New System with RAM errors...

hugsar · 05-31-2008, 12:01 PM

A few weeks ago I built a new computer system, and have been running XP on it. Every once in a while the computer would crash (No BSOD or anything, just kind of like if you pushed the reset button.) Anyways, after a while of that I downloaded Memtest and discovered one of my ram sticks was bad. I took it out, ran it again, and it was fine. Now, a few days later, i'm getting errors on the other stick. But... that's not the end.

I read something about changing the voltage of the RAM in the BIOS to fix these problems, so i went in and started changing stuff around. There's nowhere to change voltages of any kind, so I just changed the ram speed down from 800 to 667 to see if that did anything, and Viola! Memtest has got to about 30% now and no errors (before it would come up with 10+ before it even got to 5%.) Anyways, i was just wondering if its normal for that to happen. Also, is there anyway i can get my RAM functioning again at it's normal speed?

Also, is it possible at all that the Motherboard could be causing these problems? I just wonder because I bought the MoBo from kind of a shady company online with REALLY bad reviews (Didn't notice that till after i bought the parts

).

System Specs:
Windows XP running SP2
Gigabyte S-series GA-MA69VM-S2
AMD x2 4800+ Dual-Core 2.8Ghz (Socket AM2)
2x1Gb Samsung DDR2 800mhz RAM
250Gb SATA Hard Drive
Onboard Video

Thanks A TON in advance!

Mucko · 05-31-2008, 05:30 PM

Hey Hugsar Im having all the same problems you are. I cant really give you any advice but wanted to let you know Im in the same bag. I tried everything but what you did. Its the last thing you wanna do because you want the RAM to run as fast as possible. I have a feeling its the MoBo myself but I dont want to go there. Alot of people on the forums think the Power Supply Unit causes alot of crashes. This might be your case figuring when you lower the voltage you get no crashes. You could try this app someone here told me to download. Its called Everest.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html
Install-click on computer-sensor and see that your 12Volts is up to at least 11.95 Im guessing. If its lower you might not be putting out the wattage you need. Good luck. Im just taking advice from other people and passing it on

**Underclocker** · 06-01-2008, 05:05 AM

Check that your RAM is running at the correct timings as well as voltage. Run CPU-Z to see those specs under the SPD tab then change the settings in the BIOS as necessary.

hugsar · 06-04-2008, 03:28 PM

Just an update on my situation:

A few hours after I posted the first thing my computer crashed! When I rebooted MemTest found multiple errors on the stick of RAM that seemed to have worked before... so... i don't really know what to do. Here are a couple more things I've done to try and find the source of the problem:

-Found the "Supported Memory" document for my mobo. It doesn't say my RAM is supported, but it does list similar sticks (it lists lower speeds of the same brand/sized RAM, same speeds of same brand, different sized RAM).

-Voltages (From Gigabyte's EasyTune5):
"VCoreA": 1.28
+3.3V: 3.29
+12V: 11.920
"CPU Vid": 1.320

-Computer crashed a while ago, I let it sit off for a while, and now MemTest is showing no errors again. I'm almost positive it'll crash soon... It usually lasts from an hour to like 3 hours before it'll crash (if that matters...)

-Also, in regards to Underclocker's BIOS comment: My BIOS doesn't have settings to change RAM voltage. It has advanced things to mess with timings, etc., but I'm not sure I'm willing to tinker with that stuff (I've built computers before, but nothing with recent technology).

Again, thanks for all the replies so far. You guys rock.

05-31-2008, 12:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
hugsar Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2 OS: xp sp2	New System with RAM errors... A few weeks ago I built a new computer system, and have been running XP on it. Every once in a while the computer would crash (No BSOD or anything, just kind of like if you pushed the reset button.) Anyways, after a while of that I downloaded Memtest and discovered one of my ram sticks was bad. I took it out, ran it again, and it was fine. Now, a few days later, i'm getting errors on the other stick. But... that's not the end. I read something about changing the voltage of the RAM in the BIOS to fix these problems, so i went in and started changing stuff around. There's nowhere to change voltages of any kind, so I just changed the ram speed down from 800 to 667 to see if that did anything, and Viola! Memtest has got to about 30% now and no errors (before it would come up with 10+ before it even got to 5%.) Anyways, i was just wondering if its normal for that to happen. Also, is there anyway i can get my RAM functioning again at it's normal speed? Also, is it possible at all that the Motherboard could be causing these problems? I just wonder because I bought the MoBo from kind of a shady company online with REALLY bad reviews (Didn't notice that till after i bought the parts). System Specs: Windows XP running SP2 Gigabyte S-series GA-MA69VM-S2 AMD x2 4800+ Dual-Core 2.8Ghz (Socket AM2) 2x1Gb Samsung DDR2 800mhz RAM 250Gb SATA Hard Drive Onboard Video Thanks A TON in advance!

05-31-2008, 05:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mucko Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 17 OS: XP	Re: New System with RAM errors... Hey Hugsar Im having all the same problems you are. I cant really give you any advice but wanted to let you know Im in the same bag. I tried everything but what you did. Its the last thing you wanna do because you want the RAM to run as fast as possible. I have a feeling its the MoBo myself but I dont want to go there. Alot of people on the forums think the Power Supply Unit causes alot of crashes. This might be your case figuring when you lower the voltage you get no crashes. You could try this app someone here told me to download. Its called Everest. http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html Install-click on computer-sensor and see that your 12Volts is up to at least 11.95 Im guessing. If its lower you might not be putting out the wattage you need. Good luck. Im just taking advice from other people and passing it on Last edited by Mucko; 05-31-2008 at 05:32 PM.

06-01-2008, 05:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
Underclocker Just passing by. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 824 OS: XP Pro SP3 x86 My System	Re: New System with RAM errors... Check that your RAM is running at the correct timings as well as voltage. Run CPU-Z to see those specs under the SPD tab then change the settings in the BIOS as necessary. __________________ Everest CPU-Z GPU-Z HWMonitor Real Temp Core Temp OCCT ORTHOS Memtest86+

06-04-2008, 03:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
hugsar Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2 OS: xp sp2	Re: New System with RAM errors... Just an update on my situation: A few hours after I posted the first thing my computer crashed! When I rebooted MemTest found multiple errors on the stick of RAM that seemed to have worked before... so... i don't really know what to do. Here are a couple more things I've done to try and find the source of the problem: -Found the "Supported Memory" document for my mobo. It doesn't say my RAM is supported, but it does list similar sticks (it lists lower speeds of the same brand/sized RAM, same speeds of same brand, different sized RAM). -Voltages (From Gigabyte's EasyTune5): "VCoreA": 1.28 +3.3V: 3.29 +12V: 11.920 "CPU Vid": 1.320 -Computer crashed a while ago, I let it sit off for a while, and now MemTest is showing no errors again. I'm almost positive it'll crash soon... It usually lasts from an hour to like 3 hours before it'll crash (if that matters...) -Also, in regards to Underclocker's BIOS comment: My BIOS doesn't have settings to change RAM voltage. It has advanced things to mess with timings, etc., but I'm not sure I'm willing to tinker with that stuff (I've built computers before, but nothing with recent technology). Again, thanks for all the replies so far. You guys rock.