> Actually, the high speed digital testers employed by the memory > manufacturers FULLY test memory modules over their rated speed > and voltage ranges. Usually any problems that occur after the > module leaves the factory are due to handling, installation or > motherboard related issues (timing, voltage, noise, etc.) Memory > chips themselves are 100% parametrically tested after they are > packaged since the manufacturer is in the business of selling > specified, functional chips.
Yes, but that's not the same as when they are on the motherboard. All kinds of variables come into play: the memory chip timing, the front-side bus (chipset) timing margins, how well the impedances are matched and terminated, the supply voltage stability, how well the memory bus is shielded from interference from other sources, etc. Cheap PC motherboards have been known to exhibit problems before. I seem to recall some years ago during the tantalum and ceramic capacitor shortage that some cheap motherboards cut down on the recommended bypass caps. The result is that the PC would work for about 3-6 months and then start flaking out, as the caps dried out. Then there were the reports of some Cyrix-based motherboards burning a hole in the PCB because of inadequate cooling at high clock speeds. Your (original poster) problem may not be memory. But I thought it might be a possibility. As a hardware designer, I have to debug my own and other's designs. It's like a Sherlock Holmes mystery to be solved sometimes. "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however unlikely, must be the culprit" (paraphrased). I have always been able to find the causes of problems using this philosophy. Well, causes of electronics problems anyway. The world's problems still elude me ;-) Best regards, Ivan Baggett Bagotronix Inc. website: www.bagotronix.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
