EP45-DS3R, Q9300, 8 GB G.Skill RAM - Can't run Memtest86+

[VenuS]

Hey guys, my first post and it seems like i joined a great community!
I've builded my current rig a couple of weeks ago and didn't had any issues with it since then! Lately, i upgraded to 8Gb of ram and had used 4 sticks, 2 Gb each, all identical from G.Skill. And i run Vista.Ultimate.x64 with SP1 integrated on RAID 0 setup.
After moving to 8 GB, i've experienced some random freezes, when idle it would never freeze, but some times even opening browser it could just freeze.
I read here, that i should add more voltage to MCH Core and so i did.
Right now its set to 1.2V and freezes are gone.
Now i moved to tweaking and getting all performance i can from my memory.
I had Memtest86+ v1.7 on bootable cd and downloaded 2.01 version too.
But both wouldn't boot. Its just freeze at "Loading..." sentence and i had to manuly reset.
I tryed everything:
Tryed 2 sticks, 4Gb, nothing
Added MCH Core up to 1.4, same
Added ICH I/O from 1.5 to 1.6V, nothing
Added voltage to memory from 1.8 to 1.9V, still nothing
Loosed timings on both channels, Static Tread from 7 wich was on auto to 12, nothing
Loosed other timing settings, didn't help
Flashed to F10E BIOS, nada
I'm desperate, i just can't boot to Memtest cd, anyone have any idea what's wrong?

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Edit:
Apparently, i could just play with the settings all night long and ended up throwing the rig out the window! LOL, because it seems that it had nothing to do with the BIOS settings.
Somehow, it might be actually a bug in BIOS its self, but Memtest won't run until i disable RAID !!!
With RAID enabled i can boot from all other Cds (Vista,True Image) but not the Memtest, nor 1.7,nor 2.01 and 3.4....
So if you want to test the ram and you have a raid setup, you better disable it.
And just for knowledge, if anyone interested, you won't loose data if you disable raid in bios, just don't break the array.

[Lsdmeasap]

It is a OLD memtest you are using is why it would not work. Memtest86+ is up to 2.01 now, and you do not need to disable RAID at all, And the old one is not compatible with P35 or P45 either. So you will/would need the new version >>>
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

I see you mention testing this, but I am not so sure you did as you mention 3.4 which is a different Companys memtest, and is a windows only version to run within windows.

Memtest86+ runs with or without RAID

But If you are indeed having issues you can easily just setup a BIOS profile with NO disks enabled, that way your RAID cannot be affected no matter what

On the Main Page of the BIOS F11 is save profile, F12 is Load profile


Just Save your normal BIOS as a name you will know, then make some changes such as disable all disks and save that one as Memtest Area

But Again memtest86+ does not require RAID to be disabled. YOu may have better luck making a NO Disk's Profile like I said above if you continue to have issues. Or you could try putting your CD drive on a different controller then your disks. That could be the problem. IDE or SATA cd drive?

You do have 2 onboard disk controllers, if you have both your HD and CD drive on the same this could be why you are having issues

What G.Skills do you have 1.8 and 1.9 is pretty low ram voltages, is this the spec'd amount? If so they may be budget ram and not run very well with 8GB, but Not so sure personally I have not used them.

If you would like some help let me know and I can post you some settings to try

[VenuS]

Hey mate, thank you for your time and reply. Lets cover things one step at a time.

I did get the Memtest86+ v2.01 from this link you gave and with it i'm having issue.
But i think i know why i having this issue. My DVD-RW is SATA. I have nothing on IDE controller and so it is disabled. I have 3 HDDs and 1 DVD-RW they all sit on SATA controller 0,1,2,3.
What i did to make it work is that: Disabled RAID controller, but now it won't see any of my drives including the DVD-RW i want to boot from, then enabled IDE/SATA controller (i had it disabled because i didn't used it), then i back to the standart settings bios page and enabled master channel where DVD-RW is sit. Saved settings and reboted, on boot i saw that my DVD-RW is recognized and i was able to boot to the Memtest86+ cd, 1.7 and 2.01 versions. It seems like its the only option for my setup, is to create profile with raid disabled and DVD-RW enabled?

[Lsdmeasap]

Ahh yeah I forgot the DS3R's do not have the purple ports.

Hmm I am not sure why this is the way you have to do things to run that, it should not be like that I can say that for sure

So I guess, YES

That is what you should do.

Go into the BIOS and set everything the way it is normally, that is how you normally use the system everyday. Then go out to MAIN page of the BIOS and hit F11 to save that profile. Type in a name for it such as Normal, Or daily usage... Something you will knwo is your normal one then hit enter it will be saved.

You can check to be sure by pressing F12 on the Main Page and you should see a list of Profiles to choose. With your newly saved one being the only named one. If it is there then move on to the next step


Now once you have your normal BIOS profile saved you can make your new Memtest one, all you do it go and do all you need to like said above to enable your system to run memtest. Once the BIOS settings are in order for you to be able to use it go out to the MAIN Page of the BIOS and again hit F11. MAKE SURE you use your arrow/tab keys to move down past your "Normal" named one and create a new Name on line 2 called Memtest BIOS. Then hit enter

I would advise in your Memtest Method of making the settings work properly that you go in device boot order and be sure your RAID or Hard drives are not there. And also Disable Second and Third Boot devices and set CD as first. So you ONLY have CD drive actually setup. This way no matter what your BIOS will not try to write anything to your drives and you RAID will always be safe


You should now have normal and Memtest Profiles.

Anytime you want to load either, just enter the BIOS and hit F12 and pick a profile and then save/apply and reboot and it will be in use

[VenuS]

Yeap, as soon as i figured out what was the problem, i've created 2 separate profiles, otherwise it would be a pain, each time to Memtest-Switch profile-Boot into OS.
Anyways, its temporary and i won't need these tests forever, after i'll finish tweaking the memory to my needs.
As for about the memory, i use F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ kits, 5-5-5-15, 2 of them, here is the link G.Skill PC-6400-CL5-DDR2.
Right now i tested with 5-5-5-12 at stock 1.8V, stable. And i'll be glad if you would post some settings for me to try out, i wanna squeeze all of it :).

[Lsdmeasap]

Well I am not sure why you have to do that, but at least you now can do it safely. There must be some quirk with P45 boards and the controller for Disks and CD/DVD drives.

I can post you some settings to try, please fill out the below so I know what you are running your CPU at. 8GB is kinda tough to tweak as not much can be lowered and be stable, but I will see where I can help you gain some Bandwidth >>>

This is Just a template I use to ask people there settings, pay no attention to the numbers in it, replace with yours

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............:
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................:
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0
CPU Frequency ...........................:


Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........:Set to 100


Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< Leave
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< Leave
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< Leave
MCH Clock Skew (ps)...................: <<< Leave


DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: [STANDARD]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P.).....: Disabled
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: [Auto]
System Memory Multiplier ..............:
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............:
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: [Manual]

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................
tRCD .........................................
tRP'...........................................
tRAS..........................................

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................
tWTR..........................................
tWR............................................
tRFC...........................................
tRTP...........................................
Command Rate (CMD) ....................:2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:7-10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Channel B
Static tRead Value.........................:7-10
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:<<< Leave for all below as well
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment .................:Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment..................:Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)....................:Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)...................:Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)..................:Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control...............:Auto ps

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................:
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*.......: <<< Leave
CPU Reference2………,,0.800V*.......:<<< Leave

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: <<
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........; <<< Leave
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: <<< Leave
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: <<< Leave
ICH Core…………...……1.100V............: <<< Leave

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............:
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: <<< Leave

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]

[VenuS]

Sorry for the delay, hadn't free time at all ...
So here is the settings that i'm using right now:

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 7x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0.5
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.5 (333x7.5)
Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: Enabled
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 333 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: 100
Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< Leave
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< Leave
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< Leave
MCH Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< Leave
DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: STANDARD
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 400
System Memory Multiplier ..............: Auto
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 800
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: Manual
Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................: 5
tRCD .........................................: 5
tRP'...........................................: 5
tRAS..........................................: 12
Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................: Auto
tWTR..........................................: Auto
tWR............................................: Auto
tRFC...........................................: 52
tRTP...........................................: Auto
Command Rate (CMD) ...................: 2
Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:Auto
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................: Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..................: Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment...................: Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank).....................: Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)....................: Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)....................: Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)...................: Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control................: Auto
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control................: Auto
DDR write Training..........................: Auto
Channel B
Static tRead Value.......................: Auto
tRD Phase0 Adjustment.................: Auto
tRD Phase1 Adjustment.................: Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment ................: Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment.................: Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)...................: Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank).................: Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)..................: Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank).................: Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control..............: Auto
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control..............: Auto
DDR write Training.........................: Auto
Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.1375 V
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*........: Auto
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*........: Auto
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*........: Auto
MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.200
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........: Auto
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: Auto
DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 1.800
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: Auto
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: Auto
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: Auto

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: Disabled
No-Execute Memory Protect............: Enabled
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: Enabled
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: Enabled
CPU EIST Function.........................: Enabled
Virtualization Technology.................: Disabled

[Lsdmeasap]

K, If I read this right you just needed some settings adjusted to pass memtest right? If so cool, if not post back again and update me

MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
Robust Graphics Booster ...............: Auto
CPU Clock Ratio ..........................: 7x
Fine CPU Clock Ratio.....................:.0.5
CPU Frequency ...........................: 2.5 (333x7.5)

Clock Chip Control
Standard Clock Control
CPU Host Clock Control..................: Enabled
CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) ............: 333 Mhz
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz) .........: 100

Advanced Clock Control [Press Enter]
CPU Clock Drive...........................: <<< 800
PCI Express Clock Drive.................: <<< 900
CPU Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< Leave
MCH Clock Skew (ps)....................: <<< Leave
DRAM Performance Control
Performance Enhance...................: STANDARD
(G)MCH Frequency Latch...............: 400 <<< I would use 333 for 8GB it will be alot more stable

System Memory Multiplier ..............: 2.40
Memory Frequency (Mhz) ..............: 800
DRAM Timing Selectable ................: Manual

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................: 5
tRCD .........................................: 5
tRP'...........................................: 5
tRAS..........................................: 12-15/18

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................: 3-5
tWTR..........................................: 8-12
tWR............................................: (4-6) 8-14
tRFC...........................................: 62-75
tRTP...........................................: (3-6) 6-8
Command Rate (CMD) ...................: 2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:7-12
tRD Phase0 Adjustment...................:Auto
tRD Phase1 Adjustment...................: Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment ..................: Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment...................: Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank).....................: Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank)....................: Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)....................: Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank)...................: Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control................: Auto
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control................: Auto
DDR write Training..........................: Auto

Channel B
Static tRead Value.......................: 7-12
tRD Phase0 Adjustment.................: Auto
tRD Phase1 Adjustment.................: Auto
tRD Phase2 Adjustment ................: Auto
tRD Phase3 Adjustment.................: Auto
Trd2rd(Different Rank)...................: Auto
Twr2wr(Different Rank).................: Auto
Twr2rd(Different Rank)..................: Auto
Trd2wr(Same/Diff Rank).................: Auto
Dimm1 Clock Skew Control..............: Auto
Dimm2 Clock Skew Control..............: Auto
DDR write Training.........................: Auto

Motherboard Voltage Control
Voltage Type.………... Manual
CPU
CPU Vcore….……….........................: 1.1375 V
CPU Termination…..... 1.200V*........: Auto
CPU PLL…………………....1.500V*........: Auto
CPU Referen.…………....0.755V*........: Auto

MCH/ICH
MCH Core…………….....1.100V...........: 1.200 << May need 1.25 -1.35 for 8GB
MCH Reference….…….0.800V...........: Auto
MCH/DRAM Ref.…......0.900V...........: Auto
ICH I/O……………….....1.550V............: Auto

DRAM
DRAM Voltage ……....1.800V............: 1.800 << I would set 1.9
DRAM Termination .…0.900V............: Auto
Channel A Reference 0.900V............: Auto
Channel B Reference 0.900V............: Auto

Advanced Settings
Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: Disabled
No-Execute Memory Protect............: Enabled
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: Enabled
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: Enabled
CPU EIST Function.........................: Enabled
Virtualization Technology.................: Disabled

[VenuS]

Sorry, but the rig is stable with the settings i posted. What we wanted is to try and squeeze the most performance from it, tight some timings. Should you pst different numbers then?

[Lsdmeasap]

Ahh, OK if you want to work in tighter timings then try working down to these >>>>

Standard Timing Control
CAS Latency Time........................: 5
tRCD .........................................: 5
tRP'...........................................: 5
tRAS..........................................: 12

Advanced Timing Control
tRRD...........................................: 3-5
tWTR..........................................: 8-12
tWR............................................: (4-6) 8-14
tRFC...........................................: 48-50
tRTP...........................................: (3-6) 6-8
Command Rate (CMD) ...................: 2

Channel A
Static tRead Value.........................:7-12

Channel B
Static tRead Value.......................: 7-12