Help me, or just shoot me...

[hhieu]

This is how it's been frustrating me: Every morning when I start my comp, it hangs after booting thru Autoexec.bat. Then I change the memory module to a different slot (or just take it out and put it back), it boots normally like nothing happens...
The components are Abit BX6 rev 2, Celeron 300A at 450Mhz, 64meg Micron Sdram DIMM with ECC, CL Banshee Blaster, SB PCI125, 8gig Maxtor, Win98 and Linux.
Nothing esle is wrong except that. I've tried everything I know: Msconfig, Boot Record, Bios, and even my friend's new hard drive...I think it's something about the Memory module and its compatibility with the board, but what? Need one more module? A different memory brandname?
Thanks for any help, even tiny http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

By the way, they told me that Linux doesn't support CL Blaster Banshee yet. Is that right? Anyone know?

[hhieu]

the memory is 64meg PC100 SDRAM (8ns) from Micron.

[augidog]

if it was compatability, i would figure it wouldn't run at all...try a new module.

i'm mailing you cachecheck v.7

anybody else need it?

[This message has been edited by augidog (edited 04-15-99).]

[hhieu]

augidog, thanks for the Cachecheck. I did as you said:
CMOS: conv_mem=640k, ext_mem=64,512K; total=65,151k........
BIOS: ext_mem=64,512K; total=64MB......
1/2/4/8/16/32/64/128/256/512/1024/2048/4096KB
0/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/7/7/--/--/-- (us/kb)
1/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/7/7/7/7/7 (us/kb)
...............................same as above

I tried to read the instruction in the Cachecheck folder, but understand nothing. Could you explain it?
Thanks a lot,

...and with cache enabled.

[This message has been edited by hhieu (edited 04-15-99).]

[augidog]

well...the block size should be self explaining...the next set of #'s shows relative speed of your caches (lower is faster).
your L1 will be the fastest, the speed will be the same up to the size of your internal cache, L2 will be a little slower up to it's size (do you see a correlation?), then you begin to see the speed of your physical RAM (7 is high, you could probably increase your timing in CMOS). same as above means that the block just read (1M) has the same spec as the previous one...was it all the same up to 64M? any "timer messed up" messages?

since cachechk hits the cache so hard, i was hoping it would indicate if you were having any problems with your DIMM, it's a good, fairly quick way to look it over.

i would still try another module if possible.

just a thought...try renaming config.sys and autoexec.bat and booting.

[This message has been edited by augidog (edited 04-15-99).]

[MaxVal]

Sounds like a wierd one!
I had a similar problem with my machine, only mine would mess up the video settings on a cold boot. After restoring my registry I could restart and reboot all day with no trouble!
Eventualy I discovered that if I set my AGP to 1x in setup, cold starts were OK!!
My theory on this has to due with the on board temp monitor- When machine is cold, the data sent causes problems, when it warms past a certain point, all is ok.
Try going to the system properties page and create a second machine configuration, (just copy your present one and rename it). On rebooting windoze will pause and request a configuration- on your first boot of the day, let it sit at this point several min. Then select a config. to finish booting. If all is OK you may be experiencing a similar mystery. You could always try checking and changing your AGP settings also.
Another thought- check for updated Bios & drivers for all your devices.
GOOD LUCK!

On rereading your post, I noticed you are overclocking- try at 300mhz!
MAX

[This message has been edited by MaxVal (edited 04-15-99).]

[Jin Vitas]

hhieu, if i was in your place I would boot into safe mode.. several times.. and see if you hang.. if u DO NOT then it is possible that u may have just a device driver trying to load or something in your startups..

[hhieu]

Good morning all,
Augidog, I don't have any other module available now, but I will try to get one without the ECC. I think the Config.sys and Autoexec.bat are fine. It just doesn't boot into System.ini. It happens when I turn on my comp after being off for an hour or more. Weird ha? All I do is just take the memory module out and put it back in the same slot, and it boots...I think I discharge the memory or something when I do that.

MaxVal, Jin Vitas, I've updated all new drivers for my hardware, and the new Bios for Abit BX6 2 too. I've tried a different video card, tried booting up without sound card and modem...but it still happened.

Thanks all,
I will try a different module and let you know...

[hhieu]

Ok, I jsut tested these:
I used the PC100 module with my second comp (Pen II 233mhz, Asus motherboard,...). Nothing wrong happened--->> My memory is ok, right?

I then used the EDO memory (two 32-meg modules) with the Abit BX. It still did not boot up-->> there is some wrong with the Abit board?
The one thing that cracks my nerves is this: what happens when I take out the module and put it back in? All of the slots are not good? Do I discharge something? That's the only way I can boot my comp. normally (like everyone of you guys do http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif)
By the way, there are only two options: either I have to displace the module everytime I boot, or I just shoot myself. And I definitely don't like the first option http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[hhieu]

Ok, I jsut tested these:
I used the PC100 module with my second comp (Pen II 233mhz, Asus motherboard,...). Nothing wrong happened--->> My memory is ok, right?

I then used the EDO memory (two 32-meg modules) with the Abit BX. It still did not boot up-->> there is some wrong with the Abit board?
The one thing that cracks my nerves is this: what happens when I take out the module and put it back in? All of the slots are not good? Do I discharge something? That's the only way I can boot my comp. normally (like everyone of you guys do http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif)
By the way, there are only two options: either I have to displace the module everytime I boot, or I just shoot myself. And I definitely don't like the first option http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[augidog]

this is the last piece of "technical" advice i can think of-return the board.

[kwai]

the o'c friendly boards from abit seem to be unstable with their mem support. my bh6 won't boot with the mem in socket 2. fact of life. if you want stable, go with aopen or tyan.

[augidog]

ya better get this fixed pretty soon or we'll just give up and shoot you.

[Junior]

Ecc ram is not compatible with non-ecc ram. So if you bought it then you won't be able to use them together. I think there is a setting in the bios for ecc or non ecc.