Memory or Motherboard Problem?

inorbit · 04-01-2007, 07:56 PM

Hey everyone,
I have a Dell Inspiron 8500, which I have owned for about 4 years now. It has 512MB Ram installed in the DIMMA slot on the motherboard. Recently, I started getting the windows blue screen of death, with PAGED FILE IN NON PAGED AREA messages, among others. Sometimes, when the computer boots, BIOS will display memory line errors, with some value expected, and some other value observed. I used the dell Diagnostic software, which determined there were errors in the memory, as well as running Memtest86+, which also determined there were errors, and many of them. I decided to move the memory from DIMM slot A to slot B, which was empty. The computer seemed to be working fine, and the errors were no longer showing up in diagnostics. Several hours later, I got another blue screen, and then the errors were back in the diagnostic. I waited again, and ran the test once more. Now the errors are gone. I am very worried this may be a problem with the motherboard and not the memory, but I am not entirely sure. The Dell diagnostic on the motherboard showed no problems.

Any advice? I can provide additional information if needed.

inorbit

dai · 04-01-2007, 08:59 PM

clean the contacts with a rubber erazer rubbing gently
let memtest run on the ram overnight while you sleep
when it finds errors replace the ram

inorbit · 04-02-2007, 11:08 AM

I tired, and then ran Memtest, which gave errors almost immediately. I've ordered replacement RAM, hopefully that corrects the problem. Thanks for your help.

dai · 04-02-2007, 11:17 AM

let us know how you go when you get it fitted

adamb_135 · 04-02-2007, 09:21 PM

I had the same EXACT error message with this computer when i first built it, i went with some cheapy ram and it wasn't compatible with my motherboard, took me about 3 days to think of testing my other computers ram in it. i ended up just getting some good high quality $80 patriot ram.

04-01-2007, 07:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
inorbit Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 29 OS: WinXP	Memory or Motherboard Problem? Hey everyone, I have a Dell Inspiron 8500, which I have owned for about 4 years now. It has 512MB Ram installed in the DIMMA slot on the motherboard. Recently, I started getting the windows blue screen of death, with PAGED FILE IN NON PAGED AREA messages, among others. Sometimes, when the computer boots, BIOS will display memory line errors, with some value expected, and some other value observed. I used the dell Diagnostic software, which determined there were errors in the memory, as well as running Memtest86+, which also determined there were errors, and many of them. I decided to move the memory from DIMM slot A to slot B, which was empty. The computer seemed to be working fine, and the errors were no longer showing up in diagnostics. Several hours later, I got another blue screen, and then the errors were back in the diagnostic. I waited again, and ran the test once more. Now the errors are gone. I am very worried this may be a problem with the motherboard and not the memory, but I am not entirely sure. The Dell diagnostic on the motherboard showed no problems. Any advice? I can provide additional information if needed. inorbit

04-01-2007, 08:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 42,106 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: Memory or Motherboard Problem? clean the contacts with a rubber erazer rubbing gently let memtest run on the ram overnight while you sleep when it finds errors replace the ram __________________

04-02-2007, 11:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
inorbit Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 29 OS: WinXP	Re: Memory or Motherboard Problem? I tired, and then ran Memtest, which gave errors almost immediately. I've ordered replacement RAM, hopefully that corrects the problem. Thanks for your help.

04-02-2007, 11:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 42,106 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: Memory or Motherboard Problem? let us know how you go when you get it fitted __________________

04-02-2007, 09:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
adamb_135 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: CA Posts: 155 OS: XP Pro My System	Re: Memory or Motherboard Problem? I had the same EXACT error message with this computer when i first built it, i went with some cheapy ram and it wasn't compatible with my motherboard, took me about 3 days to think of testing my other computers ram in it. i ended up just getting some good high quality $80 patriot ram.