OK....
Let me get this right. You have 2 sets of RAM now and yet to RMA the first set?
Basically take the one good RAM module that passes memtest (5 or 6 passes) install it and install Vista and let us know how you get on.
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OK....
Let me get this right. You have 2 sets of RAM now and yet to RMA the first set?
Basically take the one good RAM module that passes memtest (5 or 6 passes) install it and install Vista and let us know how you get on.
This just keeps getting stranger.
I'm now in Vista, put the asus DVD in and it loaded (it wouldn't do that before with the old ram), told it to install all the drivers (chipset inf update program, audio, ethernet, sata and epu-six engine) and it started... though it's been installing the chipset inf updater for 5 minutes now - surely an e8500 + 4gb ram is faster than that?
My plan was to send the first set back in the box this new lot came in - it just appears that the new set has a totally dead stick that's unable to even POST
You can work on the speed later, although if you are mixing "matched pairs" then there could be an issue. I don't know.
Something is amiss if it works, then doesn't, then BSOD, then works.
They're unmatched
I just found something interesting though
I checked the asus site for bios updates...
I'm running 1003, latest is 1406
1103 - enhance the compatibility with certain memory
1201 enhance the memory compatibility
1306 enhance the compatibility with certain memory
I'll update it!
Ok, this is what I've tried after updating the BIOS
the 2 good sticks (one from each set) - vista installed, then on the first reboot, after the vista progress bar I got a blank black screen for 5 minutes - powered off/on, 'windows error recovery' - I started normally, instead of booting normally, it rebooted instead and gave me the same message - tried a few times, i either ended up with a blank black screen or the 'windows error recovery' screen.
Next I tried with 1 good stick that passed memtest - booted up the vista disc, 'windows is copying files' (with the grey progress bar), then that changed to the vista green progress bar, then a blank black screen for 10+ minutes
Something is very wrong I think :(
After doing some more research it turns out they ARE matched pairs, so using 1 good stick from each set was never going to work anyway.
Even so, when I tried just the 1 good stick from a pack, i still got blank black screens for 5+ minutes, windows error recovery or BSODs so something is still wrong :/
So even with 1 good stick, you fail to be able to install vista?
Do you have another HDD? Maybe the SATA cable? Perhaps the Vista install disc is scratched?
If the good stick passes memtest, then 99.9% sure it is not memory related. There is something else causing these problems.
Can you output sound? Could this be some form of problem with the display drivers; ie Vista is working but for some reason has failed to send the correct signal to the GFX card or even an issue with Vista and the monitor? Tried different monitors (VGA or DVI) to see if it is something along those lines?
I do have another HDD and cable I could try. As for the disc, the first time I built the system I did manage to install Vista with no problems at all, it was only when I tried to install my graphics drivers and nothing happened that I started testing the RAM.
As for sound, as I can't install Vista now, I can't test that, I could try an older VGA monitor with a vga->dvi adaptor, but that just sounds way too far-fetched for it to be the issue :/
Thanks for more suggestions though, i'll try the HDD/sata cable
Have a quick read here for any useful information regarding nil display.
What PSU are you running?
Corsair VX550w
Just changed the SATA cable and nothing else and tried to install Vista.
1st time) 'windows is loading files...' - 'vista progress bar...' - REBOOTS
2nd time) 'windows is loading files...' - 'vista progress bar...' - REBOOTS
3rd time) 'windows is loading files...' - 'vista progress bar...' - Vista Setup
of course, this could just be a coincidence with changing the cable.
edit: first installation reboot - blank black screen
will change HDD now
Interesting - after the vista bar I got the blank black screen, when I tried to ctrl+alt+del to restart I couldn't - none of my (USB) keyboard lights are lit.
restarting gives me the 'safe mode/safe+networking....start normally' screen :(
Start Normally just rebooted my system instead, got the same screen again, this time start normally has continued the vista installation.
It's now in some random reboot hell, just keeps rebooting at various stages of trying to load windows.
Oh, and as I type, a BSOD.
If it was the EDID settings as that other thread mentions, I imagine it wouldn't have 'worked' the first time I installed Vista.
edit: just checked my BIOS, Plug And Play o/s is set to NO anyway
Just installed with a VGA monitor (via dvi adaptor), same thing, first install reboot, got the green vista progress bar then it just rebooted and gave me the 'safe mode/safe+network....normally' screen, and now it's gone to a blank black screen.
Going on a slightly different tack, but can you dload (from another comp. obviously) a linux distro and install this? At least this would show if the prob is soft or hardware related.
If it does install and run stably, then it's something in the vista (non)-install.
That sounds like a good idea VinnyT :)