Random crashing problem..

[Chandler_90]

Recently my PC has decided it wants to shut down randomly.

My specs are -

Asus A7N8X Deluxe Rev 1.04 (BIOS 1007)
XP2100 @stock speeds
1GB DDR 400 (2x 256 Twinmoss and 1x 512 Twinmoss)

This originally started to happen when I bought an extra stick of 512MB DDR400 Twinmoss memory... figuring it was obviously the memory I took it out.. but its still doin it.

Wierd thing is though it'll continuously (sp?) shut down upon start up unless I re-order the memory modules! When i reorder them it'll work for a few days then randomly crash again and I have to re-order the memory modules for it to start again..

I'm thinkin that it could be possibly two things..
Firstly I upgraded the BIOS on my board to 1007 - this seemed to go well and without any problems
Secondly could it be the Windows registry (although I think that might not be the problem due to the machine crashing upon recievin power)

I also ran Memtest on the memory modules for 3 hours each with no errors..

Anyone got any ideas?

[CrapshoT]

what graphics card are you using? what psu are you using?
this is what was happening to me when i installed the 4.1 cats
just went back to 3.10 and everything was fine again

[Chandler_90]

I'm using a Excalibur 9700 non pro.
I've got the 4.1 cats on but it was doin it b4 I put them on..

Not sure bout the PSU but I've been using the same one for 6 months.. it only started once I got the new memory but now even though I've taken it out its doin it..

This is wierd!!!

[Kezzer]

it's TwinMOS not 'twinmoss'

Does it crash on any other tests suchh as torture tests for the CPU or graphics card tests?

[daz_uk]

all I know is that the 512 stick of TwinMOS on TwinMOS (3200) memory is NOT compatible with the Nforce2 chipset unless you run it at 166 type speeds. It may run for a while but lots of instability etc.
At least, thats my experience and the results of researching memory compatability quite a bit when building a recent machine.
Basically, if you got the 512mb TwinMOS on Winbond , you would be ok but the TwinMOS on TwinMOS is not gonna be fully compatible. The 2x 256mb sticks should be ok (whether they are winbond or not) but the 512 sticks are notorioulsy finicky with the Nforce2 chipset.
Personally, instead of the extra expense of ordering RAM i knew would work - I used some Crucial 2x512 3200 Ram which at least wprks in the Nforce2 chipset BUT doesn't allow Dual Channel mode. I ran it in Single channel mode and its all ok for my brother. Then I got the TwinMOS on TwinMOS and put it on my Soltek 75FRN in DUAL channel mode but running at 166 (sync'd with my fsb) and its fine. Of course, I usually run overclocked slightly at 175 and if i DO this then I get stuttering in games (i presume because the RAM is not properly compatible) so if I set to stock speeds then its fine in Dual channel.

Hope that helps at all?!?

Daz

[Chandler_90]

Yeah thats helped.. looks like I might have to try runnin the memory slower..
Its a pity like cos I was gonna whack a 3200+ in this board but I'm not gonna now..

Best wait for the FX 51 to drop I supose..

Thanks for all the help guys.. posted this in the Overclokers forums and I didn't get a single reply..!

[Kezzer]

but the problem is, TwinMOS IS compatible with nforce2 motherboards as i've got the dual channel kit running on my dads NF7-S and i've got 2 modules of the same TwinMOS running on my NF7-S and it runs fine. Also so has a couple of mates, we are still wondering why they advise against it. It's perfectly compatible

[daz_uk]

Kezzer matey!
If you look at my post you'll see i clearly say that TwinMOS on TwinMOS is NOT compatible, whilst TwinMOS on WINBOND IS!

C'mon Kez, just get a bloody grip man! hehe

The stuff that is £50+ at ebuyer is TwinMOS on TwinMOS and is great memory but NOT compatible with Nforce2 at 3200 speeds. If it was the same RAM but in the TwinMOS on WINBOND - then its perfectly fine for an Nforce2 chipset

but the problem is, TwinMOS IS compatible with nforce2 motherboards as i've got the dual channel kit running on my dads NF7-S and i've got 2 modules of the same TwinMOS running on my NF7-S and it runs fine. Also so has a couple of mates, we are still wondering why they advise against it. It's perfectly compatible