Gigabyte GA-7N400S-L Dual Channel Memory Problem

[Stu81]

Hi all, I am having a problem with the new Gigabyte GA-7N400S-L nForce2 board I just upgraded to. I am using an Athlon XP 3200 400MHz and two identical model 512MB CL2.5 PC3200 TwinMOS DDR RAM sticks. Basically the RAM is working fine in single channel mode, but as soon as I insert them for dual channel mode the system becomes very unstable and Windows XP won't boot. I have checked settings in BIOS but everything seems to be in order, running at effectively 400MHz.

I went to TwinMOS' website and found this:

"Please be aware that there could be compatibility problems with 2 times 512MB modules for Dual-Channel on nForce2 chipset mainboards. Please check QVL with your motherboard supplier or update the newest BIOS for nForce2 compatibility issue".

Although it is not very intuitive, I checked my BIOS version anyway, and it's the latest version so I don't think that the BIOS is the problem. Can anybody suggest a workaround for this?

[DaFanMan]

Stu81,

What settings are you running the ram at? If at default settings then that may be your problem.

If youre not sure about the nvidia nforce2 chipset/memory thingamabob then check the excellent faq stickied at the top of the page.

I would expect that you would have to manually set the ram timings to 11-3-3-?, and up the voltage to the ram to 2.8v or thereabouts, that is if your board allows you those changes after hitting ctrl +f1 at the main bios scrn to access hidden options.

Laterz,
dafanman

[Stu81]

DaFanMan, thanks for your reply. I have checked the FAQ and tried a few settings in the BIOS, but nothing works, it still refuses to boot in dual channel mode. I set the timings to 11-3-3 by the way, made no difference. I also looked to see if I can change the voltage to the RAM, but there does not seem to be that option for my board, even with the hidden options revealed.

[reshk]

Basically the RAM is working fine in single channel mode, but as soon as I insert them for dual channel mode the system becomes very unstable and Windows XP won't boot.

Exactly what I faced before. I got the same expericence when I put 2 x 512MB for running in dual channel mode, it was failed. But it was very stable in running in single mode, similar to your case.

I tried all methods, such as slow down the memory speed, changed setting in cmos, changed slot.... but still failed. I could only ran either at 333mhz dual channel or 400mhz single channel.

Until recently I changed to 2 x 1G , now they work fine in 400mhz dual channel.

Still unable to identify what problem was. But don't worry, it is not really problem because I still unable to feel the different in speed after I succeed in running in dual channel mode.

[Stu81]

Thanks for the helpful reply reshk. I guess this is a problem specific to Gigabyte nForce 2 boards. It's not really a problem 'cos eveything's running fine in single channel, and like you say, it's unlikely I will feel a difference using dual channel so I may just leave it.

[nitrofc54]

SAME exact problem i have, (pc 3200 kingston value ram 256X2 dual channel kit)run single channel just fine on Dimm slots 1&2 try same chip .swap from #2 to #3( on post screen,Dual channel says enabled) and windows WONT boot(on a 2.8V dimm) changed the timings all over the place from 11,3,3,3- 6,4,3,2, tried slots #2 and#4 reads ONLY 256 and they are both exactly 256 same type and brand from a dual channel kit. Kingston brand,so thinkin very flakey board on the #3 and #4 slots, Gigabyte tech has NO idea asked em like 40 million questions. Guess only way to get more is to replace the 256 with 512, rock stable cpu 2500-m running at12.5 X186=2326.7 and a temp of38C on 1.65 volts. So just a flakey board i guess, everthing else runs GREAT just screwwy on the memory, wish i KNEW the answer as well, running modded bios based on the F20 version,by pr3ch3r, tried stock and same result so its NOT the bios.

[nitrofc54]

WELL as a update, just went BACK to the "microsoft IDE driver" and tried a "ultra PC3200 256" stick of memory and sheesh" poof" have 768 AND dual channel, so freakin ODD. MAybe th other kingston 256 stick is bad and doesnt show on the"memtest" Will RMA it and see if thats the problem, very happy to say the least. Gigabyte was tellin me id have to RMA the board, whewww, glad i dont have to. MOST stable Nforce board i have run,better than a "biostar M7ncdPro" anyday of the weekk MUAHHHHHH

[Alex87]

I am using a gigabyte GA-7N400S-L and am also having problems with the dual channel. I have a pair of crucial cas3 400mhz 512 modules. I was able to get the dual channel working on XP. I would get the occasional BSOD caused by memory with XP so i swaped to 2000, but again still had the same problem. I have run mem test in dual channel, and got 1000s of errors. The modules run fine in single channel with no errors. I dont know about other boards, but the modules are very loose in their slots. I have been reduced to running 512 in single channel now .
I have also had problems using the SATA controller on this board. Although the drivers should be the nVidia ones, installing windows on a 300GB SATA with the nVidia drivers doesnt work. However using the silicon image drivers, which are the wrong ones, windows installs and boots fine. However when I installed the supplied IDE channel controllers that come on the CD, after the restart windows wont boot (2000). Has any one else come across this problem? I only bought this board a month or two ago, so I should still be able to get a refund.

[nitrofc54]

well before you pull the board, check the facts on the gigabte at the top of the forum, a LOT of good info there. Sometimes its a driver or other problem, i had a bad memory chip,causing BSOD's and other fun chit, got a different brand of memory, and working just great, also SOME boards work fine with STOCK drivers, IDE and SATA some like modded or newer ones. I cant say on the SATA i dont use em, best bet check the FAQ's section first maybe have the answer there BEFORE ya return the board.

[markkc]

I have the same problem. My memory is 2x256MB Kingmax Super RAM DDR400 and it won't work on 400MHz in dual channel (works only on 333MHz). I sent mail to Gigabyte and they said that they can't guarantee for all memory to work on the MBO.
So, memory could be the problem.