8RDA+ and C1 Post Code Error

[alpha22555]

Very concerned I have an Epox 8RDA+ was running with mushkin memory but having some stability problems. Today I purchased 2 sticks of Corsair xms 3500 256meg each. I have cleared the bios a few times I have removed the memory and reseated. With no success im getting a C1 error I noticed someone else earlier having this issue and from the looks of it he has had no success bringing system up. Any other Ideas TKS

[TrevorS]

Hi, alpha

Have you taken the board completely out of the case and disconnected everything except for the CPU, HSF, one DIMM, power cable, and power push button? To do this, the board should have an insulating pad under it. If it still fails to get past "C1" and you have closely inspected the memory (viewing from side works best) and cpu/HSF installation to verify they are fully inserted and perfectly installed, then perhaps you can try the board with a different power supply and even a different cpu to try to identify the problem.

On the other hand, if the board still works when you reinstall the old memory installed -- even if unstable, then perhaps the supply is just overloaded. What manufacturer and power rating is it?

Trevor

[alpha22555]

Okay now im freaking out I stuck on stick of the Old mushkin in and I can't even post I still have the C1 Error as far as my power supply I have a 350 watt Enermax whisper. right now im trying to post the system with one stick of memory an xp2200 cpu radeon 9700 video and a 120Gig Western Digital everything else unplugged have cleared Cmos numerous times with no post. God I hope I did not fry the board right now it's in a Lian Li PC 60 Mid tower and im going to hate if I have to pull the thing out but if thats what it takes I will yank the thing out

[Jasonx5213]

alpha22555,

I had the exact same problem with the Corsair PC3500C2 memory....

yes try to pull out the motherboard and place on nonconductive pad and i.e. the foam pad that came with the board...Only plug the video, cpu, memory....of coarse the keyboard and mouse....Your powersupply could be your problem also...(disconnect all fans from motherboard and only connect them directly to the p.s.) Make sure you have a good connection on the atx connector to the motherboard.... If you have another p.s definately try this, cause they can cause a post problem.....I ended up having to mod the 5v line to get a solid overclock...

I did go through all this and no luck, but your problem sounds a bit different......I wasn't ever able to get past the C1 post error.....so go through the steps very carefully and take your time! don't make any mistakes...this make for a very large headache....


I bought the memory from Newegg.com right after thanksgiving...I was going to RMA my memory back to Corsair themselves, but I decided to go ahead and RMA the two sticks back to Newegg after talking to a newegg.com tech...I told via phone call what the problem was I was having.."I could use Crucial memory and post fine, and take the corsair ram and it would post fine in another board" so that being said....I told them that I wanted to exchange the corsair for the exact same memory sticks (256mb PC3500C2, 3502v1.1), but to test them before shipping them to me and verifying that they do work in the 8RDA+....
About a week later I receive the two new memory sticks and wouldn't you know it they work perfect......

So it is kind of odd, but I believe that Corsair could have shipped some untested memory modules or changed their test program and let some poor quality memory get shipped, or even just a change in the SPD settings that are programed into the sticks....but what ever the problem with this memory and Nforce2 chipset( the 8RDA+ is not the only MB that has had problems with this memory) the new sticks of memory I did get work perfect..

I would actually get a RMA number from Corsair themselves and send it directly to them and that would get you a perfect working set of memory modules.....

there is someone on this forum that lives with in minutes from Corsair and has actually taken his memory to them and they set it up for his MB.....and is getting very good FSB clocks with it.....


I dont' think there is anything wrong with your mother board or anything else...If it was working before and just changed ram ????

You can try posting with another stick of memory and go into the bios and change the spd timings of the memory to 3, 7,3,3, optimal cpu interface....maybe play with these settings and the vdimm also....

Also what bios do you have?
Make sure you have at least the C10 version bios....I know this works....

Hope this will get you up and going a little more painless and faster.!!!!

[bah]

i went for 3 days with same prob when i bought my 8k3a+ and i had a enermax 450 i went and bought a alpha 350 powersupply and it booted 1st shot try a diffrent powersupply eliminate that as a possible problem first by using apowersupply from another computer.

[alpha22555]

Thanks for the post Jason I appreciate the information but right now I cannot even post with the old memory eveytime I get a C1 error. I also have the C10 bios as you have stated so if anyone else has seen this problem or anymore suggestions I will try them the only thing I have not done is rip the board out of the case

[alpha22555]

Thanks Bah when I have the time to rip my system out I will try another power supply LOL im sure the wife will be pissed because here system will then be going dwn but it's a double edged sword when you try new things and new hardware you kind of expect things not to go smooth

[TrevorS]

Hi, alpha

Yes, get the board down to the absolute minimum configuration outside the case. No disc drive, video or anything else more than the CPU/HSF, memory, power cable, and power push button. If testing, reseating, AND close inpection (from side views) doesn't solve the "C1" there, it's time to try swapping components, including power supply.

Best of luck! -- Trevor

[Mickhep]

Hi
I just got the exact board and memory yesterday.
Same thing for me 2, C1 post error,I read somewhere about that you had to clear the cmos,which I did and it worked for me.Just remeber to unplug your power lead first.Leave the pins connected for about 20 secs..
Hope it works for you too..

[bah]

Originally posted by alpha22555
Thanks Bah when I have the time to rip my system out I will try another power supply LOL im sure the wife will be pissed because here system will then be going dwn but it's a double edged sword when you try new things and new hardware you kind of expect things not to go smooth

LOL the power cable is long in most cases i just tip the case and stretch the power cable over to the mobo since your not connecting a harddrive and floppy and such that'l do just for the sake of argument. if it dont post when you hit the power button just plug it back in to the little ladies mobo and noone is the wiser .

and itll save yea a slap upside the head

[alpha22555]

LOL as of right now I have the board out and still no success I still have a nice big FAT C1 so im taking this guy dwn and going to try the power supply if this does not work I think im screwed Im only 20 minutes from La Habra were Epox is but I don't think there going to let me RMA and me physically dropping off the board and getting a new one :-( oh well I will hope for the best and count on a different power supply we will see I will keep you guys updated and all tks for the help

[alpha22555]

Well I have finally found the answer to it all. It's not a good answer but sometimes we don't like the answers that we find. The second power supply did not work but getting a closer look at the mother board Dimm slot 1 has physical damage. using a strong Flashlight I see that one of the Pins inside the memory slot is bent and damaged with the size that it is there is no way I myself can repair it. I stuck the memory sticks in Slot 2 and 3 and with no problem what so ever. Very dissapointed becuase some how I know I caused the damage. I have worked on over 300 motherboards in 7 years time and this is the first one I ever damaged. Mentally I could classify it as getting kicked between the legs. The downer is and someone please confirm this that one 64 bit controller controls runs dimm slot 1 and a second 64 bit controller runs slot 2 and 3 meaning I can post the board and I can run it but then im not utilizing 128bit what the board is capable. And again please someone confirm that. Im sure is heck not going to RMA the motherboard because I know that damage was not there before and doing so would be unethical and it's something that I won't do. the boad is not expensive but I know how hard it is to get this board they sell like hot cakes so if someone can confirm weather or not im correct on not being able to take advantage of 128 bit control because slot 1 is damged I would appreciate it. And to all that have helped me troubleshooot thank you

[Jasonx5213]

Yes, unfortently that is true,,,,

the far right slot "farthest from the cpu" is slot one and the other two are two and three....

In order to use the dual memory controller you need to place memory in slot 1 and then in either slot 2 or 3..........

Sorrry to here that...

[TrevorS]

Hi, alpha

Sorry to hear about the damage, but at least you identified the problem. Should have suggested trying the other slots, but it didn't occur to me.

I managed to damage my brand new 8K5A2 during install without realizing it. Seems I caught the front edge on a hidden HDD heat sink and ripped off three of those tiny surface mount resistors near the DIMMS. I didn't discover the source of my killer 'C1' until I was about to RMA it - number in hand. It took a lot of time (especially with my crummy vision), but I was luckily able to patch it back together again. You have my sympathy!

Best -- Trevor