New A-Bit AS8 locks up when adding 2nd memory stick

reginaell

Please help. I just built a new computer using a A-Bit AS8 motherboard
which has 4 memory slots expanding to 4gig. I put 1 DDR 256MB 2700,
333MHz card in slot one and everything worked fine. I then added another 256MB in slot 3(as directed by Abit) and when I turn on the computer it reads the following:
Phoenix Award BIOS v 6.00PG
Main Processor: Intel P4 CPU 2.85 GHz (204x14.0)
Memory Test: 524288k OK
CPU Brand Name: Intel P4 CPU 280GHz
Hyper Thread Technology CPU Detected (HTT enabled)

Press DEL to enter Setup
08/18/04 i865PE-W83627-6A79AA1MC-15
Then it freezes. Won't go to BIOS and won't load windows
Anything else I can do?
[/i]

soupy · Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 3:55 am Post subject:

I'd start by resetting everything in BIOS to defaults; FSB, voltages, RAM speed and timings, etc etc.

Are the chips exactly the same kind?
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reginaell · Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 10:23 pm Post subject:

Yes they are. I did however find out that I should have gotten dual channel DDR 400 sticks. Would that make a difference? Also, should I clear the Cmos on the board before setting thae defaults? Could the board be bad??

thanks for the help

regina

Ritchie · BIOS Guru Joined: 30 Oct 2002 Posts: 761

I think your processor probably requires the PC3200/400MHz DDR RAM spec. If so, then your CPU may not be very happy about a 333MHz module.

If the RAM spec is incompatible as I suspect, I recommend replacing with 2 * 256MB (or even 2 * 512MB) 400MHz or better modules. Remember that if you only buy 256MB modules now, the faster modules may or may not be available if and when you eventually decide you want more.

reginaell · Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 8:34 am Post subject: RAM compatibility with BIOS

Thank you all for helping me out with my "First Build". They say you learn something new every day and today I did. It was the memory cards, but not because they were DDR333 and not DUAL-channel DDR400, but because they were not compatible with with my Intel 865 chipset, they are compatible with VIA or SIS chipset.

Note to self: what's VIA or SIS

Thank you again, I was convinced it was the motherboard and you led me on the right path to the memory card company!

Sincerely,
regina

Denniss · Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 9:48 am Post subject:

Intel chipsets should eat everything VIA,ALI and SIS are eating,too .
But Intels often do not like to have all four memory slots filled especially not with all double sided memory sticks (or with el cheapo RAM).
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