[solved] Sam440ep with serious stability issues

Ever since installing OS4.1 update #1 my Sam440ep has been so unstable that it's practically unusable (*). I've tried re-burning the update CD and reinstalling the OS a few times (always on an empty quick formatted partition). I even tried replacing the harddrive since after crashing a few times it sometimes complained about bad blocks while booting.

Just recently I decided to run memtester on it and it always reports errors in at least two of the tests (Flip Bits and whatever test that is before that) so it seems that it may be the memory that has been at fault all along. Just to make sure it still wasn't the harddrive that was at problem in the last few times I ran the test I had the SWAP partition disabled and booted from the update #1 CD.

Since it seems that it's the memory that's at problem, does anyone here know where I can get some replacement memory for the Sam440EP?

(*) Actually it was somewhat unstable before that but not nearly as much so I thought it was just down to the beta nature of OS4.1 for Sam440EP. Unfortunately I seem to have misplaced my original OS4.1 for SAM CD so I can't install it back or do any tests with it.

@salass00

I think the memory on the ep is soldered onto the board? Might be way lost here,but trying to remember stuff.

Memtester, i don't trust that program that well. On my SE i used that to check my mem when the machine was very unstable. Reported no errors, but switched memory with a friend and it got rock solid.

@Antique

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It's not soldered. It's in a standard memory slot type thing on the motherboard. IIRC the memory was even packaged separately when I got the SAM in the post so that I had to put it in there myself. FWIW I've tried removing it and fitting it back in in case it had come loose somehow but it didn't help any.

@salass00

Did you ask your reseller? Give him your Sam serial number.

@salass00

Have you tried cleaning the memory and socket on the board?

@salass00

Download Update 2

it fixes some issues.

If it does not help send your motherboard to Acube asap, before the warranty runs out.

@salass00

what case/psu are you using? and try what TiredOfLife suggested too.

@Framiga

Its so easy to bend some pins he has to extra careful doing stuff like that.

It should not be necessary to do any type clean up on hew hardware, if noting is burnt, there might be a problem whit soldering joint but lets not jump to conclusions, just yet.

At least until he has installed the latest bug fixes in update 2

@salass00

It does sound like a memory problem. HAven't got any friends wuth the same machine you can swap test memory with?

And you're right about the ram. Just checked.

@salass00

I agree with the last speaker (as they say). Contact ACube about it, they'll be helpful and quick. You'll only delay fixing it by talking here.

@Framiga

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It's a MODECOM FEEL 202 case with 96W PSU.

@LiveForIt

I installed update #2 as soon as it became available but it didn't do much for my SAM.

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Unless it has more than 1 year warranty then it has already ran out by now.

@TiredOfLife

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Neither the memory nor the socket looked particularly dirty last time I checked.

@tonyw

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I just sent a message to ACube using the contact form on their webpage.

@salass00

Exactly when your Sam start to run with problems ???

there are a thing done that cause the problem (extarnal, storm for example) or internal (bad program installed,......).

@salass00

I would check internal powercables/connectors. My SAM caused serious problems (especially in conjunction with DVD) because of a faulty, and later on loose powerconnection (From PSU to Harddrive/DVD + Mobo). I already replaced it twice !

Greetings gerograph

@salass00

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At the bottom of this page, it says:
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@Elwood

In that case the warranty should still be in force until 2011 .

BTW I got the backplate and VGA cable last week and have installed them now so while it's still very much unstable at least the display is perfect.

Got an e-mail from ACube. I have packed the motherboard and RAM now and I will post them tomorrow.

@salass00

Great !

I personnaly think that you should have changed you memory module.

I experienced the same troubles with my AmigaOne and thought it was dying for good.

I ran memtester and encountered a lot of errors. I so bought a new memory module and I did not get any more crash or freeze since its installation. It is rock stable now