If I remember correctly the motherboard comes with 3 memory slots. The bottom slot can be used to connect a riser to use sdram memory.

If the riser is not present, a special module must be connected in that module and it is not a regular RDRAM continuity module.

Maybe that is your case?

Hello there!
Thank you for replying.

You remember correctly. The board comes with 3 RIMM memory slots. RIMM modules have to be installed in pairs, otherwise, if you only install 1 module, you must insert the "continuity module" in one of the slots.

Currently, I have installed a 128MB module in the first memory slot (the one closer to the CPU), the second slot is empty and the third slot is filled with the "continuity module" (I am not sure I am able to upload an image in this forum, I´ll try it later).
Do you believe the problem is related to RAM configuration? In the display mentioned above the RAM test is passed.

Once again, thank you.

Rambus is a daisy-chained through RIMM modules , One goes out from group of contacts then through again daisy-chained through set of chips or just traces on CRIMM then out through another sets of contacts on each RIMM. The RIMM slots has to be filled completely to complete the loop circuit to complete the circuit thorugh RIMM slots with filled modules of any memory or continuity modules from chipset and back to chipset.

So you need either another same speed RIMM module as installed memory RIMM or another continuity RIMM to fill one of empty slot.

Rambus does not care about number of slots or three or could be 5 slots, even 1 slot RIMM (heh) etc.

Cheers, Pentiumspeed.

In a single processor system you should have a processor terminator card in the CPU2 slot - do you have one?

If you only have single RDRAM RIMM module this should be in slot 0 (nearest the processor slots), a CRIMM (or an equivalent RDRAM RIMM in size / speed to what's in slot 0) in slot 1 and a CTRIMM in slot 2.

Also, No Hardware Monitoring is classed as a system board problem - maybe inspect closely for damage / component failure - are you getting any beep codes along with the message?

That what I wanted to point out.

As pointed by PC Hoarder Patrol you need CRIMM p# D8660-63001 (maybe CRIMM's are standard and you can use any "brand") and a terminitaror module (P# 5065-1281) at least to make the memory configuration correct.

In the following link you can find more part numbers to ease your search:

https://web.archive.org/web/20040219220400/ht … 15/lpv06815.pdf

Thank you very much kwyjibo, pentiumspeed and PC Hoarder Patrol for your feedback!. 😀

You all suspect the issue has to do with RAM configuration. Although I don´t get any beeps (naturally, no beepers/pc speakers present) and the self-test message in the display is ambiguous, I am thinking you are right:

Motherboard + display:

The only RIMM module is inserted in Slot 0, Slot 1 is empty and Continuity module is placed in Slot 2:

Continuity module:

As seen in this picture, the second CPU slot has got its terminator in place:

There are also some dip switches that I won´t touch until I take a look at the motherboard manual (in case I find it) properly:

The "box" with the display and power+reset button:

CPU slots:

As you can see, there are no bulging capacitors and the board looks well taken care in general.

I will try moving the continuity module next to RAM slot 0, where the only RIMM module is installed, and let you know the results.

Once again, thank you all very much! 😀

You can also check the Asus manual for the board:

https://www.rom.by/files/ASUS_P3C-D.pdf

In the RIMM possible configurations you can see:

1          RIMM0    RIMM1      RIMM2
21 RDRAM   RIMM     CTRIMM    C-RIMM
32 RDRAM   RIMM     RIMM      CTRIMM

Wow, thank you kwyjibo ! this manual will be most helpful!

Which confuses me a bit is the distinction between the "RDRAM Continuity Module" and the "RDRAM Terminator Module" mentioned in the image below. It seems those are two different things/pieces

Ok, according to this image you shared above:

it means since I don´t own another RIMM memory module right now, if I moved the "RDRAM Continuity Module" next to the RIMM slot, the third slot (slot 2) would remain empty and still be needing the "RDRAM Terminator Module" (which I don´t own) to be inserted for the system to boot. 😢

Anyway, I think it won´t be difficult to acquire another RIMM module to place in memory slot 1 and leave the "RDRAM Continuity Module" for slot 3 (as also suggested in the chart above). Or am I misinterpreting the chart and I would still need the mentioned "RDRAM Terminator Module" forcefully?

According to the manuals, yes, you need the terminator module.

I have the same computer and indeed that configuration works.

Hello kwyjibo again.

I managed to buy a couple 800mhz RIMM memory modules and a pair of RDRAM Continuity Modules (just in case). Nevertheless I must confess it is not being easy to find the required "RDRAM Terminator Module".

Do you think it could be possible someday you uploaded a picture of your system (a zoom-in one to the Ram slots)? Maybe there´s an id or serial number so I can try to find it on eBay.

Thank you very much in advance!

As stated before, HP part number for the terminator module is 5065-1281.

Correct, it was already stated above. I can see a couple at eBay right now, not only scarce but expensive...

I have some Kayak XA’s and XU’s.

If you get the “Happy face” that is a good sign.
Kind of like a Mac boot screen “Happy face”.

Hello and thanks!
I do get the "happy face". Unfortunately I´ve been having difficulties finding a "RDRAM Terminator Module", specially at a reasonable price.
I´m also a bit confused if the "RDRAM Terminator Module" and the "RDRAM Continuity Module" are actually different devices or if the difference is just in the role they play depending on the slot they are placed, so to speak.

According to a web images search, this is a "RDRAM Terminator Module":
https://ibb.co/7KXs4cN

And this is a "RDRAM Continuity Module", which I actually have a couple:
https://ibb.co/YpFwgw3

I suspect the former is the case, since I´ve tried with 2 different "RDRAM Continuity Module" I do own, and no luck.
Are you able to clarify this particular subjetc? Thank you very much in advance!

I am afraid they are different hardware devices 🙁

kwyjibo wrote:

I am afraid they are different hardware devices 🙁

Yes...it seems so, I find it frustrating because I´ve seen RIMM based systems that do not need this particular RDRAM Terminator Module, they are happy with just the Continuity modules.
Thank you!

Ok, I managed to acquire the (in)famous RDRAM Terminator Module for this system on eBay.

Now I get all happy faces (RAM, CPU, etc) through diagnosis, but one, stating "PCI FAN". What the heck!?

I´m out of patience with this board, if somebody wants it I am willing to donate it.

Sometimes we have to pay lot to get hard to get parts and this is one of these case you have to accept that and get terminator RIMM.

Cheers,

One of the 3 pin fan headers on the board is designated for the 'PCI Area' - most probably it's either not connected or not in spec.