MSI K9A2 Platinum running 1066Mhz 2x2GB need help

Hi

Hoping someone has an idea of whats going on here.
I am trying to help out a customer and they cannot get beyond 950Mhz stable. Tried 4 diff kits all same issues.

I don't have much more info to go on, maybe its the divider only setting 950Mhz with his cpu, not sure.

CPU is phenom 9950

Timings tried

CAS# Latency (Tcl) - 5
RAS# to CAS# Delay (TRCD) - 5
RA# Precharge Time (Trp) - 5
Min RAS# Active Time (Tras) - 15

Advanced Timings

ROW Cycle Time (Trc) - 31T(or 26 when max)
Row Refresh Cycle Time (Trfc) - 375ns
ROW to ROW Delay (Trrd) - 4CLK
Write Recovery Time - 6CLK
Write to Read Delay (Twtr) - 3CLK
Read to Write Delay (Trwt) - 6CLK
1T/2T Memory Timing - 2T
Async Latnecy Value - Auto

Memory Voltage 2.0-2.1

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks


Greg

which bios you running

1.5
Version 1.0 of the board.

I've had similar issues with mine. I don't have any suggestions to fix, only wanted to mention that mine is not stable using the 1066 setting at any speed, even underclocked. I've read of others having similar issues. You may need to resort back to 800MHz for stability.

Did you try AUTO Ram settings with the recommended Volts with only 2gigs first(1stick. If it runs and doesnt error ..Are both sticks in the correct slots for DOUBLESIDED or SINGLE SIDED DIMMS?


This is a long shot but usually helps alot..Raise the CPU to SB/NB volts or which ever is the NORTHBRIDGE on the Mobo not the CPU..

You may need to set itNBmobov @ 1.28-1.31v for 2x2gig sticks to work with that mobo..and use ganged mode.

SB600's dont have the correct Volts enabled to push 2gigs in each slot..So slightly Higher NBmobo volts in bios to handle 4gigs in two slots should do the trick

Just boot with one stick and set the Volts and NB on MOBO then stut down install Both sticks ,,Have fun..

Once you get them to run stable then you can worry about optimal timings...Also disable any AUTOtweaks for ram and make shure to use MAXRAM speed or high freqency setting when set to 1066. I forget what MSI has in thier bios..They can work ,,the Bios just isnt optimized for 1066 with 2x2gig to just PNP.

Note:
Read your Auto timing with One stick @ 1066..It should read something like 5-7-7-24-2T..If its doing what i think its doing. That should be default fo most bios to boot 1066 for Phenom....Have tested this with 8500 4x1gig which will require the same amount of volts for CPU to sb/nb chipset,, Stis is for stability even with stock CPUcloks...PatriotViper4x1//CrucialBalls4x1//Also2x2 and 4x1DominatorD9's//6400cosairsDHXC54x1//kingstonHypers 4x1.


I was able to get all to boot and run with no errors.. But if i kept the CPU- SB/NB to stock volts it would not run all four sticks 4gigs stable only two..

Ive tried the new 2x2Corsair Dominator kit and it worked the same way..Had to use one stick to set the volts then was able to add the other..

Hope that helps..

I've got 4GB (2x2GB) G.Skill PI DDR2-1066 on a K9A2 Platinum
it's working fine at 5-5-5-15 @533MHZ (DDR2-1066), using 2.2V (it's rated for 2.1V)

I'm using the P0H BIOS

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Apokalipse

I've got 4GB (2x2GB) G.Skill PI DDR2-1066 on a K9A2 Platinum
it's working fine at 5-5-5-15 @533MHZ (DDR2-1066), using 2.2V (it's rated for 2.1V)

I'm using the P0H BIOS

---

don't forget you have to have 5-5-5-15-[b]42[b/] for it to work right my GEIL evo one (2x2gb) is rated for 2.3V it runs fine at 2.3V and 1066mhz 5-5-5-15-42.

all on other on stock volts.

you could always run them at 800mhz & check with mem test.

the divider ....1.2 will only give timings up to 6-6-6-18-26. with 4th only going up to 30.

1.266 will go higher. like 8 or 9.

42 for what value exactly?
"CAS Latency (CL): 5
TRCD: 5
TRP: 5
tRTP: 2-4 or 3-5
TRAS: 15
TRC: 31 "

Do you mean TRC can go upto 42 on this board? (26 can work for this kit on other am2 boards)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by demonkevy666

don't forget you have to have 5-5-5-15-[b]42[b/] for it to work right my GEIL evo one (2x2gb) is rated for 2.3V it runs fine at 2.3V and 1066mhz 5-5-5-15-42.

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Actually, I'm runnint it at 5-5-5-15-19

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by demonkevy666

all on other on stock volts.

you could always run them at 800mhz & check with mem test.

the divider ....1.2 will only give timings up to 6-6-6-18-26. with 4th only going up to 30.

1.266 will go higher. like 8 or 9.

---

I've got it at 1:2.66

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MGreg

42 for what value exactly?
"CAS Latency (CL): 5
TRCD: 5
TRP: 5
tRTP: 2-4 or 3-5
TRAS: 15
TRC: 31 "

Do you mean TRC can go upto 42 on this board? (26 can work for this kit on other am2 boards)

---

yes, Gskill is better then GEIL :/

I have Gskill ddr 800 that will run up at 1066.......the way I do it is leave all memory settings on auto set the fsb/memory ratio to 1:2.66 raise the memory voltage to 2.3v and off she goes......let me check what the system sets the timings to when its on auto...brb

ok the auto settings are 5,7,7,20,28,2T

Thanks for all the suggestions, much appreciated.

MGreg: I've had this board since Dec'07. I've had a few others as well and so far this is still the one I use in my main rig. ;)

IMHO, the best bios for the board is the 1.62 Beta. It fixes alot of problems including 1066 memory.

Here's a link (German):
http://www.msi-forum.de/thread.php?t...ca2bee8&page=1

If for some reason you can't DL it from there let me know and I'll find a way to get it to you. I'm pretty sure it will solve your problem...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Daveburt714

MGreg: I've had this board since Dec'07. I've had a few others as well and so far this is still the one I use in my main rig. ;)

IMHO, the best bios for the board is the 1.62 Beta. It fixes alot of problems including 1066 memory.

Here's a link (German):
http://www.msi-forum.de/thread.php?t...ca2bee8&page=1

If for some reason you can't DL it from there let me know and I'll find a way to get it to you. I'm pretty sure it will solve your problem...

---

Does that BIOS allow you to manually enable/disable the TLB fix?

Apokalipse: The short answer is "YES"....

I've been trying out 1.6B4 for the last few days (it includes TLB disable as well). I've been meaning to go back to 1.62 anyway so just to be sure I flashed back and the TLB option is there in the "Cell Menu"...

The OC options in the K9A2 Bios aren't as good as some of the other boards I've owned (GBT-DS5, GBT-S2H, Asus M3A78-T), but it always outperforms them when you get right down to it... :p:

I really like MSI's offerings, so much in fact that I'm going to order the DKA790GX next week... I'll keep you all posted. :D

I'm not a shill for anyone but from what I've seen it looks like MSI has put some real effort into that board, from the PWM section (DrMos) to the Bios OC options... I really hope this one lives up to my expectations. :cool:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Daveburt714

MGreg: I've had this board since Dec'07. I've had a few others as well and so far this is still the one I use in my main rig. ;)

IMHO, the best bios for the board is the 1.62 Beta. It fixes alot of problems including 1066 memory.

Here's a link (German):
http://www.msi-forum.de/thread.php?t...ca2bee8&page=1

If for some reason you can't DL it from there let me know and I'll find a way to get it to you. I'm pretty sure it will solve your problem...

---

Hi,

I picked up this board last week and have been playing with it. ;)

I can't download from that site. It says i have to register.

Could you send the 1.62 bios to me. :)

Thanks! :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ipeefreely

Hi,

I picked up this board last week and have been playing with it. ;)

I can't download from that site. It says i have to register.

Could you send the 1.62 bios to me. :)

Thanks! :D

---

*edit* see below

the BIOS I'm using right now is P0H

Beta K9A2 Platinum BIOS's:
A7376AMS.164
A7376AMS.162
A7376AMS.161
A7376AMS.155
A7376AMS.154
A7376AMS.153
A7376AMS.151
A7376AMS.141
A7376AMS.P0J
A7376AMS.P0H
A7376AMS.P0F
A7376AMS.P0D
A7376AMS.P0C
A7376AMS.13T
A7376AMS.133
A7376AMS.132
A7376AMS.131
A7376AMS.122
A7376AMS.121
A7376AMS.113
A7376AMS.112
A7376AMS.101

Non-Beta K9A2 Platinum BIOS's:
A7376AMS.150
A7376AMS.140
A7376AMS.130
A7376AMS.120
A7376AMS.110
A7376ACI.100

Sorry it took so long to get back..

Apokalipse:Thanks for posting those links.. ;)

Just curious, does "POH" still have the P-States options?
I never actually tried that one.

Great! :)

Thanks guys! :D

Hey guys,

Sort of a stupid question... how do you flash the BIOS with this board? :shrug: :confused:

I'm used to using the easy flash that's on ASUS boards.

I tried making a bootable floppy but then there wasn't enough room for the bios update and the bios utility. That Live BIOS update only grabs what's new from the MSI site. :down:

Little help! :)


Thanks,

jay

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Daveburt714

Sorry it took so long to get back..

Apokalipse:Thanks for posting those links.. ;)

Just curious, does "POH" still have the P-States options?
I never actually tried that one.

---

I had a look, and didn't see options for P-states anywhere

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ipeefreely

Hey guys,

Sort of a stupid question... how do you flash the BIOS with this board? :shrug: :confused:

I'm used to using the easy flash that's on ASUS boards.

I tried making a bootable floppy but then there wasn't enough room for the bios update and the bios utility. That Live BIOS update only grabs what's new from the MSI site. :down:

Little help! :)


Thanks,

jay

---

You can make a bootable USB drive

[QUOTE You can make a bootable USB drive[/QUOTE]

So I made a bootable USB drive but now i keep getting errors.:(

Modual checksums.... bad
Error: BIOS checksum error - when using 162

Error: Problem opening file for reading - when using POH

Any ideas?

This is what I type:

cd\A7376AMS <enter>
A:\A7376AMS>AFUD412 A7376AMS.POH

The AMI Firmware Update Utility opens but each time i get an error!?!:confused:


Any help greatly appreciated! :)

My DFI UT M2R popped its clogs.
So i got the Asus M3A32-MVP Deluxe & the MSI K9A2 Platinum.
The Asus M3A32-MVP Deluxe is going back.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ipeefreely

So I made a bootable USB drive but now i keep getting errors.:(

Modual checksums.... bad
Error: BIOS checksum error - when using 162

Error: Problem opening file for reading - when using POH

Any ideas?

This is what I type:

cd\A7376AMS <enter>
A:\A7376AMS>AFUD412 A7376AMS.POH

The AMI Firmware Update Utility opens but each time i get an error!?!:confused:


Any help greatly appreciated! :)

---

Ok make a bootable floppy from That Live BIOS update program & let it make the disk with the non beta latest bios even thou you don't want to use that bios.

Download the BIOS you want Rename the Bios file you want to AMIBOOT.ROM

Open the floppy & delete the AMIBOOT.ROM that is on the floppy & replace with the new one & your good to go.
It will say that the Rom is 1.5 while you flash but just ignore that & it will reboot & say the right rom when it posts.

ipeefreely: Final8ty's suggestion should definetly work!

A few things that should probably be mentioned is:

1) Go into Bios and load optimized defaults first, don't try to Flash while OC'd !!!.

2) If you flash from a USB Boot drive be sure to add the switches "/P /B /N /C". Example "AFUD412 A7376AMS.162 /p /b /n /c"

Apokalipse: I flashed your copy of the "POH" bios and it's actually running pretty well, my AOD profile from v.162 seems to be running as good as it did before. Even though I haven't seen any improvement it's still pretty impressive.. ;), and it plays well with AOD...

CLICKABLE:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...6_POH_9950.jpg

If there is a weak point for the K9A2, it seems to be the PWM section of the board... I've seen alot of folks who are running really high V's on the CPU/NB (1.5v+) with success.. I've had 4 Phenoms and none of them have been able to run stable at high voltages, so it may be a weakness of the Mobo itself...
Reguardless, it's still my favorite board so far! ;)

I ordered the MSI DKA790GX today, it's already shipped and should be here by Thursday. I'll start a new thread by the weekend and let you all know my experiences... ;)

I have been doing some Quad Prime95
And i have noticed that one or more of the 4 tasks fail instead of one more cores dropping to idle like it did on my DFI, on the MSI it just spreads the load across the cores or has something been updated in vista in the last 5 days to change that.

I cant get 3Ghz prime stable on this mobo like i could on the DFI.
I can only think that's because i cant set the NB voltage in the later bioses.
So now i have created 2 Bios disks as im using both Raid controllers & the OS is on the Promise & don't want to get locked out so one disk has the bios 1.3 that im using now & the other will be fore testing other version.

Thanks Daveburt714 and Final8ty, I'll give that a try this weekend.:toast2:


Another question... why would the voltage setting for the ram and cpu be greyed out in the BIOS?

I was trying to manually set the voltage for my ram (2.1v) but i can't. :brick:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ipeefreely

Thanks Daveburt714 and Final8ty, I'll give that a try this weekend.:toast2:


Another question... why would the voltage setting for the ram and cpu be greyed out in the BIOS?

I was trying to manually set the voltage for my ram (2.1v) but i can't. :brick:

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just hit the + and - it will change.

there manual states you can't change it. but you can.

u[date you bios though that will help more.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by demonkevy666

just hit the + and - it will change.

there manual states you can't change it. but you can.

u[date you bios though that will help more.

---

Thanks demonkevy666,:)

the manual is pretty mush useless!:down:

Well got 3Ghz stable so all is well. :)