Ballistix pc4000 ddr 500 running @ ddr 214 - help please?

Question

k8n neo2 plat bios ver 1.3
3200 winchester
2x512 ballistix pc 4000 ddr sdram in slots 1+3
Hi
Im hoping someone will be able to help. I cannot get this memory to run at anything more than a ddr clock of 107 (214 ddr) when i set the timing to 'auto' on the memlock. Cpu-z says this speed but also has '256 clocks' in the 'dram idle timer' in its memory tab (meant to be 16 clocks im sure).
Ive messed around with it for ages trying to get it to work and have just received various error sounds and messages causing me to have to reset the cmos numerous times just to be able to get back in.
I can get it to work if i lock the memlock at 200 but this is causing it to run at only pc3200 (ddr 400) speed, not to mention giving me the inability to overclock it at all. Timings are set at what the memory is meant to run ddr 500 at - 2.5-4-8-4 (but im only sticking 2.7 volts through it, from stated 2.8, as it's running slower).
The crucial tool said it would work fine, the spec of the memory and board indicate that they're compatible with each other, and several people in the thread on this site are using it (1 person @ 235 fsb) - so i seem to think that i may be missing something.
Also, each stick of the memory works fine on it's own, got it to ddr 440 without flinching (220 fsb... ), and stable, no crashes or nothing - hours of use and numerous benchmarking. But 2 sticks just sends the ddr clock back to 107 unless i lock the memlock.
I've run memtest whilst locking the memlock at 200 and it showed no errors. Im going to do the same thing overnight tonight with the ddr clock knackered at 107 - see what shows up.
My other memory works fine - 2x512 2700 kingstonX.
Can anyone help? Much thanks

Answer 1

Try a BIOS upgrade.
Maybe it's no coincidence that my OCZ 3500EB was also limited to 214 mhz on my K8N Neo (not Neo2) with BIOS 1.4. Both sets of RAM use ICs made by Micron so perhaps it's no coincidence (not to say they're exactly the same.  They're not.)
Upping to beta BIOS 1.52, 1.55, or 1.56 fixes things for me.
Maybe for the Neo2 you should try beta 1.36 or 1.37 then? Worth a try.  I believe that K8N Neo BIOS 1.4 and K8N Neo2 BIOS 1.3 are total clunkers.
Good luck...