Bad memory?

Here is the background to my problem. My computer first crashed, and then was dead - no post, no beeps, nothing. After removing one of the memory sticks, everything was fine and i figured that was the problem. Just to be sure, I swapped the position of the two memory sticks and powered up. This time the computer did boot, but windows xp would not load, and I received the error message "missing or corrupt system32\drivers\ntfs.sys". I took out the suspect stick and everything was fine again. Can this error be caused by bad memory?

 

I am sorry you are having that problem, "Seadogg"! I wish I could help you, but I will leave that to my MajorGeek friends. New memory is expensive, no? Especially when you buy it at Best Buy! Best Buy... ha! WORST Buy, I say! Go to Comp USA or somewhere even cheaper than that. Anyway, good luck with your problem, Love.

Abby

 

Is the problem shoing up only when that one memstick is in place? If so that is the problem. Depending on the requirements of your system, you can get off easy or not by replacing that memstick. But I agree, go to CompUSA or some computer parts retailer that is reliable. Best Buy is not in my opinion.

 

this error can definetly be caused by bad memory. can you verify that the correct amoutn of RAM is identified when you have the RAM in the slots that allow it to boot? (it will say how much is found at POST.)

if it correctly verifies the amount of RAM, try running Memtest86+ on 1 module at a time to see if you can find a bad one. Memtest is available HERE

the problem with windows not booting 'appears' to be a corruption of a few system files, which can be fixed in most cases by expanding soem files off of a windows disk, however if you can determine if your RAM is at fault, it would be the best first step, before tackling the windows boot.

 

It must have been bad memory - I bought a new stick and everythings fine (in fact better, since I bought a bigger stick).