Unstable Memory Sticks?

[roadman]

I took my computer into the shop because I received a BSOD. It's a Pentium 4 Windows 2000 OS

Here's what the tech's response was.

System had intermettent problems on startup, either giving errors, not POSTing at all or booting to Windows and locking with artifacts on screen. Reduced sytem memory t only 1 module of memory, system booted and ran slowly but without problems(using the one that is currently installed closet to the CPU-received intermittent problems using both of the other ones. After extensive testing with just one installed, reinstalle the remaining 2 and had no problems after that. There may be intermittent physical failures in the 2nd and 3rd membory module(could not determine with 100% accuracy), or there may have just been a problem with memory from the 2nd and 3rd slots to see if the problem stop.

I brought it home and I discovered it was crashing to the desktop or giving me a blue screen. So, I called the tech back up and he said, try removing the 3rd memory stick on the right. See if runs stable after that. If it isn't stable, remove the second memory stick and put the other stick in the same slot.

Well, I tried several different times and I could barely boot to Windows, even with the only reliable stick in place. I'm about at wits end.

How many memory sticks should I buy? My bro in law put the computer togather, I'll call to verify it's 512MB.

I asked the tech if the new memory sticks don't work, could it be the mobo. He said quite possibly. That's a road I really hope I don't travel.

Thanks for any assistance in advance.

[shugknight]

Re: Unstable Memory Sticks?

If its the memory, most memory comes with a lifetime warranty that can have them easily replaced. If you don't have anything important on the computer, I would suggest to just install a different OS on there, preferablly Windows XP.

As much as the tech guy thinks its a memory problem, it just maybe due to a system failure. I've had those with Win 2k. Did he reinstall windows? or did he just remove the memory?

If it still gives you problems, then its probably a hardware problem. How old is the PC?

[roadman]

Re: Unstable Memory Sticks?

If its the memory, most memory comes with a lifetime warranty that can have them easily replaced. If you don't have anything important on the computer, I would suggest to just install a different OS on there, preferablly Windows XP.

As much as the tech guy thinks its a memory problem, it just maybe due to a system failure. I've had those with Win 2k. Did he reinstall windows? or did he just remove the memory?

If it still gives you problems, then its probably a hardware problem. How old is the PC?

He just removed the memory, that's all.

I have my work on this desktop PC and I've done the cardinal sin in not backing it up.

I'll have to find out from my brother in law how old everything is. He put it togather for me last year at this time, unfortunately, he's 4.5 hours away.

[shugknight]

Re: Unstable Memory Sticks?

He just removed the memory, that's all.

I have my work on this desktop PC and I've done the cardinal sin in not backing it up.

I'll have to find out from my brother in law how old everything is. He put it togather for me last year at this time, unfortunately, he's 4.5 hours away.

Do you currently have any antivirus and spyware software? I've gotten the BSOD simply because of viruses and spyware. Try rebooting in safe mode, and see how it runs. If its running ok, i would suggest to try and save anything important in safe mode, then reformat the whole PC.

Or run safe mode, then do a virus and spyware scan. If during these scans you get the BSOD, then you definately have a bad virus corrupting your system.

[roadman]

Re: Unstable Memory Sticks?

Yeah, I have avast.

I've noticed when I did boot all the way to Windows, I'd get a message of I'm running an older version of avast, something like vp3 or something like that.

Good point, I will try that. What's the key for Safe Mode?

[shugknight]

Re: Unstable Memory Sticks?

F8 during startup.

[roadman]

Re: Unstable Memory Sticks?

Well, it didn't stay in safe mode for long. It seemed like about 10 minutes before it crashed back to the desktop. I booted up in safe mode with networking and then had to go make dinner.

When I turned my back, I notice a floating signal, Intel Not Supported or something similiar. It's similiar to when I turn on the monitor, the monitor say, Not In Service.

This is all with one memory stick.

[ODogg]

Re: Unstable Memory Sticks?

Well, it didn't stay in safe mode for long. It seemed like about 10 before it crashed back to the desktop. I booted up in safe mode with networking and then had to go make dinner.

When I turned my back, I notice a floating signal, Intel Not Supported or something similiar. It's similiar to when I turn on the monitor, the monitor say, Not In Service.

This is all with one memory stick.

Welcome to my world, i've been having the same exact problems. I'm sending my computer back to Falcon but sad to say I believe it's the motherboard that's going to need replaced.

[roadman]

Re: Unstable Memory Sticks?

Welcome to my world, i've been having the same exact problems. I'm sending my computer back to Falcon but sad to say I believe it's the motherboard that's going to need replaced.

Yeah, I'm thinking it's the mobo as well.

[shugknight]

Re: Unstable Memory Sticks?

Ask your brother in law what kind of mobo he bought for you. He might have gone the cheap route, and bought a cheap mobo, but a good intel chip. Do you have your computer connected to a surge protector? Maybe it got fried during a T-storm...