Can RAM failure corrupt the OS ?

[lfoggy]

I've just built up a new system based on a AB9 Pro and ran into some problems with stability which I tracked down to a pair of seriously faulty RAM modules (see my previous thread). These have now been replaced and the system is much more stable with no more crashes and freezes etc. There still remains some weirdness however, e.g. colours in PowerPoint presentation changing suddenly and other stuff like that. I am wondering if the faulty RAM could have caused some subtle corruption to my software. Is this a recognised phenomenon and should I reinstall XP and everything else to try to solve this ?

I guess the only way to know for sure is to try a re-installation but I would be interesetd to hear any views or experience.....

[chuckskull]

It is possible, if you installed using the faulty RAM, what you describe doesn't sound like a typical case, personally I;d re-install anyway just to rule it out.

[moogle]

if the os files are copied from cd -> ram -> hard disk then i guess so, but it's usually never done like that, but since you install an os, the installer runs in ram so it could have corrupted instructions and such, leading to a corrupt os.

[DR]

Yes 100% this can cause the OS to be corrupted, but normally so it won't boot.

The colours in PPT won't be the memory that sounds more like a graphics card issue

[wmsteele]

Yep, has happened to me with my current Abit board (IS7). Luckily it only corrupted my boot partition but required a full XP reinstall, and a new stick of RAM, to get it sorted.

[gilgamesh]

I've just built up a new system based on a AB9 Pro and ran into some problems with stability which I tracked down to a pair of seriously faulty RAM modules (see my previous thread). These have now been replaced and the system is much more stable with no more crashes and freezes etc. There still remains some weirdness however, e.g. colours in PowerPoint presentation changing suddenly and other stuff like that. I am wondering if the faulty RAM could have caused some subtle corruption to my software. Is this a recognised phenomenon and should I reinstall XP and everything else to try to solve this ?

I guess the only way to know for sure is to try a re-installation but I would be interesetd to hear any views or experience.....

A straight and direct answer is. A resounding YES, People hom have had computer problems and had memeory errors ahve expressed to me 'why their OS is not loading even after replacing the RAM. to whihc my standard reply is 'Have you reinstalled windows after tha ram change?' The answer to this is........OH Dear

Enough said

Gilgamesh