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Please help! Weird memory problem (movie inside)

M

Mickelonis

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 8, 2005
Messages
203
Ok... I made a video with my camera, my camcorder broke so the quality is not the best, but it works... Please watch this video....

Please watch this video to see my problem

So there you have it....

You can see my computer specs in my signature, as well as clicking to go to their website.

Crucial states my memory should be 8-8-8-24 1.8v and it's rated for 1600

I cannot get my system to work at those speeds. However, if I let my system auto detect my memory, it sees it as 7-7-7-20 1.54v 1066 - works fine here....

My CPU is 1333, my Mobo is 1333, why the heck can't I get my memory (which is rated for 1600) to run at 1333?!?!?!

PS, this is nervracking!

Thanks ahead of time for taking the time to download that video... I don't know how to make it smaller sorry =(

-Syn


Clickable links to my PC:

Intel QX6850 Extreme Baby!
Intel DX38BT Motherboard
Palit 8800GT 1GB Palit FTW!
OCZ GameXStream 700W Power Supply
2GB Crucial Ballistix DDR3 PC1600 Running at 1333Mhz (woot)
 
Dude, thats 192MB and your link isnt very quick.
How about helping us by explaining the problem or encoding the movie with DivX/Xvid etc.
 
I'm working on getting a youtube link now.... I don't know how else to shrink movies... sorry.
 
I watched you video and i saw that the memory voltage is really low, you should up to memory voltage to the recommended 1.8v.
 
hehe, watch the video again, my voltage is set to 1.82 you saw 1.5 when I showed the default values.
 
Mickelonis said:
hehe, watch the video again, my voltate is set to 1.82 you saw 1.5 when I showed the default values.
Click to expand...

lol, i watched it again and it is indeed 1.82, the first time i watched i read 1.02v.

EDIT: nice setup btw, it looks sweet i hope you fix the problem.
 
Straight from your link above in the OP.

# Module Size: 2GB kit (1GBx2)
# Package: Ballistix 240-pin DIMM
# Feature: DDR3 PC3-16000
# Specs: DDR3 PC3-16000 • 9-9-9-28 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-2000 • 1.9V • SLI-Ready • 128Meg x 64

Try 1.9V.
 
jtg1993 said:
Straight from your link above in the OP.

# Module Size: 2GB kit (1GBx2)
# Package: Ballistix 240-pin DIMM
# Feature: DDR3 PC3-16000
# Specs: DDR3 PC3-16000 • 9-9-9-28 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-2000 • 1.9V • SLI-Ready • 128Meg x 64

Try 1.9V.
Click to expand...

That was a mistake on my part, I have corrected that link. The specs you listed are not my memory (my fault), the memory link is now 100% correct. It requires 1.8v..

Should I 'still' try 1.9? *shrug*
 
What is your board revision ?

Per Intel ( http://processormatch.intel.com/CompDB/SearchResult.aspx?Boardname=dx38bt ) it appears a specific board revision (or higher ? ) is requred for that processor. This stands out as the other CPU have "ALL" under the board revision heading.

QX6850 3.00 GHz 8 MB 1333 1308 1 D85848-503

No idea why etc, probally early X38s have some design issue/constraint. While it will apparently run your procesor I am guessing something somewhere, Intel only knows what, does not like it and is causing some configuration issue. I would be on the phone etc. to Intel tech support.

Just a wild ass guess as I can find no other reason it would not work.

I am assuming you have the latest bios. Version 1551 seems interesting for a improvement to DDR3 .

It would be interesting to see exactly what the spd settings are programmed for as I do not think JEDEC has approved 1600 MHz DDR3 (not up on DDR3 so I could be wrong). Intel is very picky about stuff adhering to standards and I wonder if that fancy ram is confusing the board. Just another wild ass guess. Here is the Intel memory compatibilty info for your board. No idea if SPDtool can read your SPD chip or not. CPU-ID should be able to get the basic info out.

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/dx38bt/sb/CS-028330.htm


Didnt watch the video. My bad. Good luck.


edit : LOL you posted some more info while I was investigating, taking a look .
 
Good find.... However, I just whipped out the flashlight and confirmed that is the revision number of my motherboard. There's a white sticker next to my PCIe slot that says so...

I think I'm calling Intel tomorrow...
 
Try resetting everything to default settings.... Believe it or not I was having similar problems and what fixed it for me was the video card :confused:
 
If you're talking about the BIOS settings, I did that because I just upgraded my BIOS tonight to the latest version (hoping that would help). After updating my BIOS, I loaded defaults.

If you're talking about default memory settings, then..... The default settings are 1066 and 7-7-7-20... Totally not what these sticks should be at. =(
 
Some more digging around.
Short version. I think it is a bios issue. A reviewer had the same kinds of issues although it is difficult to draw an exact match to your problem. Let us know what Intel says. From X38 and X48 (use the same bios) reviews at Xbit, there are some real issues with anything but standard settings. Even so with a 1333MHz CPU and the FSB set for that, it seems incredible that the memory would not run at the matching 1333MHz.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mainboards/display/intel-dx38bt_9.html#sect0
(there is a newer review of the x48 version of your board there as well. It seems while Intel finally jumped on the OCing bandwagon, they landed on a nail sticking up. )'

You bastid you got me hooked now. Watching the video.
 
Good article, but I should be able to match my CPU at 1333... =(

I'm calling Intel, I'll post what they say after my conversation...
 
Ok the automatic rebooting is due to the watchdog timer finding a test failure during POST and adusting system settings to something stable.

On your video I believe (code word for "taking a good guess") when you are in the memory override screen and are discussing the difference between the top settings and the bottom, the bottom is what the default memory settings per the SPD chips on ram indicate. and up top is the manual settings. That explains why when you put the memory settings on auto, everything agrees.

I am now targeting the memory sub-timings, the ones below the standard basic timings you entered. Loosening some of those up will most likely end the board "choking" during POST. Trouble is I have been lazy and dont know what the average/good DDR3 timings should be.

At this point I recommend you get with Crucial and determine what the memory needs for sub timings. I was horrified (but not suprised) to find they provide little or no actual specifications other than the basic timings on that expenisve memory. I beleive the board is setting them too tight, during post the board detects a memory issue and goes into a reboot cycle resetting the memory to the slower speed. Remember I am talking about those sub-timings, not the standard ones you set manually - they are fine.

This program is a simple tool that will let you read the entire contents of the SPD chip on the memory module that has all the manufacturers requirements for all of the timings. Despite the warnings it is easy to use and just dont use the edit function, read the spd chip and save the results in a file. Post it. Unfortunately the speed settings are in units of time (typically nS - nanoseconds) but it is easy enough to translate to clock ticks which is what the numbers in the memory setup screen in the bios are. If you post the contents of the entire SPD chips settings I can then compare to the memory sub-timings on the memory setup screen of your video and see if things are correct, or not.

http://www.techpowerup.com/spdtool/

Trouble is you cant save the results as text, you can save it as a .spd file which if I could download it from somewhere whould save you a lot of typing. It may be from the timings summary you can have the program display at the bottom of the screen you might notice somthing "not right" when compared to the bios settings.

So thats my theory, either the Intel bios is not setting things correctly for the memory sub timings or the memory is not programmed correctly or a little of both.

It is interesting on the Crucial "testing page" for Ballistic they test this stuff on a P35 system. It may be they have not updated there page, but as it stands today according to Crucials site, your memory is not tested on an X38 system.

Need the Crucial Rep to jump in here !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Thanks for your help man.... I am at work right now, but I will post a downloadable link tot he .spd file when I get home. Check back here in 7 hours =)

I'm on hold with Intel right now, I stumped their first guy.... I'm talking to the second guy now.

Again, I really appreciate your help...
 
Ok, so I just got off the phone with Intel support....

Case Number: 8351890

I was told that by using Profile 1, I was overclocking the motherboard and that was not supported by Intel. I asked him how it was overclocking the motherboard when those are memory specific settings, and he said Intel only supports 1.5 volts to memory, not 1.8. Intel's recommendation was to use the default 1066 settings at 1.5 or, buy Kingston memory. He said the Kingston memory runs 1333@1.5v

I'm not buying Kingston memory. *shudder*

He also pointed me to this article number:

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/dx38bt/sb/CS-028330.htm

*sigh* another dead end

-Syn
 
Well, I wont be recommending Intel Mobos, thats ridiculous.
 
Mickelonis said:
Ok, so I just got off the phone with Intel support....

Case Number: 8351890

I was told that by using Profile 1, I was overclocking the motherboard and that was not supported by Intel. I asked him how it was overclocking the motherboard when those are memory specific settings, and he said Intel only supports 1.5 volts to memory, not 1.8. Intel's recommendation was to use the default 1066 settings at 1.5 or, buy Kingston memory. He said the Kingston memory runs 1333@1.5v

I'm not buying Kingston memory. *shudder*

He also pointed me to this article number:

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/dx38bt/sb/CS-028330.htm

*sigh* another dead end

-Syn
Click to expand...

Call them back and ask them who makes the memory chips for Crucial ballistic sticks (hint" it is micron.)

WTH is profile 1 ? (oh, most likely the EPP profile in the SPD, LOL see below)

You are not OCing. And if the board only supports 1.5V ram why are there voltage settings in the bios oh and those utilties that came with your board with Intel logo all over them. Then again, you are not a big oem customer and they are probably not inclined to spend the time to figure it out.

Ohhh it just gets better and better, on the page they referred you to (memory for that board) if you follow a link you go .... wait for it .....

http://www.intel.com/consumer/game/extreme-memory.htm

Near the bottom,

8-8-8-24@1.8V 2GB 2DIMM Crucial* Ballistix BL2KIT12864BA1608 Gigabyte - GA-X38T-DQ6 Intel Bonetrail (X38)

You most likely dont want to waste anymore time with the wankers, but I sure would like their answer to this from Intels own product page.
http://www.intel.com/products/motherboard/dx38bt/index.htm

(highlight is mine)

Pulse-pounding gaming and high powered multimedia experiences require the ultimate in performance from your processor and motherboard. Intel® Desktop Board DX38BT is designed to unleash the power of Intel® Core™2 Extreme processors. With support for 1333 MHz front side bus, fast DDR3 memory and overclocking, Intel Desktop Board DX38BT delivers the gaming performance you deserve.
Intel Desktop Board DX38BT supports Dolby* Home Theatre and Microsoft Windows Vista* Premium WHQL certified.
Click to expand...

Wish I was a retired lawyer instead of an engineer. I beleive you could sue them.


Dear Intel:
I love your cpus. I love your chipsets. You keep making noise with press releases and included OC utilities about getting into overclocking. If you marketing dept does not get your technical supports head out of its ass I will not love you any more.
 
Stoopid question #1 the sticks are in the blues slots ?

(for fun try the black ones too. )
 
I'm on the phone with Intel again.... I looked here: http://www.intel.com/consumer/game/extreme-memory.htm

My memory is listed there. There's no reason why this shouldn't work. I just proved Intel wrong on the phone... He insisted the board is only capable of 1.5v, I pointed him to that page where my memory is listed and it states 1.8v....

I'm on hold, we'll see what happens...
 
Yep I saw that too. Ream them a new one and notice the Intel blurb on the boards main page mentions OCing (not that you are.).


Hmmm I forgot about Intels own forums. Might be fun to link this there. Gonna have a look see, I doubt you are the first person in the world to run into this.
 
Well, just got off the phone with them, I guess he changed his mind half way through saying, "Well it should work"....

.... I KNOW IT SHOULD WORK! *sigh*

He did tell me that if I find it's not the memory he will RMA the board, so that's cool. I'm going to try the memory one module at a time tonight (that slipped my mind last night) and if it's not memory they said they'll replace it.

Only thing that sucks is that means I'm out of my gaming rig for 5 days or so... =( But if it fixes it, cool deal.



BTW, yes they are in the blue slots =) hehe
 
Yep yep, after looking at their warrany and the "support" actually I am susprised they talked to you at all, formal support is susposed to be done through the dealer that sold the board (yea, right.).

Last resort before sending back, if you have not already, give it 1.9V and see if it boots. It may be the board is undervolting the memory a bit. Not sure I would run that expensive memory at that long term if it did happen to work but a talk with Crucial could sort that out.


Anyway gald you made some progress. Keep us posted.
 
Ok, so I'm at an Intel Lan party ( lanfest.intel.com )

I talked to an Intel employee, he tests motherboards... HE KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS!!!!! IT'S BEING FIXED IN THE NEXT BIOS RELEASE!!!!!

Dude, you have no idea how friggin happy I am! It has to do with Nvidia violating a spec with their new video cards. There's an address that the Nvidia card steps on (SMBus) and it causes this issue. He told me a workaround in the bios that fixed it.

Either way, two weeks and the new BIOS will be out..

THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU INTEL FOR FIXING NVIDIA'S SCREW UP!!!!

Problem Solved!
 
Well if you want to try something before the new bios, I watched your vid and you set it to 8-8-8-24, but what did you do for the rest of the timings? I see numbers in the rest of the spots, can you try putting the rest of the timings in auto mode?

I put 4-4-4-12 for my Abit IP35 Pro but for the rest I just put it in auto mode.
 
Wow ! just Wow. You would have thought that kind of info would be like gold to the support people. I guess you are the only guy in the world that is OCing an Intel X38 with an Nvidia card.

Well I used to work in a huge company and no one knew what anyone else was doing.

If you get a chance post the workaround and maybe bookmark this thread and let us know if the new bios does solve the issue. Sooner or later this is going to bite someone else.
 
BillParrish said:
Wow ! just Wow. You would have thought that kind of info would be like gold to the support people. I guess you are the only guy in the world that is OCing an Intel X38 with an Nvidia card.

Well I used to work in a huge company and no one knew what anyone else was doing.

If you get a chance post the workaround and maybe bookmark this thread and let us know if the new bios does solve the issue. Sooner or later this is going to bite someone else.
Click to expand...

I'm at the lan party right now, but later tomorrow when I get home from it I will make another YouTube movie and post the work around. The engineer I spoke with said he has the working BIOS but he's not allowed to give it to me.

I'm cool with that =)

The issues is with the Nvidia 9 series cards. I have an 8800GT, but my card is NOT reference design (Palit uses their own design), thus this is why I have the issue.

He also told me that they literally learned of this issue two weeks ago.... (Thus, REALLY RECENT)

I would have NEVER guessed it was my video card that was the culprit, but it is, and he proved it to me.

I gave him a hug =)
 
Daggone - that's one heck of a problem. I've never ever seen a pc turn off and back on after failing a post, etc.

Also, very nice to hear that your problem will be solved. Never would have guessed that it was an nvidia compatibility problem, but it's not surprising lol.
 
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