Computer Freezes At Boot After RAM Upgrade

[Tom_47]

Computer is an eMachines D3415
FIC Motherboard No. K8MC51G Version PCB 1.x
Phoenix Award BIOS Version 6.00PG Release NAA19EM
RAM 1-1024MB 400MHz DDR400 PC3200, 184p DIMM, 2.5v, Sync, CL=3
AMD Semprom processor 3400+ 2.01 GHz
Hard Drive Seagate Model ST3160021A Size 160.0 GB
Sound Device Realtek AC'97 Audio
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce 6100
Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 SP2
Running AVG 9.0 Free Antivirus software

The machine has two memory slots and will accomodate a maximum of 2GB according to eMachines documentation.

I recently purchased two 1GB RAM sticks of the above specification from Arch Memory guaranteed to work in this make and model computer to upgrade from the one 512MB stick that came with the system.  With both new sticks installed, the machines freezes on boot with the monitor displaying thin vertical colored lines on a black background.  I've made as certain as I can that both slots are free of dust and that both sticks are seated securely.  Also, the machine boots and runs without any problem with just one stick installed.  This is true of either stick installed in either slot.  I have run Memtest-86 Version 3.5 on each stick separately (one complete pass) and found no errors.

The person at Arch Memory I talked to suggested updating the BIOS to see if that would solve the problem.  There is one update available:  NAA24EM.  However, both eMachines and FIC (the motherboard maker) do not recommend flashing the BIOS due to the risks involved unless one is certain it will solve the problem.  That is not the case at this time.

Also, the System Properties box in Windows XP shows 128MB less RAM than is installed.  I assume this 128MB is allocated to MMIO.

What I would like to know is if the problem with booting the system with both RAM sticks installed is due to the BIOS needing the update, the MMIO allocation, a setting in CMOS, or something else?

Any help getting the 2GB working will be appreciated.

Below is more information on my system from "System Information for Windows" © Gabriel Topala:

MOTHERBOARD
Manufacturer   First International Computer, Inc.
Model   K8MC51G
Version   PCB 1.x
Serial Number   C565C40260
   
North Bridge   NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Revision A2
South Bridge   NVIDIA nForce 410/430 MCP Revision A2
   
CPU   AMD Sempron(tm) Processor 3400+
Cpu Socket   Socket 754
   
System Slots   2 PCI
   
Memory Summary   
Maximum Capacity   8192 MBytes
Maximum Memory Module Size   4096 MBytes
Memory Slots   2
Error Correction   None
   
Warning!   Accuracy of DMI data cannot be guaranteed


---------------------------------------

BIOS
BIOS Vendor   Phoenix Technologies, LTD
Serial Number   CCA5-C
BIOS Version   6.00 PG
Firmware Version   111.101
BIOS Date   11/11/2005
BIOS Size   512 KB
BIOS Starting Segment   E000h
DMI Version   2.3
Characteristics   - supports ISA
   - supports PCI
   - supports Plug-and-Play
   - supports APM
   - upgradeable (Flash) BIOS
   - allows BIOS shadowing
   - supports booting from CD-ROM
   - supports selectable boot
   - BIOS ROM is socketed
   - supports Enhanced Disk Drive specification
   - supports INT 13 5.25-inch/360K floppy services
   - supports INT 13 5.25-inch/1.2M floppy services
   - supports INT 13 3.5-inch/720K floppy services
   - supports INT 13 3.5-inch/2.88M floppy services
   - supports INT 05 print-screen
   - supports INT 09 and 8042 keyboard services
   - supports INT 14 serial services
   - supports INT 17 printer services
   - supports INT 10 CGA/Mono video services
   - supports ACPI
   - supports legacy USB
   - supports booting from LS-120
   - supports booting from ATAPI ZIP drive
   - BIOS Boot Specification supported

-------------------------------------

CPU
Number of Logical Processors   1
Number of Physical Processors   1
CPU #1   AMD Sempron 3400+
CPU Name   AMD Sempron(tm) Processor 3400+
CPU Code Name   Palermo
Vendor   AuthenticAMD
Number of Bits   64
Instruction Set   MMX (+), 3DNow! (+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, x86-64, NX
Platform Name   Socket 754
Revision   DH-E6
Technology   90 nm
Original Clock   2000 MHz
Original System Clock   200 MHz
Original Multiplier   10.0
CPU Clock   2009 MHz
System Clock   200.9 MHz
HT Link   803.7 MHz
Number of Cores   1
Core #1
Speed   2009.4 MHz
Multiplier   10.0
Virtual Technology Supported   No
Hyper Threading Supported   No
Cache
L1 Data Cache   64 KBytes
L1 Instructions Cache   64 KBytes
L2 Cache   256 KBytes

-------------------------------

MEMORY
Maximum Capacity   8192 MBytes
Maximum Memory Module Size   4096 MBytes
Memory Slots   2
Error Correction   None
DRAM Frequency   200.9 MHz
Memory Timings   3-3-3-8 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
Device Locator   Slot 1
Capacity   1024 MBytes
Memory Type   DDR (PC3200)
Speed   200 MHz
Supported Frequencies   133.3 MHz, 166.7 MHz, 200.0 MHz
Memory Timings   2-2-2-6-0 at 133.3 MHz, at 2.5 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings   2-3-3-7-0 at 166.7 MHz, at 2.5 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Memory Timings   3-3-3-8-0 at 200.0 MHz, at 2.5 volts (CL-RCD-RP-RAS-RC)
Data Width   64 bits
EPP SPD Support   No
XMP SPD Support   No

----------------------------

STORAGE DEVICES
Disk 0
Manufacturer   Seagate
Model   ST3160021A
Size   160.0 GB
Firmware Version   8.01
Serial Number   5JS8EGJM
Interface   Parallel ATA
Standard   ATA/ATAPI-6 | ATA/ATAPI-6 T13 1410D version 2
Transfer Mode (Current / Max)   Ultra DMA-100 / Ultra DMA-100
Features   S.M.A.R.T., 48bit LBA
Temperature   39 C (102 F)
Drive Letter(s)   C: D:
Controller Buffer Size on Drive   2048 KB
Removable   No
Cache Enabled (Read / Write)   Yes / Yes
SMART Support   Yes
Attribute Name   Attribute Value               Worst Value                   Threshold Value               Raw Data
Raw Read Error Rate (01)             064                                   052                                   006                         

000006ED4971
Spin Up Time (03)             096                                   096                                   000                         

000000000000
Start/Stop Count (04)             100                                   100                                   020                         

000000000039
Reallocated Sector Count (05)             100                                   100                                   036                         

000000000000
Seek Error Rate (07)             089                                   060                                   030                         

0000302F94FB
Power On Hours Count (09)             060                                   060                                   000                         

000000008A93
Spin Retry Count (0A)             100                                   100                                   097                         

000000000000
Power Cycle Count (0C)             100                                   100                                   020                         

0000000002D3
HDA Temperature (C2)             039                                   049                                   000                         

000000000027
ECC On The Fly Count (C3)             064                                   051                                   000                         

000006ED4971
Current pending sector count (C5)             100                                   100                                   000           

              000000000000
Off-line uncorrectable sector count (C6)             100                                   100                                   000           

              000000000000
Ultra ATA CRC Error Rate (C7)             200                                   200                                   000           

              000000000000
Multi Zone Error Rate (C8)             100                                   253                                   000                         

000000000000
Data Address Mark Errors (CA)             100                                   253                                   000           

              000000000000
Disk 1
Manufacturer   Generic
Model   Generic USB SD Reader USB Device
Firmware Version   1.00
Removable   Yes
SMART Support   No
Disk 2
Manufacturer   Generic
Model   Generic USB CF Reader USB Device
Firmware Version   1.01
Removable   Yes
SMART Support   No
Disk 3
Manufacturer   Generic
Model   Generic USB SM Reader USB Device
Firmware Version   1.02
Removable   Yes
SMART Support   No
Disk 4
Manufacturer   Generic
Model   Generic USB MS Reader USB Device
Firmware Version   1.03
Removable   Yes
SMART Support   No
DVD Writer 0
Manufacturer   [unknown]
Model   ATAPI iHAP322 8 (ATAPI iHAP322
Firmware Version   UL14
Interface   Parallel ATA
Standard   ATA8-ACS | ----
Transfer Mode (Current / Max)   Ultra DMA-66 / Ultra DMA-66
Drive Letter(s)   E:
Controller Buffer Size on Drive   2048 KB
Removable   Yes
Capabilities
CD Reader   CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW
CD Writer   CD-R, CD-RW
DVD Reader   DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM
DVD Writer   DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM
SMART Support   No

---------------------------

LOGICAL DISKS
Drive   Drive Type   Bus Type   File System   Total Size   Used Space   Free

Space   % Free
C:\   Local Disk   ATA   NTFS 3.1   144.7 (GB)   38.9 (GB)   105.7 (GB)   

73 %
D:\   (RECOVERY)   Local Disk   ATA   FAT32   4399 (MB)   1618 (MB)   

2781 (MB)   63 %
E:\   DVD   ATAPI               
F:\   Removable Disk   USB               
G:\   Removable Disk   USB               
H:\   Removable Disk   USB               
I:\   Removable Disk   USB               


---------------------------

SOUND DEVICES
Realtek AC'97 Audio
Name   Realtek AC'97 Audio
Manufacturer   Realtek
Device ID   PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_026B&SUBSYS_60061509&REV_A2\3&2411E6FE&0&82
PnP Device Id   PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_026B&SUBSYS_60061509&REV_A2\3&2411E6FE&0&82



---------------------------

VIDEO
Video Adapter   NVIDIA GeForce 6100
Code Name   C51
Video Processor   GeForce 6100
Technology   90 nm
Adapter DAC Type   Integrated RAMDAC
PCI ID   0x10DE / 0x0242 (Nvidia Corp / GeForce 6100)
PCI sub ID   0x1509 / 0x6006 (First International Computer Inc)
Memory   256 MBytes
BIOS String   Version  5.51.22.26.00
BIOS Date   10/25/05
PnP Device Id   PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0242&SUBSYS_60061509&REV_A2\3&2411E6FE&0&28
Video Mode Description   1024 x 768 x 4294967296 colors
Driver Version   6.14.10.8133
Driver Date   2005-09-18 16:32:00
DirectX   DirectX 9.0
Driver Name   nv4_disp.dll
Driver Description   NVIDIA GeForce 6100
Monitor   Plug and Play Monitor
Model   e15t4
Monitor ID   EMA061C
Manufacturing Date   2005, Week 51
PnP Device Id   DISPLAY\EMA061C\4&F46A33A&0&22446688&00&05
Input   Analog Input Voltage - 0.700V/0.300V
Serial Number   35C 50H 07203
Display Size   14.9" (30 cm x 23 cm)
Horizontal Frequency   30-60 kHz
Vertical Frequency   56-76 Hz
Current Resolution   1024 x 768 @ 75Hz
Supported Resolution   1024 x 768 @ 75Hz - Aspect Ratio 4:3
EDID Version   1 revision 3
Max dot clock (video bandwidth)   80 MHz
DPMS Mode Support   Active Off, Suspend, Standby

[dwegiel]

Flashing the BIOS is always dangerous. But companies over stress on it. You have a 95% of a successful flash, so I'd say go for it. If it fails, it's not the end of the world. You can purchase a new motherboard for your computer for only ~$30. Or you could just buy it right away =P

[Tom_47]

Flashing the BIOS is always dangerous. But companies over stress on it. You have a 95% of a successful flash, so I'd say go for it. If it fails, it's not the end of the world. You can purchase a new motherboard for your computer for only ~$30. Or you could just buy it right away =P

Given the danger of flashing the BIOS, I'd really like to keep that as my last option after having tried everything else first.  Or am I already at the point where there is nothing else to try?

Thanks for the reply.

[Allan]

Flashing the bios is NOT dangerous. Just do it.

[Tom_47]

At this point I'm not sure that the BIOS is involved.  Another attempt to boot with both sticks got as far as Windows loading.  After the Windows Splash Screen but before the log-in screen the screen shown below popped up:



The only new hardware installed before this STOP:  0x50 error is the RAM so removing it does allow the computer to boot but that is hardly a solution unless the RAM is bad.  I understand that out-of-date drivers can also cause this error but I don't know why they would do so only when both RAM sticks are installed.  I don't know what the other numbers in parenthesis mean or if they tell more specifically what is wrong.

Since the RAM seems to function under BIOS, I booted and ran MemTest-86 v3.5 from CD with both sticks installed and got the result below after one complete pass:



I subsequently booted into MemTest with one stick installed to try to isolate the bad RAM.  The tests and results were:

Stick 1 in slot 1 for 5 passes:  No errors
Stick 2 in slot 1 for 3 passes:  No errors
Stick 2 in slot 2 for 3 passes:  No errors

It seems that both sticks work okay separately but for some reason not together.  Yet both are the same type and speed of RAM and have identically marked chips on them.

If anyone can better interpret the results I've obtained so far, suggest further tests I can run or, better yet, offer an idea as to what is causing this problem, I would be very grateful.

Thanks in advance for any help from anyone.

Tom

P.S.  I've attached a text file of the physical memory dump referred to in the first screen shot above in case anyone can and/or cares to wade through that stuff.

[recovering disk space - old attachment deleted by admin]

[Computer_Commando]

Are the memory modules identical, right down to the chip count & the part numbers on the chips?  You have a dual-channel motherboard, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-channel
and if the modules are not a matched pair, it may be attempting to configure as dual-channel and failing.  Try pairing your old 512MB with one new 1024MB.
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=D3415

[Tom_47]

Are the memory modules identical, right down to the chip count & the part numbers on the chips?

Yes, the memory modules are identical, right down to the chip count and the part numbers on the chips.  I've gone over them with a magnifying glass to make sure of that.

Try pairing your old 512MB with one new 1024MB.

I'm running the machine right now with one new 1024MB and the original 512MB which are by different manufacturers and have different brands of chips with different numbers and it works great.  The problem only appears with both new 1024MB modules.  It's maddening.

Thanks anyway for the suggestions.  I appreciate the help and am open to any other suggestions you or anyone else might have.

Tom

[bil_drk]

whats the max amount of memory the motherboard supports?

[Tom_47]

whats the max amount of memory the motherboard supports?

According to eMachines, 2GB.

[Computer_Commando]

According to eMachines, 2GB.

One of my computers (not e-Machines) does the same thing.  It's also uses DDR, dual-channel in 4 slots.  Manufacturer says it supports 4GB, only sees 2.75GB; never got a satisfactory answer, never could figure out why.

[bil_drk]

according to your test results, all your memory sticks are perfectly fine. make sure that the new ram has the same bus speeds as the original, and if they do then the only thing left to try is flashing the BIOS. if you don't feel comfortable doing it, you can take it to a professional.

[Tom_47]

One of my computers (not e-Machines) does the same thing.  It's also uses DDR, dual-channel in 4 slots.  Manufacturer says it supports 4GB, only sees 2.75GB; never got a satisfactory answer, never could figure out why.

It seems that may be the case here also.  I think I'm just going to leave it as it is as it's working really well (much faster than with 512MB alone) and return the one 1024MB module to Arch Memory for a refund.

Thanks to everyone who replied for your help.

Tom