Memory Parity Error

Desperately seeking any assistance.

Computer was working just fine. I went away on vacation two weeks ago. Turned it off and unplugged it before I left. Turned it back on when I came home last weekend and I got a BSOD and "Memory Parity Error", "System Halted".

When I shut down, then turn it back on, I can get in to Safe Mode (which I figure is at least better then not getting anything), but no matter what I've tried, I keep getting the parity error.

After net research, I've tried the following during the past week, with no results:

Cleaning the dust out
Reseating the memory
Switching out the memory from a working computer (made sure it used the same type)
Unchecking the "Exists in all profiles" in the Display Adapters (per a suggestion in a Microsoft.com Help page relating to an ATI Video Driver- it was for Windows 98, but I figured I'd give it a shot)
Replacing the battery
Clearing the CMOS and setting BIOS to default (no idea if I did this correctly, though)

What's weird is, I've had this happen before, quite possibly the last time I went on vacation (about the same time last year). But I can't remember how I fixed it. I do remember changing the battery within the last year or two. I've also used System Restore to fix things once or twice in the last couple of years. Problem with that is (and I'm embarrassed to admit this), turns out I've apparently uninstalled PCHealth/System Restore/Help and Troubleshooting. Don't ask me how, I was not at all impressed with myself when I realized what I'd done and I'll worry about reinstalling that later.

Here's what I'm working with (if more info is needed, just let me know, not sure what's important):

Dell Dimension L988r
Windows ME
Pentium 3
Memory 384 SDRAM

I do have a Startup Disk, but I don't have (or at least, can't find) a Windows ME OS CD.

I'm moderately competent at working with the computer (I've managed to do things like add memory - granted that's not that hard - and upgrade the video card - which was a nightmare, but I survived) although I'm not that great with proper terms. I am game to try to fix it, though. Any suggestions gratefully welcomed. Thanks!

 

If you havent, enter bios on start up, this will let it memorize it again, if you have, try only one ram stick at a time, and enter bios at each change, just save and exit. If that dont work, read this,

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/232768

 

tunered, thanks for the suggestions!

I'd tried the Microsoft fix previously, that unfortunately didn't work out.

Just got a chance to try entering BIOS with one memory stick at a time. Each time it was recognized and even both in, it recognized the correct memory, but trying to restart the computer afterwards, with either one stick, or both, I keep getting the parity error.

Anything else I might try?

Thanks!

 

Have you, or did you update or install a new video driver lately? ed

 

Nope, haven't updated it recently. I just checked the site and there's a newer one up. I'm going to have to get a cd burner hooked up to this computer tomorrow and see if I can get it on a disk.

Will report back.

 

Dell specification for your memory

Memory
Architecture non-ECC SDRAM 168-pin modules
DIMM sockets two; gold contacts
DIMM capacities 32, 64, 128, 256, and 512 MB
Minimum RAM 32 MB (64 MB for systems running Microsoft� Windows NT�)1
Maximum RAM 512 MB
Frequency 100 MHz
Clock cycle 10 ns (supports four clocks only)
CAS latency three
SPD revision 1.2
Buffering unbuffered
Voltage 3.3 V
Data bus width 64 bits
BIOS address F0000h
1 Video memory uses 1 or 2 MB of system memory (RAM). Total RAM reported is 1 or 2 MB less than RAM installed.


It does not appear to use Parity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Try this

After an error you can't rest the bios directly, but have to 'unlock' the reset by changing the "reset config data" in the advanced tab of the bios (setup) to yes. Once you restart this setting is relocked to no.

Clearing NVRAM
To clear NVRAM for all devices and restart the system, perform the following steps:

Enter the system setup program.


Press the right-arrow key to move to the Advanced menu.


Press the down-arrow key to highlight the Boot Configuration submenu, and press <Enter>.


Press the down-arrow key to highlight Reset Config Data. Then change the setting to Yes.


Press <F10> to exit the program and restart the system.

The config defaults will be reset

 

And my desktop appears, as if by magic. studiot, you are my hero! Thank you so much!

But (there's always a but isn't there?) there was good news, and there was bad news.

The good news is I can get back to the regular desktop (which is actually great news).

The bad news is I got the parity error again as soon as I put the ethernet card back in (I'd taken it out to put in the spare so I could get online; it actually didn't work so I ended up buying a USB adapter. I thought at the time that it was just a conflict between Win ME/XP). So I eventually ended up taking the ethernet card out completely again and the computer started fine. I still couldn't get online though - the USB adapter wasn't working in the ME (I think it's a USB 2.0 issue, I've had problems before with this computer).

So off I went to the store, bought a new ethernet card, installed it and memory parity error. It's at this point that I realize it's got to be the slot itself. Sure enough, I switched out the phone modem slot (which I don't use) with the old ethernet card (the new card set up didn't include drivers for WinME, despite claiming to), left the slot the ethernet card used to be in blank and the computer started fine.

My problem now is that I still can't get online. It's got to be a set up issue, I'm sure I'm missing something simple, but I'll call Comcast later.

For now, I'm just thrilled to have my computer back, at least mostly. I can still get online with the USB adapter on the XP computer, at least (the new ethernet card doesn't work in here, either...)

So again, thanks again for all the help!

 

Glad to help.
Post again if you need more.