What are the markings on the RAM? Post a picture of the area near the CPU, let's have a look at the capacitors.

Try the manual - https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/dfi-ca64-tc

Intel486dx33 wrote on 2023-09-21, 01:57:

But I am not sure if it has installed the correct memory type ?
The RAM Stick does not have any markings as to what speed or type it is ?

any working PC133 SDRAM.

694T chipset, it will accept any pc133 sdram
if you think your ram cause problem, run memtest86+ from the floppy disk.
if you are crashing, check if the capacitor on the board are the type that on the badcaps list (any brand that not sanyo, rubycon, nichicon, panasonic), they can go bad without budge.
better replace the capacitor on the cpu vrm area.

..wow... what a menagerie of different branded caps... =)

Intel486dx33 wrote on 2023-09-21, 01:57:

I purchased it used and it came with CPU and RAM.
...
The RAM Stick does not have any markings as to what speed or type it is ?

1) You may use CPU-Z to determine RAM type (PC66/PC100/PC133) and CL (CL2/CL3). Since SDRAM every module has a SPD ROM which contains informations about timing parameters.
2) Why don't we have picture of that RAM module?
3) Have you tested that RAM module & motherboard with MemTest86+ yet?

Here are 2 useful links:
https://www.vogonswiki.com/index.php/List_of_ … 70_motherboards
Fastest Tualatin Chipset / Best Pentium III Motherboard

If you upload a picture of a single chip on that RAM stick, we'll be able to tell what it is (unless it's completely unmarked).

smtkr wrote on 2023-09-22, 01:56:

If you upload a picture of a single chip on that RAM stick, we'll be able to tell what it is (unless it's completely unmarked).

For what?
If there is a photo of the chipset.
It's Via, which means it's less efficient than BX and therefore puts less pressure on the memory controller.
You don't need a pretentious memory, you just need a working one.
This is the 694T chipset, the last one for SDRAM.
This means it works with any SDRAM from 32MB to 512MB with one stick.

It would be glamorous to have 3 identical sticks of registered ECC SDRAM memory of 512 MB each PC166 CL2, from servers of IBM/HP/SUN/NASA - brended by Micron/Infineon/Hunix (if such a thing even exists) 😀

Disruptor wrote on 2023-09-21, 05:06:

Since SDRAM every module has a SPD ROM which contains informations about timing parameters.

For VIA and SIS chipsets this is most often not necessary.
Only highly branded motherboards for SDRAM, like Intel, required SPD to work.

Got the feeling this is another troll post from a repeat offender: take pics of a system with a chipset which is - hands down, and famously so - the least choosy about memory used, supporting every kind of PC133 including non-standard x4 chips, VC-SDRAM and ESDRAM, with ECC or without, and on a board that supports registered or not, and then claiming ignorance about what RAM it might use.

Memory type and Motherboard capacitors look okay.
Memory is a single stick of SDRAM 133, 256mb
Not sure what brand the Capacitor are but they look green and gold color.
Maybe Sanyo ?

I am not sure about the jumper and frequency switch setting ?

Intel486dx33 wrote on 2023-09-22, 13:05:

Not sure what brand the Capacitor are but they look green and gold color.
Maybe Sanyo ?

@PC Hoarder Patrol provided an excellent link with a couple of photos.
https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/dfi-ca64-tc
On one there is an untouched motherboard, and on the second half of the capacitors have been replaced with polymer CAPXONs.
So it’s highly unlikely that this is Sanyo.

Intel486dx33 wrote on 2023-09-22, 13:05:

I am not sure about the jumper and frequency switch setting ?

This is a Tualatin-ready motherboard, so everything is auto.
If there is instability, then set the bus frequency to 100 MHz and test again.

Again, what prevents you from reading the manual at the same link and updating the BIOS.
https://theretroweb.com/motherboard/manual/49 … 21881940900.pdf

Thanks, I could not consult the manual because I did not know the model of this motherboard.

Intel486dx33 wrote on 2023-09-22, 13:05:

Memory is a single stick of SDRAM 133, 256mb

Your memory module is a PC133 CL3.

That stick of RAM in question seems to have a broken (now missing) component, which probably doesn't help matters...

AmiSapphire wrote on 2023-09-22, 15:26:

That stick of RAM in question seems to have a broken (now missing) component, which probably doesn't help matters...

Good catch. I did not notice the broken diode.
I will try another memory stick.

This is STRANGE.
The computer was working fine before the Hard drive died.
I put in an SSD and Maybe the computer does not work well with the SSD and Adapter I selected.
Also turned out the motherboard switches/jumpers were set wrong. I fixed this problem.

Now the problem is:
It’s installing Win98 fine but then I get this “Windows Protection error” on reboot.
What does this mean ?

shevalier wrote on 2023-09-22, 13:43:

Again, what prevents you from reading the manual at the same link and updating the BIOS.
https://theretroweb.com/motherboard/manual/49 … 21881940900.pdf

I don't think I'd dare updating a BIOS on an unstable board to be honest ...?

Intel486dx33 wrote on 2023-09-22, 16:03:

Good catch. I did not notice the broken diode. I will try another memory stick. […]
Show full quote

AmiSapphire wrote on 2023-09-22, 15:26:

That stick of RAM in question seems to have a broken (now missing) component, which probably doesn't help matters...

Good catch. I did not notice the broken diode.
I will try another memory stick.

This is STRANGE.
The computer was working fine before the Hard drive died.
I put in an SSD and Maybe the computer does not work well with the SSD and Adapter I selected.
Also turned out the motherboard switches/jumpers were set wrong. I fixed this problem.

Now the problem is:
It’s installing Win98 fine but then I get this “Windows Protection error” on reboot.
What does this mean ?

Did you try memtest86 as suggested? It might even be something else than the actual RAM failing?

Okay,
I replaced the memory stick with a New one.

So the current problem is this Microsoft error
“Windows Protection error”

Windows 98 installs fine then on reboot I get this error.

I think I will try a Standard Hard drive and see what happens. Maybe the computer does not like the SSD and adapter I selected.

H3nrik V! wrote on 2023-09-22, 16:25:

I don't think I'd dare updating a BIOS on an unstable board to be honest ...?

From my experience, if the board does not reboot into the BIOS Setup and loads DOS normaly, then it will flash the BIOS without problems.
On some of my boards, I first updated the BIOS (for example to support Tualatin), and then (just like the author) it turned out that Windows could not install.
This is not correct, but it works.
Although on the other hand, you are right.
Apparently I take this easier, because I can always restore the BIOS using a programmer or hotswap.