Memory Timing Evaluation Tools

[Magister]

Hi all.
We recently replaced the RAM in a number of machines.
Originally each of 14 machines had a single OEM 256MB PC2700 DIMM.
We replaced them with a single 512 MB PC2700 DIMM made by Kingston.

We did this because of intermittent instability experienced.
The situation did not improve, and may even have grown worse.

I'd like to experiment with the memory timings, on the hypothesis that the MB timings are less than optimum.

Are there tools I can use to evaluate memory timings?
I use Memtest 86+ v1.70 to test the RAM -- is that sufficient?

What is standard methodology for investigating RAM timing?
I've generally always pretty much gone with whatever the BIOS determines is best.

I know that this is only one possible cause, and we will be testing others, such as :
Is Power supply under spec?
Does MB BIOS FW need u/g?
Does MB chipset driver need u/g (apparently not)

But for the purposes of this thead, I'm just pursuing the RAM timing issue.

TIA,
Magister

[Jason]

set the BIOS to SPD which is auto for timings. You might want to try Prime95 which does an exellent job stress testing machines and ram. As far as specific ram timing testing tools there are'nt any outside of an expensive stand alone ram tester which im sure you dont want to get.

Additionally you may want to set the bios back to defaults entirely. If the instability continues in all of the machiens then it would be my suggestion that there may be a software issue going on and not a hardware issue unless these machines are in a hot environment or very old which if they are using DDR ram they are probably not. Give them a good blow out using canned air.

[Genghis-Kahn]

I'll offer up a couple cents here and hope it helps. In my experiences and depending on the motherboards used in the system builds, you might find that adding a slight voltage increase to the RAM's specified operating voltage setting in the BIOS can help achieve stability. Many motherboards are a little too conservative on the amount power supplied to the RAM.

If the RAM requires 2.0 volts at stock frequencies, try increasing it to 2.05 or 2.1 volts depending on which your BIOS offers. It's worked many, many times for me on endless systems. You'd be surprised what else it can remedy, like randomly crashing programs, failure to launch properly, odd memory page exception errors, blue screens, random lockups, and even system power downs.

Here's hoping it works for you. *Raises glass*

[HTRN]

To find out your ram timings, or rather what the manufacturer says they should be, download a program called "Everest Ultimate Edition" and run the hardware report wizard. If you buy a full version of this program it also has a wealth of other usfull tools and even a ram stress test feature.

I've been repairing / building PC's for over 10+ yrs now and I cant tell you how many times Everest has helped me out. Her's a link to the home page

http://www.lavalys.com/