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New MB-boot error-first 64KB Ram failed

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by ddukes62

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All, ?Will appreciate any help getting this new (old style-overstocked) MB working. History: 3 yr old EMachines Model T1840 failed (Later I determined the I/O hub shorted-appeared to have overheated). ?Thought I would just replace the PSU, then got an MB, then had to get different memory, then more memory, returned PSU and MB for second new ones, thought they were defective. So have replaced everything but the case L

?Just have monitor (LCD analog monitor Kogi brand Model L5BX), keyboard, & power supply (a second new OEM model that came with the eMachines PC (Bestec model ATX-250-12E)) connected to second new MB(Gateway ?Dasher? Motherboard part# 4000822, Intel Skt. 478 W/ Video + Sound /Lan & USB 2.0 400FSB microATX w/ Intel Pentium 4 1.5GHz CPU & Fan.) with mem installed (Tried one stick of this first: SAMSUNG* SDRAM 512MB (64X4) PC133 16C ? NEW. Then 2 matched sticks of SDRAM 512MB (64X4) PC133 16C ? NEW, unknown brand, has an ?S? company brand symbol on the chips.) (I hope this is the ?64 Mbit technology? which the MB website ( http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/INTEL/2518624/2518624nv.shtml
) says is required.) Problem: Only get 3 beeps (said to mean: First 64 KB memory failure - reseat memory) no matter what, even with a second identical MB. Fan runs, LED on MB lights, but monitor never receives any signal-tried hitting F1 or F2, still no activity. Reset switch appears to work. I noticed that with the ATX12 (4 pin) power connector off, it does all of this except beep, but still no monitor activity-and I know it needs that connected. The old MB from the emachines said 2.5V on the mem slots (PC2100 I think) and this one says 3.3V. I suspect the PSU is the wrong type, but it has a 3.3V output. Was hoping it would work. This is a real money pit now, but also a personal challenge that I want to win. I guess either the PSU or the memory the wrong type. (Supposedly this MB was tested prior to shipping to me) Any ideas beside the logical one of ?give up and cut my losses? ? Thanks very much.

4 replies

by oh smeg

It's strange to have SDR DRAM on a 478 P4 as the 150 MHZ even in matched pairs could never reach the full FSB of the CPU. But I would tend to think that there is a typo here and instead of SDR DRAM it should read DDR DRAM which is a totally different type of RAM.

But if the Specification List is correct you really should contact the Supplier of the M'Board to double check the RAM Type and speed. You can then get some RAM that suits this M'Board. The RAM Power is derived from the 5 V DC Rail which is stepped down by a Zener Diode on the M'Board and it should be the same 5 V DC Rail as the CPU runs on as well but that may vary depending on who made the M'Board so it's not overly important.

This really sounds like a RAM Problem and on the 478 Intel CPU's you need 2 Sticks of RAM installed in the matched RAM Slots to get the CPU to run at full speed.

If this really is an Intel 845 Chip Set M'Board as stated on the page here

http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/INTEL/2518624/2518624mv.shtml

It should take DDR 2 RAM but if you have the wrong type it will not fit in the RAM Socket/s so if you are sure that the RAM is properly fitting in the Sockets then you have the right type but maybe not the right speed. But you need to look closely and make sure that the RAM is actually inserted correctly and is level in the socket and doesn't have one end up so it's not inserted correctly.

If you got the M'Board & Ram from the same place I would contact them and confirm that they supplied the right RAM as this is what your problem is. Though have you tried removing the RAM and turning it 180 degrees and see if it now fits in the socket?

While you have the RAM out of the socket look at both the RAM and the Socket under Magnification and see if there is any damage to the mounting bar in the socket which is placed there to prevent the wrong type of RAM being fitted. If they tested the M'Board prior to dispatch you really need to know what RAM that they tested it with as this is important as your current problem is RAM Related and because of this you will not get any Video Display on a monitor till you get the RAM problem fixed.

Col

by ddukes62

Thanks very much for your reply. You prompted me to dig at these requirements more & I see the MB will support minimum of 64bit 'technology' & max of 256MB using that. More research leads me to believe that about the best I do (w/o spending a fortune)is use 2 sticks of 128MB PC133 SDRAM 168-PIN DIMM 16X64-75. (If I understand correctly first stick was only 4 bit bus width (512MB but 64X4), next sticks were only 16bits wide (512MB but 32X16)Replying: I believe this is an odd ball MB; hence the mismatch fast uP/FSB & slow RAM clock, I was shocked too at the config. I believe it really needs SDR because the slots have the 2 blocking fences (needs 168 pin sticks with 2 slots on edge), The memory is in level, firmly seated, oriented correctly & socket/fingers damage-free. Thanks also for the info & tips on input circuit, matched sticks required and RAM needed for video. Not sure, but somehow it seems related that the error states first 64KB failed. Perhaps it tried to grap an 8 word chunk in the first test & fails, but I know that is off by a factor of 8192. I will try to get the correct RAM now & let you know the outcome. Does this all sound correct more or less? Thanks again!

by oh smeg

But it sure is a Interesting M'Board.

Then again I got one today that is a Socket 370 will only accept Celeron CPU's and has a AT form Factor which I have never seen previously.

Well as they say you live and learn every day.

Col

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