hello! a question about memory

unself · 05-23-2007, 12:04 AM

I'm getting blue screens and don't know what's causing them. What I get is a MACHINE_CHECK_ERROR. I get it randomly with some programs and every single time with other programs. Sometimes I get it surfing the net, other times I get it playing games. It just seems totally random and there's no real pattern to it.

I bought another 1GB stick today and the blue screens have become less frequent, but they're still happening with the same error. I've tested my CPU, RAM and HDD and all seems fine. My computer has a fresh Windows install and none of my components are overheating.

I just think I have a RAM compatibility problem. BIOS doesn't let me change the voltage of it, which really sucks. I've heard if you increase the volts on your RAM slightly you can bypass this problem, but my BIOS won't let me!!! 1.85v is just gray and I can't change the number. does anyone have any ideas how I could change the volts?

another thing, and this is why I think it is my RAM, if I slow the RAM speed(frequency), I get much more stability, but I still get random blue screens even when I do this. It annoys me that people can overclock and have no problems and yet I am underclocking and still having issues!

**Aus_Karlos** · 05-23-2007, 12:38 AM

Are the RAM sticks different makes and models or the same.. And i must advise increasing the voltage on the RAM can have really bad consequences. Eg. Motherboard gets fried...
Run this test to see if it is the RAM http://www.memtest86.com/ Its a dos program that runs off the floppy drive or CD (i think). Download the free version.
To me it does sound like bad RAM.

unself · 05-23-2007, 12:50 AM

Memtest86 ran for 10 hours, doing multiple passes, and detected no errors.

In BIOS, if I reduce my RAM frequency from 533 to 333 MHz, I get more stability (though I still get blue screens). This is why I think my problem is memory related. But I shouldn't have to downclock my RAM like this. My mobo supports 533 MHz. I'd be happy to run it at 333 if I got stability, but as I said, I'm not even getting stability at that speed.

I tried with just my new RAM, I tried with the old and new RAM. Still blue screens. It has something to do with my BIOS, and I suspect it is a voltage problem. But like I said this crappy BIOS won't allow me to change the voltage...

unself · 05-23-2007, 01:05 AM

Thanks for the advice, though. I've done a lot of troubleshooting myself before even getting on the net and posting requests for help, all to no avail. I think the only way I'm going to pinpoint the problem is to basically buy every component again and just swap them in and out one by one. Since I assembled the thing myself, I have no recourse with the retailer from whom I purchased the goods. It is good for the companies who make shoddy rubbish. Make unreliable crap so that the consumer buys it twice to fault find it. I've assembled computers before, for myself and for others, and have had no problems like this. It is horrible trying to use your computer not knowing when it is just going to REBOOT on you. I am at wits end and am currently wallowing in my pity pit.

**Aus_Karlos** · 05-23-2007, 01:18 AM

Ok... Follow these steps then. Only put one stick of RAM in and turn on your pc.. If you get the BSOD then switch your pc off. Change the RAM still only put one in and do the same for how many sticks of RAM you have.. If the BSOD displays an all the tests then your RAM isnt the problem. If you have all ready done that the next possibility is your HDD.
Either windows didnt install correctly or a PCI and/or a USB device is conflicting with some other Hardware.
For now try the steps i left you and post back

05-23-2007, 12:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
unself Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3 OS: xp	hello! a question about memory I'm getting blue screens and don't know what's causing them. What I get is a MACHINE_CHECK_ERROR. I get it randomly with some programs and every single time with other programs. Sometimes I get it surfing the net, other times I get it playing games. It just seems totally random and there's no real pattern to it. I bought another 1GB stick today and the blue screens have become less frequent, but they're still happening with the same error. I've tested my CPU, RAM and HDD and all seems fine. My computer has a fresh Windows install and none of my components are overheating. I just think I have a RAM compatibility problem. BIOS doesn't let me change the voltage of it, which really sucks. I've heard if you increase the volts on your RAM slightly you can bypass this problem, but my BIOS won't let me!!! 1.85v is just gray and I can't change the number. does anyone have any ideas how I could change the volts? another thing, and this is why I think it is my RAM, if I slow the RAM speed(frequency), I get much more stability, but I still get random blue screens even when I do this. It annoys me that people can overclock and have no problems and yet I am underclocking and still having issues! Last edited by unself; 05-23-2007 at 12:07 AM. Reason: forgot a point

05-23-2007, 12:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
Aus_Karlos Moderator, Games Team Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western Australia Posts: 3,461 OS: Vista Ultimate x64, Windows XP 32-bit/64-bit, Ubuntu x64, Windows 7 x64 Beta My System Blog Entries: 2	Re: hello! a question about memory Are the RAM sticks different makes and models or the same.. And i must advise increasing the voltage on the RAM can have really bad consequences. Eg. Motherboard gets fried... Run this test to see if it is the RAM http://www.memtest86.com/ Its a dos program that runs off the floppy drive or CD (i think). Download the free version. To me it does sound like bad RAM. __________________ MemTest86 / Nvidia Drivers / ATI Drivers / DirectX 9.0c / Sys Requirements / Everest Folding@Home

05-23-2007, 12:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
unself Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Re: hello! a question about memory Memtest86 ran for 10 hours, doing multiple passes, and detected no errors. In BIOS, if I reduce my RAM frequency from 533 to 333 MHz, I get more stability (though I still get blue screens). This is why I think my problem is memory related. But I shouldn't have to downclock my RAM like this. My mobo supports 533 MHz. I'd be happy to run it at 333 if I got stability, but as I said, I'm not even getting stability at that speed. I tried with just my new RAM, I tried with the old and new RAM. Still blue screens. It has something to do with my BIOS, and I suspect it is a voltage problem. But like I said this crappy BIOS won't allow me to change the voltage...

05-23-2007, 01:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
unself Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Re: hello! a question about memory Thanks for the advice, though. I've done a lot of troubleshooting myself before even getting on the net and posting requests for help, all to no avail. I think the only way I'm going to pinpoint the problem is to basically buy every component again and just swap them in and out one by one. Since I assembled the thing myself, I have no recourse with the retailer from whom I purchased the goods. It is good for the companies who make shoddy rubbish. Make unreliable crap so that the consumer buys it twice to fault find it. I've assembled computers before, for myself and for others, and have had no problems like this. It is horrible trying to use your computer not knowing when it is just going to REBOOT on you. I am at wits end and am currently wallowing in my pity pit. Last edited by unself; 05-23-2007 at 01:09 AM. Reason: because I want to

05-23-2007, 01:18 AM	#5 (permalink)
Aus_Karlos Moderator, Games Team Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western Australia Posts: 3,461 OS: Vista Ultimate x64, Windows XP 32-bit/64-bit, Ubuntu x64, Windows 7 x64 Beta My System Blog Entries: 2	Re: hello! a question about memory Ok... Follow these steps then. Only put one stick of RAM in and turn on your pc.. If you get the BSOD then switch your pc off. Change the RAM still only put one in and do the same for how many sticks of RAM you have.. If the BSOD displays an all the tests then your RAM isnt the problem. If you have all ready done that the next possibility is your HDD. Either windows didnt install correctly or a PCI and/or a USB device is conflicting with some other Hardware. For now try the steps i left you and post back __________________ MemTest86 / Nvidia Drivers / ATI Drivers / DirectX 9.0c / Sys Requirements / Everest Folding@Home