimes it would show on boot up and others it wouldn't then (in
##> ##> evil windows since i haven't put it back after installing LM) my
##> ##> computer started popping up more errors and illegals than it ever had
##> ##> before. When I pulled the RAM it went back to normal (for windows).
##> ##> Is there a way for me to find out if the 2 sticks are just
##> ##> incompatible or if the 1 stick is just borked up?
##> ##
##> ## Not really. The only way to actually test ram is on a _very_
##> ##expensive, purpose built machines that very few people would ever have
##> ##access to (lab equipment). What is more important to understand is
##> ##just how much ram can be affected by other parts of the system.
##> ##Particularly the motherboard, cpu, cache, etc. The best ram test apps
##> ##like 'memtest86', actually test the whole system, so the appearance of
##> ##errors are not necessarily due to bad ram. Also important to
##> ##consider, is that ram is very heat and voltage tolerant, especially
##> ##when compared to the other system components. IOW's, it's usually not
##> ##the culprit.
##> ##
##> ## Most often there's no problem mixing ram sizes or "labels" (eg pc66,
##> ##100, 133, etc). I've got two 128mb sticks, one pc100, one pc133
##> ##that'll run 'memtest86', L2 disabled, together for an extended time at
##> ##155 mhz with -0- error at 3.55V. So is my pc100 mislabeled? No, ram
##> ##is what it'll do with -0- errors over time. But I digress ....
##> ##
##> ## First check your bios settings. The settings easiest on the ram are
##> ##the 'slow' settings. (eg, cas3-3-3, precharge disabled, no ECC for
##> ##sdram). Then most ram problems can often be solved by moving the sticks
##> ##to different slots and/or changing the order they're installed in.
##> ##Sometimes just reseating the ram cures the problem. Next most likely
##> ##culprit is the motherboard. A stick of pc66 ram that will run without
##> ##errors at 133mhz (twice it's rated speed) in one motherboard, might not
##> ##work reliably at all in a different (lesser) motherboard even at it's
##> ##default 66mhz. It's just another situation that illustrates how
##> ##important it is to base a system on a good quality motherboard and a
##> ##good power supply. Many of the better motherboards (eg, Asus, Soyo,
##> ##Abit, Epox, MSI, etc) provide more than the standard IO voltage to the
##> ##ram by default (about +10%). This greatly enhances ram stability and
##> ##performance at, or even far above it's manufacturers rating.
##> ##
##> ## So what'a you do? Try reseating (clean the contacts), swappin
##> ##around, tryin in other motherboards (ie, see if it works in a different
##> ##system), give it some more voltage (if you've got a good motherboard).
##> ##'memtest86' is a good check in that you can toggle the L2 cache off/on.
##> ##Many cache error problems often get blamed on the ram. If none of that
##> ##fixes the problems, then give the ram to somebody you don't like ;)
##> ##..... and try again with a better motherboard/power supply and some new
##> ##ram ;>
