[ale] Hardware problems continue on new system

[Jim Seymour]

On Sat, Mar 20, 2004 at 11:22:48PM -0500, James P. Kinney III wrote:
> 
> At this point, it sounds like there is a serious problem with either
> the bios clocking setup or the RAM is bad. A third issue could be power
> supply. 
> 
> Try running the clock speed down on the entire system and run memtest. 
> Also, try to run memtest on the same ram installed in another board. Try
> different ram in the same board.

Set the system speed down as low as possible (100MHz). The bios still 
reported the memory frequency at 200MHz. Memtest86 failed at the same 
test although only about 15,000+ errors.

> Verify that the RAM is actually what you think it is. It does happen
> that the store hands out the wrong part. Try looking up chip codes to
> see if they match the specs you are trying.

I am out of play time tonight. I'll try to get time Sunday morning to 
check the chip codes.
 
> It is also possible that the power supply is only marginally in spec.
> Add a motherboard only marginally in spec and the system may be now out
> of spec for what the power supply can deliver. If the issue clears up a
> bit with nothing plugged in but the mother board and the device used to
> run memtest from, change the powersupply.

Doesn't seem to be that. No change.
 
> Best test would be to take to system to where you got the ram. Get them
> to produce new ram. Run memtest right there with them watching. If the
> new ram fails as well, get a new mother board and test the old ram.

I bought these parts through newegg.com. At times like this saving $$ 
seems to be a bad choice. This is the only system I have access to that 
uses these parts so I can't swap memory around or try it in other 
systems. Thanks for the test suggestions. Looks like I'm getting closer.

Later,

Jim