Vista - OC problems. Please read and help if you can. :(

Well I've been upgrading my system. New mobo and processor. Got an AMD 3.0 6000+ to replace my 2.0 3800+. When trying to load Vista with the new processor, it crapped and I had to put my old processor back in. So then I got a diff mobo. Biostar TF8200 replacing my older nforce 4. Vista seems ok with that one now.

Problems problems problems from the begining. This mobo SUCKS. Or maybe it's VISTA that sucks.

The problem I'm facing now, is the memory and overclocking feature. I previously used the automated OC function on my old mobo, but now when I try to OC with this new mobo, Vista won't boot. XP does, but not vista. So I played with the ram. I have 4 sticks.
512mb x 2 1.9v ram (overclockable to 2.1)
and
512mb x 2 2.1v ram (standard)

Since my 1.9v ram supports 2.1v, I would normally set the automatic overclock utility to v-6 and it increased the voltage automatically to 2.1v.

When trying to OC, Vista didn't boot. So I tried default values. Vista no boot. Removed the 1.9v ram. No boot. Switched ram and removed the 2.1v modules. Booted. Tried just one set of ram and OC to 2.1v. No boot.

It seems Vista will ONLY boot if I use just the 2 512mb modules at 1.9 volts. Anything else, and vista poops. XP loads fine, but not vista. So I'm forced to sacrifice my 2 512 2.1v modules.

Question is, will Vista be this way with ALL 2.1v modules? Will I have to buy more memory at 1.9v or can I tweak, hack or configure something? I want my 2 gigs back. 1 gig sucks. And I can't afford to buy anything else just because Vista wants to be stupid.

well I use 2.1v memory right now with vista and they work fine.. personally I'd not recommend using 1.9v ram, and 2.1v ram at the same time.. that will, and is causing you some serious instability in your system. Personally I'd return the 2.1v stuff. or sell it on craigslist. and get more when you can. I'm also personally just buy a 2x1 kit of some ram.. $39.99 give or take 5 from newegg.com. as 2x1GB sticks would be better than running 4x512 sticks.. your PC will have to work less and throw less volts into 2 sticks than 4.. and the reason your having problems is because 2 need one voltage, and 2 need another. they can't get both.. so thats why it's messed up. Also when you put only the 2.1v in. did you actually change the settings to 2.1v also??

I'd recommend loosing ALL the ram and just getting a 2x1GB kit from newegg.com. and 35-39 dollars shouldn't be to hard to get.. if you need to sell your old stuff. Also last question. what size is your PSU.. could you fill in your system specs so we know what you have.. that info can help when asking these question.. k

It's not Vista that's the problem, It's your motherboard not handling the voltage with 4 sticks of ram.

and not handling 2 different voltage levels.. they need to be the same!

It's weird. I've used this memory before. But when I switched my mobo and processor everything changed. My 2.1v memory no longer works although this mobo is supposed to support it. Using the 1.9 and 2.1 together didnt' work. Using the 2.1v by themselves didn't work. Before the new mobo, everything worked fine. Even using the 1.9 and 2.1 together. Since the 1.9 ram would support 2.1v, I would manually set the overall voltage to 2.1. Brand is OCZ, so should be reliable. Think the mobo just doesn't like the brand? Mobo is a Biostar TF8200

BIOSTAR

It's not the mobo. My system is a dual boot. XP works fine with the 1.9. Fine with the 2.1. fine with the 1.9 and 2.1. And fine with the 1.9 and 2.1 running at a manual set for 2.1.

Psu is 600w so I should be ok there.

I also noticed, doing ANY kind of overclocking on this system, vista gives the blue screen. Overclock before boot, vista won't load. blue screen. trying overclocking while in vista and vista crashes. XP seems perfectly fine however.

It's never a good idea to overclock within an OS as you stand a fairly decent chance of corrupting the OS; always do it in the bios. Here's a good guide on how to clock Athlons: [retro] The Original Diy-street Amd64 Overclocking Guide - OverclockersClub Forums

Also certain ram just doesn't like certain Motherboards. maybe you should email Biostar.. or look up there recommended ram for that board and see if both your kits are on the list.

Yeah. It might be that this mobo just doesn't like these ram sticks. The thing that really boggles my mind tho, is that when I boot to xp, it works fine. It's just vista that won't load when I use those sticks. I'm gonna try ordering some ram soon. I'll give my old sticks to my girlfriend or my little cousin. Whoever can use them.