Unable to boot to BIOS GA-P35-DS4 Rev 2.0

[Muffin]

Hello I recently had a RAM module failed so I got it RMA. When I did this I decided to upgrade my motherboard with some new ram. The motherboard is GA-P35-DS4 REV 2.0 with the newest bios.

I have four sticks of 2gb each of Mushkin XP2-8500 DDR2 with timing of 5-5-5-15. Product number 991599 on there website.

Initially I was only able to get it to run with two sticks in so (4 GB). I then went in and switched my timing to manual and set it as 5-5-5-15 and was able to get it to boot with 6 gigs in now.

I am not sure why but when I put in the last stick it will not even boot to BIOS. I would appreciate any help people have had with this.

Also as a sidenote I am looking at upgrading my dual core processor to a quad core processor and am wondering will this require a reinstall of my current OS (winxp 32 bit)?

Thanks for all your help.
Russ

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Unable to boot to BIOS GA-P35-DS4 Rev 2.0

Your CPU upgrade should not need a Reinstall, windows will update the drivers once you start up the System. I do advise you load and apply optimized defaults in the BIOS though after your CPU upgrade and then apply and reboot to the BIOS again to enter all your settings over.

Please give me the settings you are using now for 6GB and I will advise back for 8GB. Please do list your CPU model as well so I am sure what I am advising on. 4+ GB usually needs a few changes, this is normal just so you know

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

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [8] 
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.5]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Enabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [450] 
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ ?
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ ?
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______?
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ ?

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ ?
Rank Write to READ Delay________ ?
Write to Precharge Delay_________ ?
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ ?
Read to Precharge Delay__________ ?
Static tRead Value_______________
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto]


System Voltage Control____ [Manual]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.300V] 
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [+0.1V] 
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [+0.1V] 
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.1V] 
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.25]

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] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[Muffin]

Re: Unable to boot to BIOS GA-P35-DS4 Rev 2.0

Thank you for the reply, I am currently running a Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz LGA 775. I am looking at upgrading to Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 in the future but that is a problem for another time.

Robust Graphics Booster- [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9x] 
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[N/A]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [333] 
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [Auto]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [Auto]
But Running at 1066 Mhz
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Auto]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]
I had two columns for these entries
CAS Latency Time________________ [5][5]
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ [7][5]
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______  [7][5]
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________    [24][15]

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ [4]
Rank Write to READ Delay________ [4]
Write to Precharge Delay_________ [8]
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ [68]
Read to Precharge Delay__________ [4]
Static tRead Value_______________[6]
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto]


System Voltage Control____ [Auto]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [Normal] 
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [Normal] 
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [Normal] 
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [Normal] 
CPU Voltage Control_______ [Normal]
Loadline Calibration______[Auto]
Normal CPU Vcore______[1.33750V]

Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Enabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [N/A]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [N/A]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

I hope this is what you are looking for and is helpful. If you still need more info please let me know and I will get you a response as soon as possible. Thanks a lot for any help you can offer. I want to get it running before I try to optimize the settings a bit so they may not be at the best settings right now but it boots.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Unable to boot to BIOS GA-P35-DS4 Rev 2.0

Thanks, yeap just what I needed. Try these and see how you get along >>>

8GB may prove to be difficult to run at 1066 on this board, but lets see.

Robust Graphics Booster- [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9x]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [333]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [100]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [3.20B]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

I had two columns for these entries << (Left Column is Auto settings is why) We will use Manual

CAS Latency Time________________ [5/6]
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ [5]
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______ [5]
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ [15/18]

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ [4] << 3-4 should work once you set everything else up

Rank Write to READ Delay________ [4] << May need 5, but wait till last as you may not need it at all

Write to Precharge Delay_________ [8] << 4-6 should be good ^^
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ [68] << Needs to be 72-82+ for 8GB (68 may work in the end, but may not pass Memtest86+. So You may be looking at 68/72-80 in the end)
Read to Precharge Delay__________ [4] Should be good
Static tRead Value_______________[6] << Set 7-8 for now until you get stable then you can try to lower

Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto] << Always Auto


System Voltage Control____ [Auto] << Manual
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [+0.2-0.35V] << Here is the main issue aside from MCH Likely. You must set your ram voltage for sure. Set +0.3 for now (2.1V) you can try lower later once you are sure you have found your stable area

PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [Normal]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [Normal] << Set +0.1 for FSB Stability
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [+0.15-0.35V] << Set +0.2-0.3 for 4GB+ DDR2
CPU Voltage Control_______ [Normal]
Loadline Calibration______[Auto]
Normal CPU Vcore______[1.33750V]

Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Enabled] << Disabled
C2/C2E State Support....................: [N/A]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [N/A]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled] Enabled if you use Vmware/Virtual PC

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Disabled] *Note* Must be enabled to flash from USB

[Muffin]

Re: Unable to boot to BIOS GA-P35-DS4 Rev 2.0

Thanks for the great reply I am sure I will need it very soon. Sadly I assumed that the new stick of RAM was in proper working order, so I just tried to use it for my 6 GB and it wouldn't boot so then I tried the stick by it self and to my surprise it wouldn't boot. So just to make sure I tried other ram modules in all the slots and I had no issues so clearly I got a faulty stick of memory from the factory.

I am really sorry that I may have wasted some of your time as it appears this may be the biggest issue. All though I have a feeling that the parameters you have given me are going to come into play when I do get a stick that is working.

I really appreciate you help and quick response on this issue, definitely going to buy Gigabyte motherboard again as for the RAM company that is two failed modules so not to sure about them.

Thanks again though, I will keep you posted on how everything turns out.

Russ

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: Unable to boot to BIOS GA-P35-DS4 Rev 2.0

Yeap, sorry to hear, sounds like you did recieve a DOA stick of memory. It happens with the best of them.

You did not waste our time, we are hear to help best we can, and happy to help as well.

Mushkin is a Superb brand, and Comes highly recommended by me. I have several sets of them in use now, and several on my desk. So I would not doubt them as a good company because they for sure are, DOA happens with all brands, just seems you got the short end of the stick a few times to many recently.

Did you setup a RMA with them, they RMA pretty easy and quick from what I have seen.

[Muffin]

Re: Unable to boot to BIOS GA-P35-DS4 Rev 2.0

Oh okay well that is good to know about their reputation I thought perhaps it was maybe something with the company. Ya the RMA was very quick and well done I just sent my RAM back to them yesterday so will have a new stick again next week and can get it running. The RMA was very easy I was quite impressed with that part of it.

Thanks again for you help Lsdmeasap.