Problem caused by new RAM?

I had 1GB RAM installed, and since then, now sometimes I notice when typing, the text seems to flicker to a very crisp sharp type. Is it like a power surge or something? Just the oddest thing, but last night when typing a message in Outlook Express, the typed word would flicker in quality of text. Know what I mean? Hard to describe, other than it's like as if settings were being played with with clearness? I'm sorry, maybe something you have to see. It's not doing it right now, of course, lol.

Thanks

 

I've seen this occur a number of times.

Can range from bad video driver, bad monitor cable, malfunctioning monitor, video card/machine overheating, PSU beginning to fail... and bad memory.

Is the newly installed memory the same speed/voltage as your other?

 

I'll attach before and after shots in 2 posts.
Using Everest and PC Wizzard.

Before
(at 1 GB RAM)

 

After
(at 2 GB RAM)

 

From what I understand, my 4 year old computer originally had 2 x 512 GB RAMs.
The fix it shop put in new 2 x 1 GB RAMs. He gave me a "trade in" for the old RAMs.

Total Bill (including taxes and trade in)
$101.68 Canadian Funds

Should I take it back into the fix-it shop?

 

I had no problems with the computer before I took it in for the extra RAM. The computer was in the shop for maybe a whole 15 minutes. So, I figured it may have been the result of the new RAM. Or, maybe just a coincidence. Grrrr, lol.

 

Not sure if you can or not. How about removing the brand new ram and see what happens? Installing and removing Ram is rather easy to do. Could probably even see how its done on you tube. I am sure there are TONS of video's on that process. Its how I learned to replace my cpu. Just followed the steps and installed my new cpu with out any problems. Made sure I watched a few different videos on the same subject just to be sure.

Just make sure to NEVER force the ram in. Pay Close attention to how it came out and make sure you put it back in the same way. I used a sticker on my ram as reference. Any reference will do. As long as its put back exactly how it was removed and Never forced.

 

I'm very not comfortable with doing that.
:-o

 

The easiest way to eliminate the RAM as a problem is to boot the computer with just one stick of RAM. Then swap them out untill you have tried each stick individually. If the problem exists with each stick of RAM, they are all defective, (very unlikely) or the problem lies elsewhere. If the problem exists with only one of the sticks of RAM, there, most likely, is the culprit.

You could try MemTest if you are unable to remove the RAM. http://majorgeeks.com/google_search...://majorgeeks.com;LP:1;FORID:11&hl=en&x=0&y=0

As you had a shop put in the RAM, and the problem started after that, you might want to contact them and see if they will check it out for you.

 

Two questions.

1. I tried downloading MemTest, however it says I have to pay for WinZip to open the file. Is there a free WinZip I can use?
2. How do I use MemTest? Do I just install, it does it's thing and gives me a report? Is it nice and simple like that?

Thanks!

 

A friend of a friend thinks the new RAM sticks are "bouncing in between the two". (I have 2 new 1 GB RAM)
Is this a concern? Should I take it back to the fix it shop? Or maybe it's because my computer is 4 years old?
Thanks!

 

I'd refer back to Fred_G's post regarding testing of each RAM module.
The shop should at least test it out for you for free since they messed it up.
They may even try a different brand of RAM that is more compatible.

 

I took the computer back to the shop, he tested the RAM, and says it's fine.
My screen still randomly flickers.

From what I understand....

He suggested that maybe my video card driver needs updating (ATI Radeon 9550). My computer was a thrown together one by another shop. I found the ATI website to be over my head.

He advised me to stop using Outlook Express, to uninstall my ISP Security software (says ISP's rank lowest in protection), to install AVG, AdAware and Spybot (those 2 of which my ISP said would conflict with their Security services) and to use XP Firewall.

Your thoughts?
Thanks!

 

Thank you VERY MUCH for your posts! I've printed out your replies so I may follow them.

My ISP is Cogeco, and they use "F-Secure".
http://www.cogeco.ca/en/security_products_info_o.html

 

Installed the updated driver, however I still have the same problem.....
For example, most visible against text in an e-mail or website. The text seems to flicker/flash to a thinner more crisp image quickly, back and forth, then all is well. Random.

I'll start working on the antivirus and firewall programs.

 

To Update

ISP Security - removed

AVG - installed
Spybot - installed
SpywareBlaster - installed
Comodo - both firewall and antivirus installed

I'm receiving several popups stating that the computer is trying to install "ScanSoft OmniPage SE 4.0".
It says, "The feature you are trying to use is on a CD-ROM or other removable disk that is not available. Insert the ScanSoft OmniPage SE 4.0 disk and click ok".

All I did was reboot the computer and run CCleaner.
The popups won't go away, how can I resolve this? I don't even know what it is! lol
Thanks.

 

You may want to consider running this. Just to rule things out.

 

I see that you have 2 antivirus installed one being AVG and the other from Comodo. You should only have 1, since they may conflict with each other.

 

Woah, are we moving away from the topic?

Did the shop try your machine and see the flickering? Or did they just pull the RAM out of your machine and tried it in one of theirs?

 

It's just that going a bit off topic can kill the thread/original problem. ("ahh he fixed the problem with multiple AV programs so everything must be ok now")

Oh, all I saw was:

So if the shop actually saw the flickering problem then they possibly could have done a better job of analyzing. Just seems rather obvious that the only thing changed was adding new RAM and it screwed up his machine.

But if I missed something else in the thread, sorry!

 

Tested the RAM from within his machine or took the RAM out of his machine and tested it on the shop's machine? Makes a huge difference.

It doesn't sound like the shop actually looked at his machine close enough. Memtest will only reveal a problem if the test ran for hours at a time. The quick test won't do enough, mostly if OP reported that the problem occurs randomly.

But anyways, the problem may not even be memory.

 

Damnit, ya know, thinking back, I may have deleted the ScanSoft while trying to clean up the computer of unwanted programs due to lagging. Obviously I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing.
Yes, I have an Epson Printer/Scanner, next time I get the prompt, I'll try it's CD, or maybe just re-install the scanner.
Thank you!
(Just finished a complete scan from AVG, says the computer is clean).

No worries, that's how I understood it too, but Comodo was recommended to me here, .... complete with a nice detailed explanation.

Sorry, didn't mean to move off topic, everything has been in sequence of what has happened since I've had the extra RAM installed and experienced problems. I didn't realize until later that all the shop did was use a program to test the RAM. As far as I know they didn't pull the RAM out, or look for flickering. I was there about a half hour. No charge.

I updated the ATI Radeon driver once I got the computer home and I still saw some flickering. I've uninstalled my ISP's security program and installed other security programs, even checked my plug on the monitor just in case, also unplugged and plugged it back in, just in case... so far tonight no flickering.

Thanks to all for your replies! I'll continue with scanning (AVG is clean, Spybot, etc.) and see if there's any more flickering.
:wave

 

From your screen shots, you had 512 meg PC2700 Clarity 2.5 and the shop installed OCZ 400 MHZ PC3200 clarity 3.0.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=100189
View attachment 100189

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=100191
View attachment 100191

I tried this same memory in my wife's machine (Compaq) and it did not digest it AT all. I had a terrible time with OCZ, for they had me ship it to them and they sent me "premium" memory instead. The OCZ reply was that I "needed upgrade of the machine anyway." After much angst and trials, I finally OCZ to ship me some of the original memory I ordered and I replaced with another brand. The retailer was quite helpful and did not charge me to ship the sticks back.

 

No big deal being off topic, I just did not want you to get disappointed if we did not find a resolution for your original problem by fixing other stuff.

Oh also, do you know what kind of motherboard is in your machine? (via Everest) Some motherboards do not handle different types of RAM very well.

 

Fixed, thank you!
I uninstalled all Epson Printer/Scanner entries I found within add/remove, as well as the ScanSoft OmniPage entry (I thought I had accidently deleted that entry from the beginning? lol).
Reboot, ran CCleaner.
Installed my printer again. During printer installation, the same ScanSoft popups appeared. I repeatedly had to click on Cancel to quit the ScanSoft from what always turned out to be a dead end road anyways, lol. It was as though the ScanSoft was stuck in a loop.
I rebooted, ran CCleaner again and it all seemed to work itself out.

 

Thank you.

I've attached a screenshot from Everest, please let me know if I clicked on the correct area for the information you've requested.

(Side Note: I've had the computer on for about an hour and a half, and so far no flickering! Woohhhooo! ?????? lol)
:confused
I've completed my scans from AVG, etc., they say the computer is clean. I'll start this as well http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407 .

 

Well, dunno how to explain this, but I've yet to see the flickering! It's been a couple of days, and all is well ??? lol
:-D

Everyone, THANK YOU so very much for your help!