Why does enabling cache RAM cause my 386DX to lock up during boot

[KenEG]

Does this indicate bad cache RAM or controller? Or does it just mean an adapter doesn't like it?

 

[krebizfan]

Um, what system with which motherboard? How much RAM?

Bad cache or dummy cache seems likely if it works when cache is turned off. If it is from PC Chips, I would definitely expect it would be fake cache

 

[KenEG]

Um, what system with which motherboard? How much RAM?

Bad cache or dummy cache seems likely if it works when cache is turned off. If it is from PC Chips, I would definitely expect it would be fake cache

I believe it uses a Fortex chipset. iIthink it is a Forex Computer Company 386 cache system board. At least the diagram on Stason.org looks like it.

 

[krebizfan]

Amount of RAM and size of the tag cache chip would help. If it has the smallest tag chip listed on Stason, I doubt it would be able to cache 16 MB or more. If the system has modest RAM, then different issue.

Is there any error when it crashes?

 

[Caluser2000]

What in the model no/make of the mobo? Is there no L2 cache on the mobo itself?

 

[konc]

Most probable causes are
1) Bad chip (cache/tag)
2) Missing chips, cache not physically there

 

[KenEG]

Just 4 MB of RAM. All of the cache chips are there. It freezes just after testing RAM. No error reported. It just stops and requires a hard reset.