IP35 PRO XE Won't Boot with 2 Sticks of RAM

[dburns]

Hello my specs are below
CPU:Intel Core Duo
MB:Abit IP35 PRO XE
HDD:2 X 500GB SEAGATE 32MB BUFFER
VGA:nVidia 8600
MEMORY: 2 X 2GB mushkin DIMM = 4GB total
OS:XP Pro

We recently got a replacement MB from abitRMA.

The previous board, identical model number, worked perfectly with 2 sticks of the above RAM.

However, when installing this new board, if both sticks are installed, the system doesn't get past post C1 and the system emits a long, intermittent alarm.

I reseated both sticks into the appropriate slots and no luck.
The system will not make it past POST C1 with both sticks in.

I removed one stick and the system boots fine with 2GB ram.

Do we need to upgrade the bios?
Change any memory settings?

Any help would be appreciated!
-Danny

[davefl]

Hi, have you checked the voltage settings? Maybe they require a little more juice.

[dburns]

I haven't...what voltage setting is safe?

[BUFF]

please supply a link to the exact Mushkin kit that you have.

[BigFatCat]

The RAM I've used have all required 2.0-2.1v to boot with more than one stick. The lowest I've seen was 1.8v, I think.

Had me worried the first time I encountered it, but a voltage bump solved it immediately.

[dburns]

Here are the details on my 4GB memory kit...

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
I can't post the URL because of the forum, but if you search at NewEgg, that's where we got it.

[BigFatCat]

There's a bunch on there, mostly 1.8v apart from part # 996580 which is 2.0-2.1v

The modules are normally labelled with required voltage, aren't they?

[dburns]

Item=N82E16820146693

It says voltage is 1.8V
I guess I can bump it to 2.0, install both modules and see if it boots?

[dburns]

UPDATE!
Defective stick of RAM.
Thanks for the insight guys...

Dawned on me to swap out the 1 stick with the stick causing trouble.
Same POST problem.

Time for another RMA...

[dburns]

We got the new stick of RAM back from Mushkin and still no boot!

I've bumped the voltage up to 2.1 and no boot.

I have reset the CMOS and still, no effect.

Anyone have any ideas?
Would a flash/upgrade of the BIOS help?

[BUFF]

which C2D?

[dburns]

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037

[BUFF]

EO stepping by any chance?
I would have expected it to come back with the latest official BIOS but there is a "betas with additional EO support" thread in this forum.

btw I've just notice that http://www.abit.com.tw/cpu-support-l...p35-pro-xe.htm is wrong as there isn't a 15 BIOS for the Pro XE.

[dburns]

Found out our processor does have EO stepping
http://processorfinder.intel.com/det...px?sSpec=SLB9J

Would that cause this problem?

I'm hesitant to put a beta bios on this board as this system configuration worked fine with the previous board, both sticks and same CPU.

The board posts at C1, then emits a long intermittent alarm, with both sticks in, which leads me to believe that there is something wrong from a memory standpoint. Maybe I'm naive in thinking the onboard posting codes are helpful.

Any other ideas?
Looks like I'm one of the few with this problem?

[BUFF]

describe "long intermittent alarm".
continuing long beeps is a RAM error.

You are sure that you have the correct recommended RAM voltage set?
Try increasing VMCH by a couple of settings.

[dburns]

The DDR voltage was supposed to be 1.8V per the specs I posted above.
I bumped it to 2.0

I also bumped the MCH from an auto config 1.25, incrementally up to 1.52 and still won't boot, stops at C1 and sounds the alarm.

The alarm sounds every 3 seconds and lasts for 5 seconds.
It is the usual "alarm" emitted from the onboard speaker.
Only way to stop it is to power off and remove 2nd stick.

Any other ideas?
I wasn't sure what was the MAX vMCH I could move to...