Help! My system crashes very often and without any apparent reason.

Question

Hello,
I think I have the same problem as Juju had in a previous thread.
My sistem has the following:
  Pentium 4 2.4GHz HT (800 MHz FSB),
  MSI 865PE Neo2-LS MB,
  2 x 256MB DDR400 made by PQI,
  Nvidia GEForce 4 MX440 with 64MB RAM (Only AGP 4x),
  SoundBlaster Live! 4.1 (Value)
  Windows XP Pro OS
First, I couldn't install Win XP with memory in dual channel
configuration, but only with a single memory module.
Then, with one module or both modules in single (or dual) channel, I receive a lot of Page Fault errors from DirectX applications (like Unreal 2 and NFS 6), or even from RadLight
or MediaPlayer with some xvid encoded movies. The system also reboots from time to time. The errors are not so frequent when using only one memory module, but they are
still present.
I must say that all these applications were running with no errors on my previous system (which had the same video and sound cards, but a PIII motherboard and SDRAM).
I have tried different memory settings (even have set timings to the highest possible values - lowest performance) in BIOS but there is no change. I have also disabled HT, but still no result.
The temperature of the CPU is 45-55 degrees Celsius and the system temparature is 35-40 C.
Please, can somebody help me with this problem.
Can it be from the MB, from the memory, or from the video card ? Or even Win XP ?
Best Regards,
DaveJones

Answer 1

Quote
Originally posted by Neo 2
Ram has to have a latencey of 2 to run dual channel. So if it is 2.2 and up it will not work.
Features of Dual DDR memory architecture include:
Highest memory bandwidth: Dual DDR combines the power of DDR400 with two independent memory controllers, which yields a staggering 6.4GB per second of memory bandwidth¡Xtwice the memory bandwidth of other DDR400 chipsets. Increased memory bandwidth delivers better system and graphics performance, resulting in more overall productivity.
Lowest latency: Both memory controllers operate concurrently with each other to hide latencies associated with typical chipsets. For example, controller "A" reads or writes to main memory while controller "B" prepares for the next access, and vice versa. As important is the second-generation DASP (dynamic adaptive speculative preprocessor), which has been re-architected for improved performance.
Most stable and flexible memory system: End-users can now populate higher density DIMMs, up to 1GB each, to utilize the entire 3GB memory address map. This large memory map allows more applications, audio and video streams to coexist without conflict.
512MB (256MB x 2 modules)
TRUE PC3200 400MHz
Pure Copper Heat Spreader ($16 value)
6 Layer Ultra Low Noise Shielded PCB
184-pin DIMM
CAS Latency: 2-2.5
Optimized for Dual Channel Operation
Voltage: 2.5v-2.8V
Sorry to disagree. CAS Latency of 2.5 or even 3 does not prevent you from running in dual channel mode. It may hinder MAT or PAT settings.
DaveJones if you scroll down to the bottom of this page, you will see a RAM compatibility table, yours does not seem to be on the list which might be the source of your problem:
http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_detail.php?UID=433&MODEL=MS-6728