Strange RAM problem.

[bob007]

Specs first.....
ASRock K7 VT2 Mobo,
AMD Athy 2k xp running at default speed. (first cpu i havn't tried to oc out of the box )
GForce 4 mmx 440
MS windows xp sp1
spec end...

problem......

The mobo has duel ram slots. has 2 x ddr slots and 2x sdram slot, I've had it a bit and been running 2x pc 133 256 sticks of ram, Just in the last few days somethings developed a problem. Now am unable to run 2x sticks as before. At first I wondered if a ram slot was failing, But running 1 stick in any slot and the machine boots fine, Running 2 sticks and it fails at windows boot screen. (leads me to think xp prob ) So i did a full format and reinstall, Useing nothing from old setup, Incase of worm/vir infection. Still the problem is there, I've tested each stick on its own, But nothing seems to be a problem. I can't check 2 sticks togeather as system point blank refueses (sp?) to boot. I know the simple solution is to change sticks to either 512 sd single or pop some ddr in, But money tight atm and X-Mas just round the corner prevents this at this time. Any pointer of were i should look would be of great help.

Problem end....
Thanks

 

[TheJkWhoSaysNi]

I had a simiar problem just last week!

Firstly, When booting into XP it said "couldn't load "System32\drivers\ntfs.sys insert the windows setup cd and press 'r' to repeair" but I couldnt even do that... Booting into windows 98 it said "Windows Protection error you must restart your computer". Windows98 setup wouldnt work either...Although the same hard drive booted fine in another computer.

So I started removing piece by piece of hardware and it turned out that my 512mb stick of ram was dead. With 768mb in there it got as far as error messages, with just the 256mb stick in there it worked fine!

I could not get it woking with the 512mb stick in the computer.. You';; probably have to just run 1 stick..

 

[lovedaddy]

http://www.memtest86.com/

You can download an ISO that you can burn (hopefully on someone else's machine =) thats a bootable CD. Does all kinds of fancy memory testing and will give you your proof that your ram is nackered.

 

[bob007]

Originally posted by lovedaddy
http://www.memtest86.com/

You can download an ISO that you can burn (hopefully on someone else's machine =) thats a bootable CD. Does all kinds of fancy memory testing and will give you your proof that your ram is nackered.

Thanks, Installing the required software now to burn it. Will post back later....

 

[bob007]

Update...

Ran the test cd, Both ram sticks in and test came out with no errors, Yet windows didn't boot Had to remove 1 of the sticks to get into windows to post reply.

Am i now looking at an OS error ? Any more pointers anyone can give ?

Update end...

Thanks for your time.

 

[Sibanac]

Originally posted by lovedaddy
http://www.memtest86.com/

You can download an ISO that you can burn (hopefully on someone else's machine =) thats a bootable CD. Does all kinds of fancy memory testing and will give you your proof that your ram is nackered.

Its not all that good tho, had twice it didnt find anything wrong with my Ram.
While some top secret software(read forgot the name) from a mate who has a pc shop found errors.

 

[lovedaddy]

Originally posted by Sibanac
Its not all that good tho, had twice it didnt find anything wrong with my Ram.
While some top secret software(read forgot the name) from a mate who has a pc shop found errors.

I think its been spot on every time I've used it. Sometimes fails dont shop up until the later tests (whcih sometimes can take several hours to run).
I'll ask about, see if anyone know any other memory testing apps. I think sandra might do some (but being unable to boot the machine with any reliability you might be stumped unless you can use someone elses PC to test...)

 

[bob007]

I can boot the machine every time with a single stick, Doesn't matter which stick or slot, It boots if theres 1 in, But the momment i add 2nd stick, It just refuses to boot. All ram is same manuf. and has been running along side each other for a while. Just the last few days they seem to have fallen out or something.

The plot thickens

Ok am now running both sticks, Windows seems fine. How long can i keep it on without ever rebooting

 

[(Shovel)]

Are the two RAM sticks of the same brand? There are known problems that can sometimes pop up when running RAM of different brands - that could offer up some explaination maybe?

 

[lovedaddy]

Dodgy contacts on one of the dimm slots thats now been solved?

 

[bob007]

Aye there of same brand. Am feeling lovedaddy is right, And its a dodgy contact in 1 of the dimm slot.

Thanks for the happy peeps.

Cheers