Asus Maximus Extreme - DET DRAM error

[JungleJme]

Hi guys, i've just finished my first ever build, i'm a bit of a beginner and am having an issue. My poster returns the error "DET DRAM" when shutting down on a restart. It's odd, if i perform a full shutdown and power back-up it boots into windows without a hitch. However, when i perform a restart It black screens and stalls with the "DET DRAM" error displayed on the poster. I have to do a power override to shutdown and reboot.

On reboot the message "Overclocking failed" appears and i have to strike F2 to restore settings and get into Vista, even though i haven't attempted an overclock!

Vista detects my 4gb of RAM when it finally does boot. I have tried switching the RAM between slots, and running with one stick and the same issue occurs.

Before going to the trouble of sending the RAM back, or heaven forbid the mobo!, i was wondering if anyone else has encountered this issue. As i can actually boot into Windows are there any apps i can use to identify or fix the issue?

The next thing i thought to do was update the BIOS and the Asus website appears to have an update that could be of use. But i have a question, do i just download the latest version or the version with a description that mentions memory issues? So Bios v.1202 is the latest but v.0904 specifically mentions memory compatibility.

Any help would be appreciated and how i could go about fixing this issue.

Thanks

Intel QU660 2.4ghz
Asus Maximus Extreme
OCZ 2 x 2GB PC3-10666 Intel Extreme Edition
Vista 64-bit Home Premium
Sapphire Radeon 4870 1GB
2x WD 320GB HD

 

[Dalo Harkin]

Use the ASUS update facility that comes on the MOBO disk - it can update the BIOS from a windows environment and is much easier than the 'oldskool' method.
Get the very latest update not just the one that mentions the RAM.

DET DRAM is assocaited to the fact that there is 4GB of RAM - the BIOS update should fix it.
If not then you need to run memtest - did you set the Overclock on the MOBO or does the MOBO do it for you?
as you may need to up the Voltages and the timings.

Do the BIOS update first and then we will see if it needs additional tweaking

READ the instructions on the BIOS update -

 

[JungleJme]

Bios

thanks for confirmation, i'll update the Bios and hopefully that'll sort it. I'll let you know how i get on!

Cheers

 

[starams5]

Please use one of these methods to update the bios.

Method# 1
EZ-Flash with USB Stick:
Format to FAT or FAT32

1. Make USB stick bootable (only if hidden MSDOS files are not present on USB stick) with the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool, you will also need MS_DOS System Files, you can download both here:
HP_USB_Disk_Storage_Format_Tool_2.18.rar - FileFactory

2. Copy the update ROM to the USB stick

3. Reboot into the bios and restore setup defaults. If you are running 4Gb of ram it would probably be a good idea to reduce ram to 1 or 2Gb. After flash, setup will restore DRAM voltage to default 1.8v which may not be able to power multiple sticks depending on what type of ram you have.

4. Enter BIOS setup program. Go to the Tools menu to select EZ Flash 2 and press <Enter> to enable it. You can switch between drives by pressing <Tab> before the correct file is found. Then press <Enter>.

5. DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent system boot failure! When the correct BIOS file is found, EZ Flash 2 performs the BIOS update process and automatically reboots the system when done.

6. Now shut down the computer (PSU switch) and unplug it. Pull the battery and discharge the motherboard by holding in power button while touching chasis for approx 30 sec.

7. Re-install battery and post. Now set your mem voltage (mandatory) & timing (opptional) in bios to manufactures specs.

8. Shut the computer back down and add your remaining mem sticks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Method# 2
AWARD BIOS Utility:
Format to FAT or FAT32

1. Make bootable floppy. You can do this in the formatting window or download DRD Flash which I use.
drdflash

2. After making bootable floppy, copy ROM & Awdflash to disk.

3. Reboot into the bios and make sure removable drive is 1st, not CD or HDD. Also restore setup defaults. If you are running 4Gb of ram it would probably be a good idea to reduce ram to 1 or 2Gb. After flash, setup will restore DRAM voltage to default 1.8v which may not be able to power multiple sticks depending on what type of ram you have.

4. Reboot to floopy and when you get the A:\ prompt, type Awdflash.exe or Awdflash, whichever works. Inside the Award tool just follow the instructions, you will have to enter the correct path to the ROM as well.

5. After flashing let it do a full reboot. Now shut down the computer (PSU switch) and unplug it. Pull the battery and discharge the motherboard by holding in power button while touching chasis for approx 30 sec.

6. Re-install battery and post. Now set your mem voltage (mandatory) & timing (opptional) in bios to manufactures specs.

7. Shut the computer back down and add your remaining mem sticks.