Memory, or software, or something else???

I did a fresh install on my pc but everytime I try to install larger programs like nero or my printer program cd my computer screen goes fuzzy like it crashed. The only thing I have installed new on this pc is memory 4x1gb gskill 6400 ddr2 ram and xp pro ( my pc has xp media center ed. prior). My pc is a Gateway GT5220 with prior memory of 512mbx2 at 4200 of ddr2 unsure about brand- possibly samsung. I also had an incident with my dvd drive literlly tearing a windows office cd up and changed that dvd driv part to a i/o magic thinking this may be why my pc was crashing, but had no difference. I even got all updates prior to installing anything but ZA, windows and the sp2 cd update. I also get a hickups of like 30 sec. after ZA starts up, but still get crashes with it turned off. Lastly my 4gb register at 2.8gb. I ran a memory checker (the one u put on a cd and run prior to starup) and everything came out fine and it states I have over the 4gb mark installed and I checked crucial and with gateway and both said I can run the 6400 ddr2 4 sicks of 1gb each on my pc. Any ideas?
I got a 600 watt PSU if that is also needed. Not sure on windows 32 or 64, probably 32.

 

Right-click in My Computer and select Properties. The first window that pops up tells you which operating system you have installed. If it doesn't say whether you have 32-bit or 64-bit, then you have 32-bit.

Have you checked to make sure you have enough hard drive space to install new programs? Have you tested the Gskill memory two sticks at a time, and did the computer report 2GB both times? Also, you don't say anything about your graphics card. Brand, model, driver..?

 

I was able to solve the memory problem, by doing what u said, i had to install two in one matching colored slots, then the other after rebooting, and now it reads 3.7 gb.

I still need to see about whether ZA can be solved with some kind of update and also if this solves my constant crashes. I'll post back on that after a few attempts.

 

I did what was suggested and the memory reads at 3.7gb now, which seems correct. I updated ZA which looks to have stopped the lag and has brought it down to 1 to 2 sec.

I still have the crash though. I tried to intall nero again and my printer cd software with consistent crashing.

I found my motherboard Manufacturer ELITEGROUP model C51PVGM-GB and looked it up online with little info. The memory seems to be supported for this pc.

Any ideas on why my pc crashes when trying to install larger or longer (time wise) installs.

 

So you only get crashes when trying to do installs that take a while? Hm. Do you, by chance, happen to have another hard drive around that you can use instead, to rule out whether the one you are using now is the cause of your problems?

 

mimsy i just went out yest. to buy another one. Cause I read on another post that that could be one of the reasons. I kinda hope it is cause then I am out only a 250GB hard drive. I will do what u have suggested tonight, hope it all sorts itself out. I also used that mem test and ran it for 3 hours and got no failures so I don't believe it's the ram. Their was a message that said wmd (the program initials i am guessing) could not start or run properly or fully cause I had over 4GB insatalled. Don't know if that matters.

 

I did a fresh intall on a different hd. My memory now reads at 3.3 gb and I don't want to mess with it just in case. I also noticed that it may have been that both the dvd and hd were connected with the same connector cable-ide. They were put on correctly as master/slave but I am sure this was the cause, I just didn't notice for some really stupid reason...dumb, I know. Everything is working great now. Still not sure if it was the ide cable connecting to same device, or memory (cause it reads at 3.3 now), but know it wasn't the new dvd drive, or the ide cable itself cause I am using it now with success. Anyone who wants to give some input on which of these two is the likely problem, it would be great. Esp. since I had to move my movies to the original drive (the one that may be bad) cause I had no room at the time, and if it is good I'd like to use it as an ext. drive and get a case for it.