Weird Issue with computer

minifhncc · 07-01-2008, 03:09 AM

Hello,

I have a computer that is nearly 10 months old. But I suspect is having problems since the start of this year.

The computer detects (in bios and windows) that it has only 256MB RAM. I opened up the computer today and found that it has 768MB of RAM (one 512MB [DDR2 533] piece and one 256MB [PC3200] piece).

When I took the 256MB piece out, and only left the 512MB piece in there, the system at first detected that it had 512MB RAM in memory check and then when it came to boot up and error came up saying something like "BOOT DISK FAILURE INSERT SYSTEM DISK..."

Then when I restarted the computer, the memory check only discovered that there was 256MB RAM in the system, even though there was a single 512MB piece in it, and it still wouldn't boot, giving the same error.

So then when I put the other 256MB piece of RAM back in [so there is now 768MB RAM in the system], it booted up again but the system showed that it only had 256MB of RAM.

It also may be noting that I do get blue screen of death error when I do some cpu heavy stuff or when I accidentally knock the computer (which I did once only).

Could anyone please advise on why this is happening? I really do appreciate it.

Thanks

vladimirb · 07-01-2008, 03:18 AM

Hi minifhncc,
You have probably bad memory module...
256MB memory seems to work fine, but 512MB memory looks like it is faulty...
But before we make that sure, test both modules with Memtest.
You can download it here: http://www.memtest.org/
Test memory modules separately, one by one...
Also check what amount of memory it will be shown in memtest when you put 512MB stick...
Could you post system specs???
Ah just saw, 512 MB is DDR2 and 256MB is DDR... 256MB [PC3200]
It could be memory conflict...

minifhncc · 07-01-2008, 04:04 AM

Hmm yeah thanks.

I think it's a bad 512MB RAM.

In regards to the compatibility issues, I've been told that the two memory types are meant to work together. And besides, it would explain why the 512MB chip itself wont work on its own.

Thanks for your help btw.

vladimirb · 07-01-2008, 04:11 AM

No problem mate, anytime ^-^

minifhncc · 07-01-2008, 05:40 PM

Hi,

It was actually PC4300 RAM, not PC3200, my mistake.

But the weird thing is that I tried putting only the 256MB piece in, and it showed as 512MB of RAM on the system, AND IT BOOTED UP FINE! It must be wrong label or something?

Also just before when I printing some stuff and surfing the net on it the computer just randomly restarted, why would that by caused?

Anyway, I'll run that thing now and tell you of the results.

Thanks a million.

minifhncc · 07-01-2008, 06:19 PM

Hi,

There were no errors with the 256MB piece in memtest. But it did show that it was actually a 512MB piece, despite its label and it stated that the frequency of the RAM was 66 or something. Is that right?

This is really weird, is there anything else I can do to test this?

Once again, thanks alot. I really appreciate it.

wrench97 · 07-03-2008, 12:32 PM

Could we have your complete specs please
If OEM
Brand and Complete Model Number.
If a Custom Build
MotherBoard Brand. Model and Revision number
CPU
Power Supply Brand, Model, Total Watts, Amps on thr 12v Rail(s)
Video Card Brand, Model
Memory

07-01-2008, 03:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
minifhncc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP	Weird Issue with computer Hello, I have a computer that is nearly 10 months old. But I suspect is having problems since the start of this year. The computer detects (in bios and windows) that it has only 256MB RAM. I opened up the computer today and found that it has 768MB of RAM (one 512MB [DDR2 533] piece and one 256MB [PC3200] piece). When I took the 256MB piece out, and only left the 512MB piece in there, the system at first detected that it had 512MB RAM in memory check and then when it came to boot up and error came up saying something like "BOOT DISK FAILURE INSERT SYSTEM DISK..." Then when I restarted the computer, the memory check only discovered that there was 256MB RAM in the system, even though there was a single 512MB piece in it, and it still wouldn't boot, giving the same error. So then when I put the other 256MB piece of RAM back in [so there is now 768MB RAM in the system], it booted up again but the system showed that it only had 256MB of RAM. It also may be noting that I do get blue screen of death error when I do some cpu heavy stuff or when I accidentally knock the computer (which I did once only). Could anyone please advise on why this is happening? I really do appreciate it. Thanks

07-01-2008, 03:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
vladimirb Hardware Team Tech Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina Posts: 1,447 OS: xp pro sp3, Server 2003 My System	Re: Weird Issue with computer Hi minifhncc, You have probably bad memory module... 256MB memory seems to work fine, but 512MB memory looks like it is faulty... But before we make that sure, test both modules with Memtest. You can download it here: http://www.memtest.org/ Test memory modules separately, one by one... Also check what amount of memory it will be shown in memtest when you put 512MB stick... Could you post system specs??? Ah just saw, 512 MB is DDR2 and 256MB is DDR... 256MB [PC3200] It could be memory conflict... __________________ Realm: Bronze Dragonflight - EU Undead Rogue --- Level 70 --- Spec: Combat Orc Shaman --- Level 70 --- Spec: Elemental Tauren Warrior --- Level 70 --- Spec: Protection Troll Priest --- Level 59 --- Spec: Shadow Last edited by vladimirb : 07-01-2008 at 03:22 AM.

07-01-2008, 04:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
minifhncc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP	Re: Weird Issue with computer Hmm yeah thanks. I think it's a bad 512MB RAM. In regards to the compatibility issues, I've been told that the two memory types are meant to work together. And besides, it would explain why the 512MB chip itself wont work on its own. Thanks for your help btw.

07-01-2008, 04:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
vladimirb Hardware Team Tech Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina Posts: 1,447 OS: xp pro sp3, Server 2003 My System	Re: Weird Issue with computer No problem mate, anytime ^-^ __________________ Realm: Bronze Dragonflight - EU Undead Rogue --- Level 70 --- Spec: Combat Orc Shaman --- Level 70 --- Spec: Elemental Tauren Warrior --- Level 70 --- Spec: Protection Troll Priest --- Level 59 --- Spec: Shadow

07-01-2008, 05:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
minifhncc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP	Re: Weird Issue with computer Hi, It was actually PC4300 RAM, not PC3200, my mistake. But the weird thing is that I tried putting only the 256MB piece in, and it showed as 512MB of RAM on the system, AND IT BOOTED UP FINE! It must be wrong label or something? Also just before when I printing some stuff and surfing the net on it the computer just randomly restarted, why would that by caused? Anyway, I'll run that thing now and tell you of the results. Thanks a million. Last edited by minifhncc : 07-01-2008 at 05:53 PM.

07-01-2008, 06:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
minifhncc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 5 OS: Windows XP	Re: Weird Issue with computer Hi, There were no errors with the 256MB piece in memtest. But it did show that it was actually a 512MB piece, despite its label and it stated that the frequency of the RAM was 66 or something. Is that right? This is really weird, is there anything else I can do to test this? Once again, thanks alot. I really appreciate it.

07-03-2008, 12:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
wrench97 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,338 OS: XPSP2	Re: Weird Issue with computer Could we have your complete specs please If OEM Brand and Complete Model Number. If a Custom Build MotherBoard Brand. Model and Revision number CPU Power Supply Brand, Model, Total Watts, Amps on thr 12v Rail(s) Video Card Brand, Model Memory __________________