Vista Problem with 8GB

[ShadyAchmed]

I have gigabyte EX38-DS4, X9650 @3.5Ghz, Patriot (PC8500) 1066 DDR2 memory and am running Vista x64 premium.

I have had nothing but stability issues w/ fully populated memory banks @ 8Gb. I was about to go back to XP when I saw a thread discussing the fact that Vistax64 doesn't seem to like 8Gb installed w/ all memory banks populated. Some have re-installed Vista w/ 2Gb active and then populating the remainder. I didn't have any luck there.

I ended up ripping out one stick of DDR2 and living w/ 6Gb. My system is hauntingly stable. I have run the system through a torture test and it performed flawlessly... I have now OC'd and its all good - go figure!?!

If I install the last stick - BSoD and relentless program closures... %^#$!!

If U R having BSoD issues and are running 8Gb, or are fully populating your memory banks, try taking a stick out and seeing if your systems stops crashing.

I'm pissed! I went Vistax64 route to take advantage of the increased addressing capability.

Thank U Bill Gates! Senior Es-wipe!

ShadyAchmed wrote:
> I have gigabyte EX38-DS4, X9650 @3.5Ghz, Patriot (PC8500) 1066 DDR2
> memory and am running Vista x64 premium.
>
> I have had nothing but stability issues w/ fully populated memory banks
> @ 8Gb. I was about to go back to XP when I saw a thread discussing the
> fact that Vistax64 doesn't seem to like 8Gb installed w/ all memory
> banks populated. Some have re-installed Vista w/ 2Gb active and then
> populating the remainder. I didn't have any luck there.
>
> I ended up ripping out one stick of DDR2 and living w/ 6Gb. My system
> is hauntingly stable. I have run the system through a torture test and
> it performed flawlessly... I have now OC'd and its all good - go
> figure!?!
>
> If I install the last stick - BSoD and relentless program closures...
> %^#$!!
>
> If U R having BSoD issues and are running 8Gb, or are fully populating
> your memory banks, try taking a stick out and seeing if your systems
> stops crashing.
>
> I'm pissed! I went Vistax64 route to take advantage of the increased
> addressing capability.
>
> Thank U Bill Gates! Senior Es-wipe!
>
>

Sounds more like a hardware problem to me. Have you checked out your
power supply to see if it will provide the required amperage to the
components? Look at the detailed specs for the various voltages, not
just the wattage rating.

[ShadyAchmed]

I think I had all the power issues resolved awhile ago. My Patriot memory needs 2.3v, so I increased my DDR1.8v by 0.5v. My system BIOS and CPU-z report them at the correct voltages (2.3v).

But when I fully populate my memory slots @ 8Gb I get the BSoD and serious instability.

Its worth mentioning that a lot of the crashed and instability was coupled w/ graphics and Vista's DX10.0 driver notices. (But @ 6Gb, I'm good, no VGA changes)

I thought I may have bad memory but systematically eliminated that as an issue - only to find relief w/ one slot free @ 6Gb.

My BIOS is up to date, I have all the vista updates successfully installed, Current VGA drivers... All my hardware drivers are the most current and seem to function correctly.

This behavior seems quirky, but I'm at a loss as to what else could cause such fickled behavior.

Any other thoughts?

"ShadyAchmed" <ShadyAchmed.39jg8c@no-mx.forums.vistaheads.com> wrote in
message news:ShadyAchmed.39jg8c@no-mx.forums.vistaheads.com...
>
> I think I had all the power issues resolved awhile ago. My Patriot
> memory needs 2.3v, so I increased my DDR1.8v by 0.5v. My system BIOS
> and CPU-z report them at the correct voltages (2.3v).
>
> But when I fully populate my memory slots @ 8Gb I get the BSoD and
> serious instability.
>
> Its worth mentioning that a lot of the crashed and instability was
> coupled w/ graphics and Vista's DX10.0 driver notices. (But @ 6Gb, I'm
> good, no VGA changes)
>
> I thought I may have bad memory but systematically eliminated that as
> an issue - only to find relief w/ one slot free @ 6Gb.
>
> My BIOS is up to date, I have all the vista updates successfully
> installed, Current VGA drivers... All my hardware drivers are the most
> current and seem to function correctly.
>
> This behavior seems quirky, but I'm at a loss as to what else could
> cause such fickled behavior.
>
> Any other thoughts?
>


It's not an inherent problem with Vista. I am running Vista x64 and it's
very stable. It's a problem with how the mother board handles the memory
when all the slots are populated. You would probably have the same problem
if you installed four 1 GB DIMMs. Try running the RAM at a slower speed.
Failing that try some 1.8V RAM.



--
Kerry Brown
MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/

ShadyAchmed wrote:
> I think I had all the power issues resolved awhile ago. My Patriot
> memory needs 2.3v, so I increased my DDR1.8v by 0.5v. My system BIOS
> and CPU-z report them at the correct voltages (2.3v).
>
> But when I fully populate my memory slots @ 8Gb I get the BSoD and
> serious instability.
>
> Its worth mentioning that a lot of the crashed and instability was
> coupled w/ graphics and Vista's DX10.0 driver notices. (But @ 6Gb, I'm
> good, no VGA changes)
>
> I thought I may have bad memory but systematically eliminated that as
> an issue - only to find relief w/ one slot free @ 6Gb.
>
> My BIOS is up to date, I have all the vista updates successfully
> installed, Current VGA drivers... All my hardware drivers are the most
> current and seem to function correctly.
>
> This behavior seems quirky, but I'm at a loss as to what else could
> cause such fickled behavior.
>
> Any other thoughts?
>
>

I was referring to 'amperage' not 'voltage'. If your power supply has
marginal capacity to meet the requirements of your components then
adding that fourth memory bank could cause the kind of instability you
are describing. Proper voltage is important, but if your system is not
getting enough amperage at the required voltages during momentary
periods of maximum demand then you can expect instability problems.

[ShadyAchmed]

I have a Antec 850W. Plenty of power. I think this is related to the DDR2 voltages. I think the MoBo is over taxed w/ 4 slots populated @2.3v. So far - I'm very stable @6Gb 2.3v... disappointed but stable.

My bad for not getting the Kensington 1.8v sticks...

thanks for the suggestions!

"ShadyAchmed" <ShadyAchmed.39j3s6@no-mx.forums.vistaheads.com> wrote in
message news:ShadyAchmed.39j3s6@no-mx.forums.vistaheads.com...
>
> I have gigabyte EX38-DS4, X9650 @3.5Ghz, Patriot (PC8500) 1066 DDR2
> memory and am running Vista x64 premium.
>
> I have had nothing but stability issues w/ fully populated memory banks
> @ 8Gb. I was about to go back to XP when I saw a thread discussing the
> fact that Vistax64 doesn't seem to like 8Gb installed w/ all memory
> banks populated. Some have re-installed Vista w/ 2Gb active and then
> populating the remainder. I didn't have any luck there.
>
> I ended up ripping out one stick of DDR2 and living w/ 6Gb. My system
> is hauntingly stable. I have run the system through a torture test and
> it performed flawlessly... I have now OC'd and its all good - go
> figure!?!
>
> If I install the last stick - BSoD and relentless program closures...
> %^#$!!
>
> If U R having BSoD issues and are running 8Gb, or are fully populating
> your memory banks, try taking a stick out and seeing if your systems
> stops crashing.
>
> I'm pissed! I went Vistax64 route to take advantage of the increased
> addressing capability.
>
> Thank U Bill Gates! Senior Es-wipe!
>
>
> --
> ShadyAchmed
> Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com
>

I have a gigabyte P35-DS4, Q6600 @3.2Ghz, Generic 8gb DDR2 800Mhz @ 1.8V
running Vista Business x64.
I think it will be a hardware issue rather than a vista issue.

This problem may be related to the motherboard and what happens to the buss
timing with all memory slots populated.
Voltage drop on the motherboard may also be an issue.
I'd be looking for motherboard specific information concerning the problem.
It may be that specific BIOS settings can get you out of the woods.

"ShadyAchmed" <ShadyAchmed.39l5cf@no-mx.forums.vistaheads.com> wrote in
message news:ShadyAchmed.39l5cf@no-mx.forums.vistaheads.com...
>
> I have a Antec 850W. Plenty of power. I think this is related to the
> DDR2 voltages. I think the MoBo is over taxed w/ 4 slots populated
> @2.3v. So far - I'm very stable @6Gb 2.3v... disappointed but stable.
>
>
> My bad for not getting the Kensington 1.8v sticks...
>
> thanks for the suggestions!
>
>
> --
> ShadyAchmed
> Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com
>