Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM

FixThis · 10-12-2007, 03:20 PM

Hello. I have 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM. My computer randomly shuts down.

I ran memtest, with one chip at a time. After 16 hours, it passed all tests, and had no errors.

But when I run memtest with both RAM chips, I get at least 2 million errors. I tried putting them in different configurations too. Like in slot 1 and 3, slot 2 and 3, and slot 1 and 2. But I always get errors when I use both RAM chips.

Right now I'm running with only one RAM chip. My computer is a lot more stable, but I still get the random shut downs.

Is it a RAM problem? Or motherboard, or CPU?

Thanks!

**Deleted090308** · 10-12-2007, 03:27 PM

Hi again,

Does the computer shut down or restart?
What are the temperatures?
Do you receive any error messages? If so, write them down.
I should be able to remember, but for the other members - please post the system specs, including the power supply.

FixThis · 10-13-2007, 12:36 PM

The computer shuts down, and it doesn't display any error messages.

Is there a way I can set it up, that it will show me an error message?

Specs:

P4 2.53 ghz
2 - 512 mb SDRAM chips (currently running with only one)
brand new Antec 430 watt psu
Nvidia 256 mb 6200 LE AGP video card
Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum sound card
brand new Seagate 500 gig IDE HD
WD 250 gig IDE HD
usb card
firewire card
network card

The shut downs are mostly confined to when I'm either burning a DVD (not a CD), playing an online game, or watching videos online.

FixThis · 10-13-2007, 12:47 PM

System temp: 82 F
CPU temp: 127 F

Voltages:
CPU - 1.45
+3.3 - 3.24
+5 - 4.97
+12 - 12.22
-12 - 11.62
VBAT - 3.29
5VSB - 4.96

**Deleted090308** · 10-13-2007, 01:46 PM

The voltages are fine, but the CPU temp is too high. Is that with the system idling?
What program are you using to monitor the temps/voltages?

To see if there's any log explaining what's happening:
Click Start > Run > type eventvwr.exe and click OK.
In Event Viewer > Click "System".
See if there's anything coinciding with the system shutdowns.

Having said that: It's probably the CPU getting too hot, although that doesn't explain the dual RAM stick problem. But, after all we've been through to get this computer up and running I'm not very keen on opening that computer case up again.

FixThis · 10-14-2007, 12:15 PM

Those temps are from bios.

I also used PC Wizard, and got the same temps.

So how should I take my next step? Do you believe it's a heat sync problem? Or most likely the cpu or motherboard?

Also, if I do have to end up getting a new motherboard.. do sata boards also have an ide input? I definitely don't want to have to buy new hard drives.

Thanks!

**Deleted090308** · 10-14-2007, 12:52 PM

Did you have a look in Event Viewer?
Watch a video or play a game for 5-10 minutes - then check the temps/voltages in PC Wizard.
What motherboard do you have?

FixThis · 10-15-2007, 01:53 PM

I did look in event viewer, but I don't remember the date of the last shut down.

I'll give you the temps in a few minutes.

I'll try burning a dvd too, and once it shuts down.. I'll give you the message from event viewer.

MOTHERBOARD:

DFI NB72-SC/SR

FixThis · 10-15-2007, 02:27 PM

Been playing a game for a few minutes.. here are the temps right now:

Processor: 62.5 C
Mainboard: 31 C

FixThis · 10-15-2007, 03:18 PM

Well now I'm able to successfully burn a dvd, without my computer shutting down.

Perhaps because I downloaded the latest version of Intel Application Accelerator? That's pretty much the only thing I've done since all the random shut downs.

Should I try memtest again with both sticks of RAM?

**Deleted090308** · 10-15-2007, 10:20 PM

Yes, run Memtest, but I doubt the result will be different - the Intel driver runs in Windows, Memtest in DOS.

FixThis · 10-18-2007, 01:39 PM

So is the memory bad if I get errors with both chips in?

**Deleted090308** · 10-18-2007, 02:00 PM

If Windows runs faultlessly with both sticks, there can't be anything wrong with them.
But, I still think the CPU is too hot.

FixThis · 10-18-2007, 02:37 PM

Perhaps my heat sync is messed up?

**Deleted090308** · 10-18-2007, 02:58 PM

Maybe, but I would try to reapply thermal paste first.
Instructions: http://www.arcticsilver.com/ins_rout...2intelas5.html

FixThis · 10-18-2007, 03:02 PM

I just used that stuff like 2 months ago.

**Deleted090308** · 10-18-2007, 03:06 PM

Yes, I know, but it's important to apply the correct amount (very little - about the size of a grain of rice).

FixThis · 10-18-2007, 03:19 PM

I followed those exact directions, and only applied a small dot.

Is there a way to figure out whether or not I applied it correctly, or if there are any air bubbles?

**Deleted090308** · 10-19-2007, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FixThis

Is there a way to figure out whether or not I applied it correctly, or if there are any air bubbles?

Not really.

The best would be to wipe the "old" paste off the CPU and the heatsink, using a little acetone on a cloth.
Then apply a "grain of rice" at the middle of the CPU surface and spread the paste with a piece of plastic before mounting the heatsink.

FixThis · 10-19-2007, 11:31 AM

Thanks, I'll try that.

My computer keeps on freezing now. I've been trying to get on my computer all night, and haven't been able to, because it keeps freezing before windows even boots up. It'll probably be only a few minutes until it freezes again.

The only thing I did yesterday was defrag the HD.

This computer is such a piece of ****.

There are tons of errors in event viewer.

10-12-2007, 03:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
FixThis Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 222 OS: XP	Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM Hello. I have 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM. My computer randomly shuts down. I ran memtest, with one chip at a time. After 16 hours, it passed all tests, and had no errors. But when I run memtest with both RAM chips, I get at least 2 million errors. I tried putting them in different configurations too. Like in slot 1 and 3, slot 2 and 3, and slot 1 and 2. But I always get errors when I use both RAM chips. Right now I'm running with only one RAM chip. My computer is a lot more stable, but I still get the random shut downs. Is it a RAM problem? Or motherboard, or CPU? Thanks!

10-12-2007, 03:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM Hi again, Does the computer shut down or restart? What are the temperatures? Do you receive any error messages? If so, write them down. I should be able to remember, but for the other members - please post the system specs, including the power supply.

10-13-2007, 12:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
FixThis Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 222 OS: XP	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM The computer shuts down, and it doesn't display any error messages. Is there a way I can set it up, that it will show me an error message? Specs: P4 2.53 ghz 2 - 512 mb SDRAM chips (currently running with only one) brand new Antec 430 watt psu Nvidia 256 mb 6200 LE AGP video card Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum sound card brand new Seagate 500 gig IDE HD WD 250 gig IDE HD usb card firewire card network card The shut downs are mostly confined to when I'm either burning a DVD (not a CD), playing an online game, or watching videos online. Last edited by FixThis; 10-13-2007 at 12:49 PM.

10-13-2007, 12:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
FixThis Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 222 OS: XP	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM System temp: 82 F CPU temp: 127 F Voltages: CPU - 1.45 +3.3 - 3.24 +5 - 4.97 +12 - 12.22 -12 - 11.62 VBAT - 3.29 5VSB - 4.96

10-13-2007, 01:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM The voltages are fine, but the CPU temp is too high. Is that with the system idling? What program are you using to monitor the temps/voltages? To see if there's any log explaining what's happening: Click Start > Run > type eventvwr.exe and click OK. In Event Viewer > Click "System". See if there's anything coinciding with the system shutdowns. Having said that: It's probably the CPU getting too hot, although that doesn't explain the dual RAM stick problem. But, after all we've been through to get this computer up and running I'm not very keen on opening that computer case up again.

10-14-2007, 12:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
FixThis Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 222 OS: XP	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM Those temps are from bios. I also used PC Wizard, and got the same temps. So how should I take my next step? Do you believe it's a heat sync problem? Or most likely the cpu or motherboard? Also, if I do have to end up getting a new motherboard.. do sata boards also have an ide input? I definitely don't want to have to buy new hard drives. Thanks!

10-14-2007, 12:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM Did you have a look in Event Viewer? Watch a video or play a game for 5-10 minutes - then check the temps/voltages in PC Wizard. What motherboard do you have?

10-15-2007, 01:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
FixThis Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 222 OS: XP	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM I did look in event viewer, but I don't remember the date of the last shut down. I'll give you the temps in a few minutes. I'll try burning a dvd too, and once it shuts down.. I'll give you the message from event viewer. MOTHERBOARD: DFI NB72-SC/SR

10-15-2007, 02:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
FixThis Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 222 OS: XP	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM Been playing a game for a few minutes.. here are the temps right now: Processor: 62.5 C Mainboard: 31 C

10-15-2007, 03:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
FixThis Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 222 OS: XP	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM Well now I'm able to successfully burn a dvd, without my computer shutting down. Perhaps because I downloaded the latest version of Intel Application Accelerator? That's pretty much the only thing I've done since all the random shut downs. Should I try memtest again with both sticks of RAM?

10-15-2007, 10:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM Yes, run Memtest, but I doubt the result will be different - the Intel driver runs in Windows, Memtest in DOS.

10-18-2007, 01:39 PM	#12 (permalink)
FixThis Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 222 OS: XP	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM So is the memory bad if I get errors with both chips in?

10-18-2007, 02:00 PM	#13 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM If Windows runs faultlessly with both sticks, there can't be anything wrong with them. But, I still think the CPU is too hot.

10-18-2007, 02:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
FixThis Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 222 OS: XP	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM Perhaps my heat sync is messed up?

10-18-2007, 02:58 PM	#15 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM Maybe, but I would try to reapply thermal paste first. Instructions: http://www.arcticsilver.com/ins_rout...2intelas5.html

10-18-2007, 03:02 PM	#16 (permalink)
FixThis Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 222 OS: XP	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM I just used that stuff like 2 months ago.

10-18-2007, 03:06 PM	#17 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM Yes, I know, but it's important to apply the correct amount (very little - about the size of a grain of rice).

10-18-2007, 03:19 PM	#18 (permalink)
FixThis Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 222 OS: XP	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM I followed those exact directions, and only applied a small dot. Is there a way to figure out whether or not I applied it correctly, or if there are any air bubbles?

10-19-2007, 11:31 AM	#20 (permalink)
FixThis Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 222 OS: XP	Re: Memtest: 2 chips of 512 mb SDRAM Thanks, I'll try that. My computer keeps on freezing now. I've been trying to get on my computer all night, and haven't been able to, because it keeps freezing before windows even boots up. It'll probably be only a few minutes until it freezes again. The only thing I did yesterday was defrag the HD. This computer is such a piece of ****. There are tons of errors in event viewer.