RAM Test results

Hi,

I am trying to resurrect my old desktop PC running WinXP after the death of my notebook. The PC was fitted with only 512Mb of RAM and so I have purchased 2 modules of DDR400 PC3200 Micron RAM.

My first issue is that the computer won't boot up if both modules are installed. I am allowed a maximum of 2Gb RAM in my system incidentally. The only configuration that enables the PC to boot is if 1Gb is inserted into slot 2 in the motherboard (Asrock K7VT4A+). Is it likely that there is a hardware fault with the motherboard?

Secondly, I have been getting some error reports on booting up when in this configuration. As a result I have been advised to remove recently installed hardware etc. and to check the RAM module. I have run windiag on the more indepth mode overnight and have 1 result returned on pass 10. The details of this are as follows:
Test - LRAND
Cache - On
Address - 312a1098
Expected - 0a094587
Actual - 0a084587

Does this result indicate a module that is still usable? Is it repairable or is it destined to be thrown out?

I am aware that the system I am resurrecting is old and tired but it is just to fulfil a purpose until a new system can be afforded.

Many thanks if anyone can help.

Gingerninja

 

What happens if you only put one module in slot 1?

Do you get any "beep codes" when you boot or does the screen just remain blank?

Please also download and burn to CD http://www.memtest.org/ and run it for at least 12 hours in whatever configuration works. This will test the memory stick to see if it is OK. You can stop the test if you start seeing errors, just write down one or two errors and post them here (if you get any)

 

Thanks for your reply,

I tried with the setup of the RAM that was in slot 2 put into slot 1. All seemed like it was going well with the standard beep, and boot up went through to the black screen with the microsoft logo. Sadly though the PC stopped booting and proceeded to reset itself (i.e. turn itself off and on again). This happened again twice and on the third time the microsoft logo screen failed to arrive and I'm left with a black screen. I tried putting my other RAM module in slot 2 on its own with the same result of no microsoft logo screen. This is the same result with the original RAM module pout back into slot 2 as per the original configuration! What can I do?

The Bios screens all appear for me when selected but windows doesn't want to load anymore.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

We need to diagnose your memory problems first.

Please download and burn to CD http://www.memtest.org/ and run it for at least 12 hours with the first RAM stick in slot 2. This will test the memory stick to see if it is OK. You can stop the test if you start seeing errors, just write down one or two errors and post them here (if you get any)

Then please repeat the test with stick number 2 in slot 2.

 

One slight issue is that the PC that isn't working is my only means of burning CDs. I am currently typing this on my girlfriends netbook which has no optical drive on it.

 

memtest also have a program to compile & install a bootable version of memtest on a USB stick, if you have one of those.

 

Ok. Will give it a go.

I meant to mention that I tried putting the original 512Mb RAM module into slot 2 with the same problem. The 512Mb RAM was working fine before and I only tried using 1Gb RAM to improve performance. Not sure if this helps rule out bad RAM as being the problem and some other hardware or software being the problem instead.

Will try the USB version of memtest either way and get back to you tomorrow.

Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.

 

Just a quick update,

Eventually I managed to get the USB version of Memtest86+ to work by reformatting the USB stick in FAT rather than FAT32. The program failed to boot otherwise.

I have now tested the 512MB RAM module in slot 1 on its own (as happened to be the configuration at the time) with no errors.

I then tested the 1GB RAM stick in slot 2 on its own for 12 hours and once again had no errors.

I have now gone 6 hours with the 2nd stick of 1GB RAM in slot 2 and have no errors as yet.

So if the RAM modules are sound then what is causing the failure of windows to boot? Am I looking at a faulty HDD? Is there a way to test this?

Sorry if I'm jumping the gun a bit! Just a little frustrated.

Thanks for your help Collinsl

Gingerninja

 

It is possible that as you have a faulty RAM slot you might also have other faulty components on the motherboard, as the RAM and HDD all end up tying together. I would suggest that you investigate getting the motherboard replaced.

 

I feared that might be the case.

Since the system is pretty old I'm thinking of getting a new system built. The old one was put together by an independent shop in Brighton. I've moved to East Dorset now and was wondering if you new of anywhere decent on the south coast between you (Portsmouth?)and me who would do the same for me this time. I generally like to avoid going to the big name retailers - rightly or wrongly.

I'm not entirely confident of my PC building skills but if I were to invest simply in a new motherboard, would I also need to purchase a new processor, fan and PSU too? How easy is it really to connect everything together? I see a load of small cables from the mobo to the card reader and the usb ports in the old system for example and I suspect these are quite easy to mess up.

Thanks again for your help with this

 

I personally do not know the area well enough to advise you on this as I don't get outside of Portsmouth much being only a poor student with no car who was not originally from the area.

I can however recommend PCSpecialist.co.uk who are a computer building company in the UK. I used them for my laptop and could not be more happy. They will build the computer to (roughly) your specification and as such you can control the price a lot more closely than in the large retail stores. Their prices are lower in comparison anyway than the large retail stores.

It might be necessary to purchase other new parts if you can't find a motherboard with the same CPU (processor) socket. These would likely be the CPU (which if retail boxed should come with a heatsink and fan), the RAM (as this will be an updated model nowadays) and possibly the PSU as you say. However, it should be fairly easily possible to find a second-hand replacement motherboard with the same specs on eBay or similar if you wish to take that route.

Building/repairing PCs is easier than people think most of the time. 95% of connectors in a PC can only fit one way round in the plugs/sockets, and are of different sizes/shapes so they are obvious where they go. The problems lie when (usually cheap) case manufacturers use single-plug-ended wires instead of grouping them together. This happens occasionally with internal USB cables.

And, if something does go wrong, it is unlikely that you will cause any lasting damage with most components.

No problem, it's what we're here for

 

Great,

Thanks once again Collinsl.

All the best,

Gingerninja