DDR SUPPORT & DDR TEST RESULTS

1. Q. What is DDR Technology?
   A. Double Data Rate (DDR) technology is the modern variant of Synchronous DRAM technology, providing the fast bandwidth needed by today's high speed computers. DDR is similar to SDRAM in the sense that the commands and data accesses are synchronized to the system clock. DDR technology further increases the data throughput by transferring two data for each clock cycle - one data is transferred when the clock goes high, another when the clock goes low.
   
2. Q. Can RAMCHECK support DDR modules?
   A. Yes. RAMCHECK's optional DDR 184-pin Adapter (p/n INN-8668-6) supports modern 184-pin DIMM DDR modules and is at the heart of our new DDR Series. A low-cost converter (p/n INN-8668-6-1) supports 200-pin S.O. DIMM DDR modules. Due to the importance of DDR technology, we have introduced the RAMCHECK PLUS bundle, a combination package of RAMCHECK and the DDR adapter.
   
3. Q. I recently purchase the DDR adapter for my older RAMCHECK, but it does not work with DDR modules although its works fine testing 168-pin DIMMs. Why?
   A. While our DDR technology is designed to work with RAMCHECK, the original RAMCHECK was released in 2000, almost two years before the DDR adapter. We have made numerous enhancements to RAMCHECK's design in order for it to support DDR technology, so your older RAMCHECK unit may need a factory calibration and upgrade. Detailed information, as well as instructions to determine if your unit needs an upgrade, is available at the RAMCHECK calibration and upgrade page. Please contact our tech support department to obtain an RMA number, cost information and shipping instructions.
   
4. Q. Can I test regular 168-pin SDRAM modules while the DDR adapter is installed?
   A. No. YOU MUST REMOVE the DDR adapter from RAMCHECK in order to test the 168-pin SDRAM (or EDO/FPM) modules. DDR and SDRAM use different voltages, and the DDR adapter further loads the SDRAM test bus. To avoid flexing damage to the DDR adapter, please allow the DDR adapter to cool down prior to removing it from RAMCHECK, and carefully remove using two hands .
   
5. Q. How can I set stricter test conditions when testing DDR on RAMCHECK?
   A. You can elect to use the speed setup feature to set a specific frequency rate for your tested module. This will insure a locked setting that will force the module to work at only this speed. Please refer to your owner's manual under Section 5.3.2 to review the information on TESTING DUT AT SETUP SPEED. Alternatively, you may also use the Change-On-The-Fly feature (described in Section 4 of your owner's manual) to set a one-time speed setting.
   
6. Q. Why does RAMCHECK report 266MHz when I test DDR333 or DDR400 modules?
   A. You must use (as always) the most recent version of our firmware. The firmware download is free and easy. If you still cannot test above 266MHz, your unit may need to be upgraded to the current high-speed DDR Pro test adapter. Please review the DDR calibration and upgrade page.
   
7. Q. I purchased a S.O. DIMM 200-pin converter for my RAMCHECK and DDR adapter but it won't test my S.O. DIMMs correctly nor would the RAMCHECK recognize it. Why?
   A. You must use (as always) the most recent version of our firmware. The download is free and easy. Please make sure that you have purchased an original INNOVENTIONS "RAMCHECK DDR S.O. DIMM CONVERTER (p/n INN-8668-6-1) and not a similar product. While other converters will provide some of the connections to test the SO DIMM on RAMCHECK, the automatic converter identification feature is not available on non-INNOVENTIONS products, and RAMCHECK will not recognize the converter. As a result, error messages will refer to 184-pin modules instead of the 200-pin format, and other timing issues may arise.
   
8. Q. Can I program the SPD on the DDR Module with RAMCHECK?
   A. Yes. RAMCHECK provides full support for SPD programming. However, we recommend only advanced users program SPD, since wrong data in the SPD will crash the computer. Please review our FAQ page for SPD for further information.
   
9. Q. I recently updated my firmware to version 2.16, and now I get an SPD warning message on modules that previously tested fine. Should I fail these modules now?
   A. SPD warnings appear when the RAMCHECK determines different size/structure than the information recorded in the SPD. The modules may still be good and the SPD inconsistency issue needs to be checked and corrected. We are preparing an application note to further explain this issue.
   
10. Q. I am receiving a "Connector Wiring Error" on everything I test, is all my memory bad or is there a problem with my tester?
    A. A consistent "Connector Wiring Error" may indicate an internal failure in the DDR adapter. To verify, first remove the DDR adapter and verify that the RAMCHECK base tester can test SDRAM or older EDO/FPM modules. Then install the DDR adapter and try to test without any memory module, expecting to see the "No Memory Error". If you still encounter the same "Connector Wiring Error", your DDR adapter needs repair. The consistent "Connector Wiring Error" usually result due to excessive flexing of the adapter board, which may cause some soldering on the Adapter's main chip to deteriorate. To avoid this problem, we instruct our customers to allow the adapter to cool down prior to removing it from RAMCHECK, as well as careful removal using two hands. If your adapter needs repair, please contact our tech support to obtain an RMA before sending items for repair. All new RAMCHECK equipment is covered by a 1-year warranty.
    
11. Q. Can a consistent "Connector Wiring Error" be repaired at my facility?
    A. If you have an access to advanced SMT soldering at your facility, you may contact our tech support to obtain specific information on how to repair the problem at your end. Of course, you are always welcome to contact our tech support in order to have the repair made at our factory.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to email us at support@innoventions.com. Please remember to include your phone and fax numbers.