Well, I’ve come to the conclusion that my RAM is incompatible with my motherboard.
Originally I had ordered a pair of Samsung modules that were explicitly listed on the ASUS website as being certified for use with this particular motherboard.
Unfortunately at the last minute I received a call from one of the EYO people informing me that that particular memory was going to take at least 2 weeks to come in (they have since removed the memory I had ordered from their online catalog). Needing to make a quick decision, I chose to go with another name brand I knew well and chose some Kingston modules.
Now I’ve had heaps of trouble with BSoDs while trying to install XP. The RAM POST checks out okay, even under slow check, so I’m pretty sure it is not faulty. I checked the Kingston website, and this particular model of RAM is actually designed for various P4 mobos, and not an AMD/nForce2 mobo like I have. Oops.
So I’m going to try some slower RAM from my other machine to see if I can actually get WinXP loaded at least, and then I will call EYO back first thing tomorrow morning and see if I can get some Corsair memory. I’ve done a tonne of research, and the Corsair stuff seems to be very reliable and is actually tested in a mobo similar to mine before leaving the factory ! Only problem is that it is heaps expensive – at least half as much again. But then, I am a firm believer in total cost of ownership – the cost of cheap-and-potentially-nasty RAM can be quite a bit higher when you take into account all the problems one has trying to get it working, and all the lost productivity when your system BSoDs.
I’ll keep you posted.
*sigh*
It’s a good thing I love doing this type of thing so much ! :D
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