Unknown RAM problem (or so i think)[resolved]

al3x · 03-22-2007, 12:56 PM

First of all, let me say HI to everyone here. Second, I'm sorry if i missed category or solution can be found somewhere on forum, but I'm quite angry now so hope you'll understand.

Ok, I collected few part, bought motherboard I there it is, "new" pc. And it ain't bad
Pentium 4 3Ghz, HT, 800FSB
160 GB HDD
Asus P4V800D-x MB

And all was working fine until today. I bought 512 Mb of RAM, because a had only 256, put it in, everything went ok, memory recognized, OS started, all is fast and THEN...
1. when I tried to start some game (Homeworld 2, UT2004...) PC freezes
2. Some apps work fine, other.. well same as above, cant move mouse, Ctrl+Alt+Del cant do a thing.... Hard reset...
After few attempts a decided to format HDD and put new OS (XP Pro, same as before)
And a same thing happened. Driver installation was ok, but when i tried to install some benchmark software (Sandra) hell went loose-it froze again
Also, when i try to run hardware diagnostic from Hiren boot cd, it doesn't work, it freezes.
I tried to put only old memory (it worked ok yesterday), no good, only new, noop, tried all possible combinations on slots, set BIOS to default and still... OS boots up, but i never know when will it freeze.

Memory is DDR PC 3200, 400 Mhz, Old module was some unknown company (Micron, i think) and new is TakeMS

Does anyone have any idea where is the problem and how to fix it?

dai · 03-22-2007, 01:34 PM

what psu do you have in it

**manic** · 03-22-2007, 01:34 PM

Make sure ram is seated securely. Ram can fool you, sometimes it takes
some extra umph to get ram in place. You need to go through bios and
double check your settings,optimal settings, default settings most always
needs tweaking. When you get into windows I would recommend installing
motherboard drivers.

al3x · 03-22-2007, 01:47 PM

Done all that... Just ran a GoldMemory test (6.64), in 1. pass no problems. But when i want to start owerall diagnostic (like torubleshooter, Pc-check..) it wont start. Could it be some other component. Basic cpu test is ok, don't belive it's graphic. Or mb. All MB driver are installed and operational. Interesting is that i could start Photoshop CS2, but games or testing software are problem, even I. Explorer

al3x · 03-22-2007, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dai

what psu do you have in it

400w, not brand. I had some power problems last few days, whole electrical grid was messed up. Coul it be a problem?

**manic** · 03-22-2007, 02:08 PM

A 400watt no name brand psu is not very encouraging. Psu's can cause
funky problems much like you are experiencing. As per Dai's inquiry,,,

al3x · 03-22-2007, 02:13 PM

I know that, but usualy i had problem with restarting and BSOD when psu was faulty. But could it freeze whole PC? Damn mouse won't move, but os stays up. And when running dos diagnostic programs, same thing.. Maybe when all components are under full load it can't supply?

dai · 03-22-2007, 03:12 PM

see if you can borrow a larger better quality psu to try in it

al3x · 03-23-2007, 03:40 AM

I'll try, but it seams that I'll have to buy new unit. Just hope that this is the problem,and not something else...

al3x · 03-23-2007, 07:06 AM

Problem seams to be solved, and reason was, well.. stupid... Old case, graphic card didn't fit fully into slot, on one side 1mm was outside, unstable contact during 3D apps and I got stuck....

Usually I'm not so stupid... Now I'm instaling UT2004, if it can run it then all is ok... If not, well, I'll be back
Thanks for help

alabamaman79 · 03-23-2007, 07:53 AM

Hopefully it works

al3x · 03-23-2007, 08:10 AM

It works! And it works quite well, must say. So this thread can be closed. Thanks to all. I'll stay on forum, maybe I can help someone.

alabamaman79 · 03-23-2007, 09:14 AM

Good to hear!

Enjoy UT2004!

03-22-2007, 12:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
al3x Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 7 OS: WinXP	Unknown RAM problem (or so i think)[resolved] First of all, let me say HI to everyone here. Second, I'm sorry if i missed category or solution can be found somewhere on forum, but I'm quite angry now so hope you'll understand. Ok, I collected few part, bought motherboard I there it is, "new" pc. And it ain't bad Pentium 4 3Ghz, HT, 800FSB 160 GB HDD Asus P4V800D-x MB And all was working fine until today. I bought 512 Mb of RAM, because a had only 256, put it in, everything went ok, memory recognized, OS started, all is fast and THEN... 1. when I tried to start some game (Homeworld 2, UT2004...) PC freezes 2. Some apps work fine, other.. well same as above, cant move mouse, Ctrl+Alt+Del cant do a thing.... Hard reset... After few attempts a decided to format HDD and put new OS (XP Pro, same as before) And a same thing happened. Driver installation was ok, but when i tried to install some benchmark software (Sandra) hell went loose-it froze again Also, when i try to run hardware diagnostic from Hiren boot cd, it doesn't work, it freezes. I tried to put only old memory (it worked ok yesterday), no good, only new, noop, tried all possible combinations on slots, set BIOS to default and still... OS boots up, but i never know when will it freeze. Memory is DDR PC 3200, 400 Mhz, Old module was some unknown company (Micron, i think) and new is TakeMS Does anyone have any idea where is the problem and how to fix it?

03-22-2007, 01:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 41,797 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: Unknown RAM problem (or so i think) what psu do you have in it __________________

03-22-2007, 01:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
manic Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 3,224 OS: xp	Re: Unknown RAM problem (or so i think) Make sure ram is seated securely. Ram can fool you, sometimes it takes some extra umph to get ram in place. You need to go through bios and double check your settings,optimal settings, default settings most always needs tweaking. When you get into windows I would recommend installing motherboard drivers. __________________

03-22-2007, 01:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
al3x Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 7 OS: WinXP	Re: Unknown RAM problem (or so i think) Done all that... Just ran a GoldMemory test (6.64), in 1. pass no problems. But when i want to start owerall diagnostic (like torubleshooter, Pc-check..) it wont start. Could it be some other component. Basic cpu test is ok, don't belive it's graphic. Or mb. All MB driver are installed and operational. Interesting is that i could start Photoshop CS2, but games or testing software are problem, even I. Explorer

03-22-2007, 02:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
manic Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 3,224 OS: xp	Re: Unknown RAM problem (or so i think) A 400watt no name brand psu is not very encouraging. Psu's can cause funky problems much like you are experiencing. As per Dai's inquiry,,, __________________

03-22-2007, 02:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
al3x Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 7 OS: WinXP	Re: Unknown RAM problem (or so i think) I know that, but usualy i had problem with restarting and BSOD when psu was faulty. But could it freeze whole PC? Damn mouse won't move, but os stays up. And when running dos diagnostic programs, same thing.. Maybe when all components are under full load it can't supply?

03-22-2007, 03:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 41,797 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: Unknown RAM problem (or so i think) see if you can borrow a larger better quality psu to try in it __________________

03-23-2007, 03:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
al3x Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 7 OS: WinXP	Re: Unknown RAM problem (or so i think) I'll try, but it seams that I'll have to buy new unit. Just hope that this is the problem,and not something else...

03-23-2007, 07:06 AM	#10 (permalink)
al3x Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 7 OS: WinXP	Re: Unknown RAM problem (or so i think) Problem seams to be solved, and reason was, well.. stupid... Old case, graphic card didn't fit fully into slot, on one side 1mm was outside, unstable contact during 3D apps and I got stuck.... Usually I'm not so stupid... Now I'm instaling UT2004, if it can run it then all is ok... If not, well, I'll be back Thanks for help

03-23-2007, 07:53 AM	#11 (permalink)
alabamaman79 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 169 OS: WinXP My System	Re: Unknown RAM problem (or so i think) Hopefully it works

03-23-2007, 08:10 AM	#12 (permalink)
al3x Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 7 OS: WinXP	Re: Unknown RAM problem (or so i think) It works! And it works quite well, must say. So this thread can be closed. Thanks to all. I'll stay on forum, maybe I can help someone.

03-23-2007, 09:14 AM	#13 (permalink)
alabamaman79 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 169 OS: WinXP My System	Re: Unknown RAM problem (or so i think)[resolved] Good to hear! Enjoy UT2004!