Memory problems

watido8879 · 07-22-2008, 04:54 PM

Microsoft Windows XP
Media Center Edition
Version 2002
Service Pack 3
HP Pavilion a1514n
Pentium 4 CPU 3.06GHz
960 MB of RAM

My problem started out a few months ago where the computer would randomly crash and freeze. I would have to restart the computer for it to get back to normal. I had Google desktop installed at the time and noticed my memory was at 70% even when computer was idle. Sometimes it would be as high as 96%. At the time my memory was 512mb with only 1 stick. I thought it might have been a software issue so I completely reinstalled XP and I still had the same problems.

I used Memtest86+ to see if anything was wrong with my memory but it all passed. Yesterday I installed more RAM (1x 1GB). My computer has 2 slots. I tried to have both the 512mb and 1gb installed but when I would turn the computer on, there would be vertical lines and squares that flash, and then the computer restarts and repeats the same thing.

I tried just the 1gb and that worked, memory goes from 47% at idle to 70% now. Why is memory usage so high even at idle? I want to also put my 512mb back in so it will be at 1.5gb but I do not know what is wrong.

Original 512mb memory is DDR2 PC2-4200 533 MHz
New 1gb memory is made by Kingston DDR2 PC2-5300 667 MHz. It says its compatible with 553MHz (PC2-4200).

Thanks for any help.

07-22-2008, 04:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
watido8879 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1 OS: XP Media Center Service Pack 3	Memory problems Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 3 HP Pavilion a1514n Pentium 4 CPU 3.06GHz 960 MB of RAM My problem started out a few months ago where the computer would randomly crash and freeze. I would have to restart the computer for it to get back to normal. I had Google desktop installed at the time and noticed my memory was at 70% even when computer was idle. Sometimes it would be as high as 96%. At the time my memory was 512mb with only 1 stick. I thought it might have been a software issue so I completely reinstalled XP and I still had the same problems. I used Memtest86+ to see if anything was wrong with my memory but it all passed. Yesterday I installed more RAM (1x 1GB). My computer has 2 slots. I tried to have both the 512mb and 1gb installed but when I would turn the computer on, there would be vertical lines and squares that flash, and then the computer restarts and repeats the same thing. I tried just the 1gb and that worked, memory goes from 47% at idle to 70% now. Why is memory usage so high even at idle? I want to also put my 512mb back in so it will be at 1.5gb but I do not know what is wrong. Original 512mb memory is DDR2 PC2-4200 533 MHz New 1gb memory is made by Kingston DDR2 PC2-5300 667 MHz. It says its compatible with 553MHz (PC2-4200). Thanks for any help.