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Recently, I’ve been going through a hailstorm of crashes and untimely program failures; simple games like Half-Life 2/Source engine games, even down to programs like Winamp.
Also, occasionally, when booting up my computer, I have noticed my system hanging during the memory check in POST.
System Specs:
- CPU: Intel Quad Core Q6600
- Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3R
- Memory: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB)
- PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX 520W
- OS: Windows XP - Service Pack 2
Yours,
Virial
Certainly could be dodgy RAM. Try running memtest.
Have you done any overclocking. Set the RAM to the right voltage in the bios?
No, I haven't increased the voltage. The same applies for the CPU: Everything has remained relatively stock.Quote:
Originally Posted by staffsMike
And, what exactly should I be looking for when doing the Memtest?
Is this the right site to download Memtest from: "memtest.org"?
Well if the RAM requires extra voltage that could account for instability.
I'd try memtest. Just google for the latest version.
Download from HERE and burn onto a disc and boot from the disc.
Thanks guys. I'm going to run the test and post the results.
Okay. I ran the test and here are some of the dreadful results:
I can assume, now, there is a relation between the crashes and the memory errors. Is the memory completely bust? Is there any way to fix this on my end?
I don't know what to make of the results and I'm pretty lost at this point.
Thanks Always,
Virial
ok so up the ram voltage by 2 points and try again, dont go any higher than 2.1v though.
I have tried boosting the RAM voltages from 0.1V, 0.2V, and 0.3V -- All values returned errors in Memtest.
My BIOs does not display the actual RAM voltages, but it gives the user the option to boost the RAM voltages from incriminating values ranging from 0.1V - 0.7V through a feature labeled as "DDR2 OverVoltage Control"; so I don't know if my BIOs was running my RAM at 1.8V or 1.9V.
Is the conclusion a bad memory module?
Thanks,
Virial
drop to 2gb's and see if it works, might also require a bios update ?
The memory voltage would have started at 1.8v
Looking at your bios screenshot I have a couple of other suggestions as well, you are running your memory at DDR 1000 I assume it is only DDR 800 so that is a hefty overclock for the Ram.
So to rectify this in the MIT screen change system memory multiplier from auto to a 2.0 thish should set your memory to 666 then run memtest again.
Oh and if when you first enter the BIOS you press ctrl+F1 you will get some more options including memory timings, which could also be part of your problem if they are set to tight.
Taking into account my RAM voltages were running at 1.8V stock, I bumped up the voltage by 0.3V Now running at 2.1V.
I adjusted the Memory Multiplier to 2.0. My clock speed is 3Ghz (8 x 333). This is my current M.I.T. screen:
Conclusion: I ran Memtest again and it returned the same error values.
My timings are 5-5-5-13, I have never touched the timings during ownership. Could this also be something that needs tinkering?
Yours,
Virial
Okay I would expect that memory (well most 800MHz) to be able to cope with those timings but to be on the safe side go into the BIOS at the first screen hold the ctrl and F1 keys together the screen should refresh. Now go to the MIT screen set the memory timings (first 4) to 5-5-5-15 (it should tell you what the SPD values are next to the manually entered ones) and then make sure system voltage control is set to manual to give you the 2.1v for the RAM if it is set to auto (like in your photo) it will probably default to 1.8v again.
Also you could try un-overclocking your processor and setting the memory divider to auto so that you are testing at 800MHz for the memory and then any overclocked CPU effects can be eliminated as the causes of potential issues.
If you have any issues in the BIOS setup I can take some photos of mine tomorrow just say if that will be helpful.
Worth also (apart from changing timings which I think is prolly clutching at straws) trying just one stick of RAM (and then the other) to see if you just have one bad stick.
Otherwise if you bought all from the same vendor then I'd RMA the lot. It could be the mobo, or even the PSU. Let them sort it.