RAM error - what now?
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My Vista machine started blue screening for the first time this week. After a few blue screens, Vista recommended a memory scan. It scanned the memory using the built-in utility and found memory errors. The tool says, "contact your manufacturer to find out how to fix this problem." So now what? Is there some software utility that will automagically fix all my problems? Or should I buy new RAM? And if so, where do I buy RAM?
Religiously blogging on the intarwebs since the early 21st century: Kineti L'Tziyon Judah Himango
Judah Himango wrote:
Is there some software utility that will automagically fix all my problems?
No. AFAIK, there is or was a Linux driver at one time that would let you map areas of memory as "bad" (similar to how bad blocks are marked off and avoided for harddrives)... but i'm not aware of anything like this for Windows.
Judah Himango wrote:
Or should I buy new RAM?
Yeah. You should check first to make sure the modules are seated properly, aren't overheating, etc. But assuming that doesn't work, figure out which module(s) are affected and buy replacements. Or use this as an excuse to upgrade and replace 'em all... ;)
Judah Himango wrote:
And if so, where do I buy RAM?
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RAM is so cheap these days, that if you have run a tool that shows you have a busted stick of RAM, you should replace it. Before doing this, you could (assuming you have more than one stick of RAM in there) remove the offending stick and boot - to see if your computer stops the BSOD.
Knowledge is knowing that the tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad!! Booger Mobile - Camp Quality esCarpade 2010
_Damian S_ wrote:
RAM is so cheap these days, that if you have run a tool that shows you have a busted stick of RAM, you should replace it.
Agreed, $50 USA should get you 4 GB of memory for most systems. Well unless you have a shinny new i7.
John
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My Vista machine started blue screening for the first time this week. After a few blue screens, Vista recommended a memory scan. It scanned the memory using the built-in utility and found memory errors. The tool says, "contact your manufacturer to find out how to fix this problem." So now what? Is there some software utility that will automagically fix all my problems? Or should I buy new RAM? And if so, where do I buy RAM?
Religiously blogging on the intarwebs since the early 21st century: Kineti L'Tziyon Judah Himango
I recommend running a few hours to a few days of memtest86+ http://www.memtest.org/[^] If errors are found remove 1 stick of memory and run the test again. If the computer beeps after removing a stick, swap the slots. The reason I say a few hours to a few days is that a memory tester can only tell you that there is a hardware problem. It can never prove your system is stable. Also the problem can be caused by a bad cpu, a bad motherboard, bad powersupply, overheating or overclocking. With all that said memory is the most likely probably followed by power supply then motherboard.
John
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_Damian S_ wrote:
RAM is so cheap these days, that if you have run a tool that shows you have a busted stick of RAM, you should replace it.
Agreed, $50 USA should get you 4 GB of memory for most systems. Well unless you have a shinny new i7.
John
$50? Where at? I just checked Pricewatch.com and I see much higher prices.
Religiously blogging on the intarwebs since the early 21st century: Kineti L'Tziyon Judah Himango
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I recommend running a few hours to a few days of memtest86+ http://www.memtest.org/[^] If errors are found remove 1 stick of memory and run the test again. If the computer beeps after removing a stick, swap the slots. The reason I say a few hours to a few days is that a memory tester can only tell you that there is a hardware problem. It can never prove your system is stable. Also the problem can be caused by a bad cpu, a bad motherboard, bad powersupply, overheating or overclocking. With all that said memory is the most likely probably followed by power supply then motherboard.
John
Thanks for the help. The machine is all new, so I'd be pretty ticked if the board or CPU was bad. I'll try some of your suggestions and if that does not work, buy some new RAM.
Religiously blogging on the intarwebs since the early 21st century: Kineti L'Tziyon Judah Himango
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$50? Where at? I just checked Pricewatch.com and I see much higher prices.
Religiously blogging on the intarwebs since the early 21st century: Kineti L'Tziyon Judah Himango
Nevermind. I see NewEgg has 4GB of RAM for $45 bucks. Gosh! That's great. I've got the slots (and x64 OS) so I might just fill up with 8 GB at that price. Friggin' wonderful.
Religiously blogging on the intarwebs since the early 21st century: Kineti L'Tziyon Judah Himango
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Thanks for the help. The machine is all new, so I'd be pretty ticked if the board or CPU was bad. I'll try some of your suggestions and if that does not work, buy some new RAM.
Religiously blogging on the intarwebs since the early 21st century: Kineti L'Tziyon Judah Himango
Judah Himango wrote:
The machine is all new
If it's new, why bother? Just take it back and get them to replace it under warranty!!
Knowledge is knowing that the tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad!! Booger Mobile - Camp Quality esCarpade 2010
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My Vista machine started blue screening for the first time this week. After a few blue screens, Vista recommended a memory scan. It scanned the memory using the built-in utility and found memory errors. The tool says, "contact your manufacturer to find out how to fix this problem." So now what? Is there some software utility that will automagically fix all my problems? Or should I buy new RAM? And if so, where do I buy RAM?
Religiously blogging on the intarwebs since the early 21st century: Kineti L'Tziyon Judah Himango
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My Vista machine started blue screening for the first time this week. After a few blue screens, Vista recommended a memory scan. It scanned the memory using the built-in utility and found memory errors. The tool says, "contact your manufacturer to find out how to fix this problem." So now what? Is there some software utility that will automagically fix all my problems? Or should I buy new RAM? And if so, where do I buy RAM?
Religiously blogging on the intarwebs since the early 21st century: Kineti L'Tziyon Judah Himango
Check the modules are seated properly. I've had a couple of BSODs due to dust getting into the sockets. Simply taking the modules out, blowing on the contacts and the socket and putting them back in fixed things.
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_Damian S_ wrote:
RAM is so cheap these days, that if you have run a tool that shows you have a busted stick of RAM, you should replace it.
Agreed, $50 USA should get you 4 GB of memory for most systems. Well unless you have a shinny new i7.
John
John M. Drescher wrote:
Well unless you have a shinny new i7.
Even then if you're not overclocking you can get 6GB for <$80. DDR3 prices have plummeted to sanity over the last few months. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220369[^]
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains. -- Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
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Judah Himango wrote:
The machine is all new
If it's new, why bother? Just take it back and get them to replace it under warranty!!
Knowledge is knowing that the tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad!! Booger Mobile - Camp Quality esCarpade 2010
I bought it from a guy on Ebay who builds them. He didn't offer any warranties, and I got it cheap ($400 for a good gaming machine).
Religiously blogging on the intarwebs since the early 21st century: Kineti L'Tziyon Judah Himango
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Check the modules are seated properly. I've had a couple of BSODs due to dust getting into the sockets. Simply taking the modules out, blowing on the contacts and the socket and putting them back in fixed things.
Thanks, I'll try that out.
Religiously blogging on the intarwebs since the early 21st century: Kineti L'Tziyon Judah Himango