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View Full Version : Matrix Elite random lockups. Need some advice/suggestions



supernaut
28-10-2006, 04:24 PM
Hi All

I have a problem with a Matrix Elite (product code PC-0734TP, S/N 7072183-001) that has me completely confused.

Until recently it has been working fine, even after being fried by a power surge earlier this year and fixed by those nice people at Novatech. But it has now started locking up on me randomly. I traced this originally to a faulty memory module, so I decided to treat myself to 4 GB of Corsair paired memory. Trouble is, it is still locking randomly.

Trying to trace the fault, I have -

- soak tested the memory with memtest86
- chkdsk the hard drive. Several times, and using other diagnostic apps
- reinstalled XP Pro, then added applications one at a time to try and identify a possible conflict.
- reinstalled XP, and reproduced the fault once with no other software (but it was much more stable than with other software installed)
- upgraded the BIOS (there lies a story in itself - now sorted!)
- upgraded the board drivers

Just when I thought I had it figured out (BIOS upgrade), I successfully installed XP, let all the Windows updates come through, then tried to install Norton AV and it locked.

So I am now at a loss as to what to try next. I did note this post about the Foxconn motherboard and a Microsoft wireless keyboard (which I am using) here - http://forum.novatech.co.uk/viewtopic.p ... s+wireless (http://forum.novatech.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=549&highlight=nf4uk8aa+bios+wireless) , but as I said I have already updated the BIOS.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Chris

supernaut
28-10-2006, 04:38 PM
Bad show following up my own post, but I forgot to mention.

One memory test app (tuff-test) is barfing on the memory over and above 3328MB (as in crashing spectacularly), and memtest86 is only detecting memory up to 3328MB. I have moved memory around the slots and tested the permutations of 3 DIMMs to make sure they are all working - everything checks out OK.

Now, the mobo manual does say something about detecting only 3.5 GB when all DIMM sockets are populated due to "the South Bridge resource allocation".

Is it possible that somehow something in Windows is detecting 4096MB of memory and using the last, unuseable .5GB ?

Chris