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Hello from a newbe and possible ram problem

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by jaylach, 2005/04/04.

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  1. 2005/04/04
    jaylach

    jaylach Inactive Thread Starter

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    I just heard about this board today and from doing some looking... It's awesome!!

    I'm trouble shooting a problem on a friend's 'puter and just figured I'd throw out what I think I'm seeing (haven't taken action yet) and see if it makes sence to anyone.

    This computer was just recently taken out of storage and with some of the heat in Florida and given a metal storage unit I impressed it works at all. Actually it works quite well except... always hate that except!

    Haven't turned off restart on error in XP Pro to see an error number yet but since he's hooked up a cable modem it will just suddenly restart the systemwhile he's using the internet. Even though connected, never if not browsing. Tried to load a 198meg jpeg on it and the same thing, total restart.

    He has 768meg ram installed. I haven't opened it yet but I figure that is probably 3 256 blocks. I have 512meg and had no problem opening the image.

    Here's something that made me go 'hmmmmmmm' Even though he has 768meg ram and I only have 512 if I do a system info on his it shows that the available ram is around 270meg at just desktop. right now, while I also have windows explorer up along with freehand 10, my netzero software going, outlook express and firefox all running on a system info I show roughly 293meg free.

    Given the above clues I think there is a problem with one of the three DIMMS. I would guess the middle one. I figure that the system is reading the SPD chip for info and thus shows the 768meg on-board. If I'm thinking right XP would come up against the bad ram and say 'OK, end of memory', totally ignoreing the third bank.

    Does this make sence or am I totally off the wall on this?

    Thanks for any input,

    Jay
     
    jaylach,
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  2. 2005/04/05
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I would try a couple of things before we go any further ....

    As the computer has been in storage at elevated temperatures I would open up the case and remove each of the plug in cards in turn, clean up the contacts with a soft pencil eraser and replace, ensuring that they are correctly seated. Do the same for the ram sticks.

    Pull the ribbon connectors and re seat them.

    Check that the fans are spinning up on boot.

    Check out the memory using Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool - you could do this first.

    Set the computer so that it does not automatically restart on error - the blue screen messages are invaluable in troubleshooting.

    Look in Event Viewer for any System/Application messages - those flagged yellow or red are errors, the rest are informative. Double click on a message to open and on the icon below the up/down arrows to copy to clipboard - paste here if relevant.
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2005/04/05
    jaylach

    jaylach Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thankyou for your input!

    I had already planned to reseat everything when I open it up. Forgot to say in origional post that the problem tends to go away if he just leaves his 'puter on. It's mostly when started cold that the problem happens. So that does point to thermal which very well could be a faulty connection.

    Thankyou very much for the link to the memory diagnostics!! Wasn't aware of it. I tend to test memory by running Prime 95 on it for a few hours or more. Will definately check this out.

    Jay
     
    jaylach,
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