New C90 can't even boot into windows half the time.

I just got my new C90 today from Gentech and I'm having nothing but problems with it so far.

I ordered mine with 3GB ram (1x1GB & 1x2GB) and when I hooked everything up and installed Vista I had zero problems. However, I took it to work with me tonight and since then it's been freezing up on me. Either it would display a blank screen and not boot at all, freeze during the scrolling bar while trying to boot windows, or shortly after logging into windows.

I've tried with just the 2GB stick, and then just the 1GB. I get about a 1in10 shot of booting at all with just the 2GB stick. If it does boot it will usually freeze eventually, but a few times it was fine until I had to restart.

The 1GB stick is a little better but still doesn't work correctly. Usually this stick causes a BSOD right at the end of the Windows scrolling bar and then restarts. It will do this upwards of 6 times before finally making it into Windows.

Keep in mind this is ALL on AC power and I haven't even been able to try playing a game (HAH!) or use the battery for any amount of time.

I ordered everything from Gentech including the ram. My C90 shipped with the 601 bios but I've also tried the 704 Ken posted to no avail.

The ram is:

1x2GB: "Super Talent" T667SB2G/M
1x1GB Elpida

Also, this post is in no way trying to bash anyone. Gentech shipped this unit out within a few days and I had no problems talking to them. I'll be calling them on Monday, I'm just looking to see if anyone has had such a faulty unit as me or if someone can recommend anything I can do for the time being.

Thanks

 

Also, regardless of which stick of ram is installed, I will get a message saying "failed to overclock. Press F2 to enter setup or F1 to continue and load default values" right before the Asus logo shows up.

This doesn't happen all the time, but it happens I'd say about half the time.

 

That's a strange message. What processor are you using?

 

E6700..

Here's the full specs:

C90S Asus C90S 15.4" WSXGA+/GeForce 8600M GT 512M MXM II/Bluetooth/FingerPrint/Webcam

Installation: No Installation, Ship as parts
Carrying Case: Included
Warranty: 1 Year Warranty with CPU purchase
RAM: 3GB DDR-2 667 SODIMM (1X1G+1X2GB)
HD: Seagate Momentus 100GB 7200rpm S-ATA
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit DVD
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo Conroe E6700 2.66 GHz 1066FSB 4M
Heatsink, Fan, Thermal Paste: Included
WiFi: None
AC Adapter: One AC Adapter Included
SATA HD Enclosure: None
Webcam: Built-in 2.0 MP Webcam
Bluetooth: Built-in Bluetooth™ V2.0+EDR
Optical Drive: 8 x DVD-RW Dual Layer Super Multi
GPU: Upgradable GeForce 8600 GT 512MB MXM 2.0
Screen: 15.4" WSXGA+ 1680X1050 Glossy
Availability: In Stock
Fingerprint Reader: Built-in
Platform: Desktop Replacement Notebook

 

Did you install the CPU?

You said everything was fine before you took it to work, did you install anything at work?

 

Thanks for the help guys!

Pat,

No, everything was exactly the way I left it when I shut it down after Vista and the Asus drivers finished installing. I did not install any additional components or touch any of the hardware until the lockups happened.

Here's an update on the ram... I pulled the 1x2GB stick of "Super Talent" ram and replaced it with a 1x512MB Samsung stick and guess what?!? It boots up just fine so far. I'm now running the 1x1GB stick of Elpida ram and the 1x512MB stick of Samsung ram for 1.5GBs total. Half of what I ordered : /

I think the "Super Talent" ram GenTech shipped me is the cause of the problem. However, I'm not sure because my performance overall seems VERY slow for a computer of these specs.

I'm installing Half Life 2 as we speak. I'll report back as soon as I do a few more tests. If anyone else has more input please feel free to chime in.

Thanks

PS: I tested the 1x2GB ram with the 5xx, 6xx, and 7xx bios all with no luck.

 

Another update:

I tried the "Super Talent" ram in another laptop that uses the exact same spec ram and is confirmed to work with 4GB total memory without any luck. That's two laptops that won't accept it.

I wonder why GenTech shipped me this really cheap ram instead of Nanya or another stick of the Elpida ram even? I'm just bummed out because it takes 5 days for shipping to reach me and I went with GenTech over everyone else because it looked like they had tested and found compatible ram.

However, I don't really understand why I was given "Super Talent" ram which I haven't heard of being compatible from anyone, including GenTech. :/

 

wow confirmed bad ram. anyways, good to know no more crashes. Make sure you test battery mode.

 

That is odd, especially coming from Gentech. I'd get in touch with Ken and tell him about it. He's a great guy so I am sure that you guys will be able to work something out.

 

Keep in mind if you have a bad boot or a crash due to bad ram (usually the 2gb sticks) then remove it and put a good stick in. You may get a few crashes/reboots before everything runs correctly because windows didnt shut down correctly.

I dont know how to explane it but I noticed it. If I crashed and had to manually reboot instead of going right back into windows when I put the good ram in. It would restart a few times on me before getting back on its feet.

 

Yea, I've never even heard of Super Talent. I've got the same specs as you except I've got WiFi and an E6600. I order everything seperate except the wifi, blutooth, and the RAM. GenTech sent me a 1 GB Nanya stick and a 2GB Kingston stick, both work perfectly for me so far. Knock on wood though right?

It's just like Vicious says, mine does the same thing. Vista Ultimate X64 on my end. But when mine crashes, and I tweak something or just do nothing and reboot, it restarts a couple times.

 

Super Talent, Kingston and Crucial 2GB RAM all uses Micron IC.
We tried Crucial but it didn't work, Kingston and Super Talent is the only two brand of 2GB sticks that work with C90S.

We are temporary out of Kingston 2GB RAM so we use Super Talent on the new batch, it has been tested and it's compatible with C90S.

There is no Elpida or Nanya with 2GB stick, they are not exist.
It must be just a bad RAM, send it back to us for replacement.

 

Ken,

Thanks for responding. I'll be giving you a call tomorrow to exchange the ram and also purchase a wifi card that I need. So far, with 1.5GB, everything has been up and running now without any hickups except for Turbo Gear.

One thing that bothers me though is the very sluggish overall performance of the C90 as of right now. Overall, it seems to be moving slower then the P4 3Ghz notebook it replaced. I've updated Windows, defraged, updated the bios, but yet it still seems to move much slower. My old system was running Windows XP with 1 Gig ram. This ones on Vista X64 with 1.5GB. Is the ram what's making everything seem SO slow??

Thanks

 

OK, had a chance to play around with battery mode and test out Bioshock.

Trying to boot on battery mode for the first time caused a lock up, however after this initial lockup I've been able to use battery mode and restart without a problem. I agree with Vicious on Vista having the need to "get back on it's feet". Sure seems that way to me as well. For now, everything seems OK in battery mode.

I updated the graphics drivers to 163.44 and Bioshock is running very nicely with settings maxed. A quick Video Stress Test with CSS netted an average of 93FPS with settings maxed on 1680x1050 and no AA turned on.

However, I can't make Turbo Gear work with "gaming mode". I've got it to work in battery mode, but no luck with gaming mode. Any suggestions? Keep in mind I'm running the E6700 2.66Ghz processor. I thought I was able to use gaming mode, just not overclocking mode?

Thanks again and I'll keep this thread updated when I receive my exchange ram from GenTech!

 

I doubt it, I'm on vista with a Sempron64 3100 and 1.5GB of RAM and everything is fine.

 

Performance seems to have picked up now. However, I still don't think it's running at the level it should be considering the specs. I'll post back when I receive the new ram from GenTech.

 

Vista also automatically puts CPU (even desktop) on power saving mode and it will restore the multiplier if needed.

That might be a cause

 

JCMS,

Thanks for the tip. I adjusted my power settings to max performance unless I'm running battery power. Those are the only settings I need to adjust that would have to do with what you are referring to, correct?

 

Ken,

I tried calling multiple times this morning but could not get a hold of anyone. I sent you an e-mail with my cell phone number, order number, and customer id number. The e-mail address I used was "[email protected]". Please call as soon as you can.

Thanks.

 

I think so, I still haven't mess on vista with a laptop, but it looks like that on XP

 

Update:

Ken from Gentech called me at 1:00PM (eastern time) yesterday and was extremely helpful. We talked for a little while and he said he would send out a replacement stick of ram he had already tested to me via overnight mail. I had it by 10AM this morning! That's excellent customer service in my opinion!

Everything I heard about Ken was true, he is a very nice, helpful, and honest person to deal with. I'm glad I choose GenTech and I'm now happily posting with 3GB ram and no BSODs! Vista is running super smooth as well.

Ken, I sent you an e-mail with the tracking number for the original Super Talent ram I received. You should have it by Monday according to UPS.

Thanks for all the help Ken and everyone else.

-Very happy new C90S owner.

 

Did you get another super talent?

 

Yes, it's another 2GB Super Talent SO-DIMM. I popped this one in and it booted up without a single problem and also works on battery mode. I must of just got a faulty one before.