Trouble with RAM installation

I'm trying to improve the performance of my aunt's computer. She was running Windows XP Home SP3 with only 258 MB of RAM, so I searched online with both Dell and Crucial.com to make sure that I was buying the right product.

I installed the RAM without incident, and it started up and ran beautifully. However, it now encounters multiple instances of "[any program] has encountered a problem and needs to close" and then BSOD errors seemingly at random. When I chose to report the error, Microsoft sometimes blames it on a driver.

BSOD includes errors such as "problem caused by Win32k.sys" "Page_fault_in_nonpaged_area" and "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" but sometimes it doesn't come up with anything.

I'm searching the internet for options, but it seems to be a big mysterious problem related to the RAM. I'll take any ideas I can get on this and give you whatever information you need. Currently, fewer programs are crashing but the BSOD still happens either immediately after login or while I'm simply opening and closing windows and starting programs.

 

While I'm sure that Crucial and Dell provided the correct info as to memory type to buy, did you check to see the maximum amount that the motherboard can support? I have seen computers that will error and freeze when the max amount of memory is installed, even though motherboard specs says that it is supported, and going to slightly less than the max amount solves the problem.

First suggestion would be to use this, http://www.majorgeeks.com/Memtest86_d4226.html. Let it run for several passes. Hope this helps!

Welcome to Major Geeks!

 

She has a Dell Dimension 2400; Dell lists the total memory as 2048 and I added 1 GB of ram to her 258 MB. I was considering buying her more RAM if this worked out, but at this rate I'll be happy just to make this one work.

I bought one that was PC 3200, when it was previously using 2700. Supposedly, they should work together, just at the lesser speed--but would that cause problems? require specific setup? I'm currently using just the new RAM, but it still goes BSOD even though the program errors seem to have quieted down.

It seems to work just fine in Safe Mode, but I've had some trouble getting into Normal Mode because it usually hits the BSOD.

 

Simple RAM troubleshooting: Take out the Crucial parts. Does the problem go away? If the problem went away, test the Crucial parts one by one, with no other memory in the computer.

Inconsistent and random blue-screens going all over the map are a classic symptom of bad memory modules. They happen sometimes, that's why manufacturers offer warranties. Crucial gives warranties for the life of the part, once you know which memory stick is the bad one, just call them and tell them, and they'll replace it for you.

 

Okay, ignore my previous post, you posted more info while I was typing it. If it's running on the Crucial memory but is crashing to bluescreens only in normal mode, you are more likely to have a driver problem. Take notes from the bluescreen error messages which driver it's pointing to.

 

So far the errors that I have noted include:

problem caused by Win32k.sys
Page_fault_in_nonpaged_area
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Microsoft has not pointed to any particular driver, and the RAM is the only new product in the machine.

I'll run the Memtest86 if that will help at all. I'm just a little foggy on how to run it--write the iso to disk, set computer to start from CDROM, and just let it go? Or do I have to choose a test?

Thanks for helping!

 

You need to burn the iso as an image. If you don't know how to do that, download ImgBurn, and follow the prompts on the screen. Very easy. Then just leave the CD in the drive and reboot the computer. It will boot right to the test and run it without ever loading anything on the hard drive.

If it doesn't, go into BIOS setup and change the boot order to put the CD drive first, then reboot again.

Do you know how to change the paging file size? You may have to adjust it after changing the amount of memory.

 

Paging file size is listed under virtual memory? or is it under bios? I didn't know that I had to change it, but I can.

 

Page file is another name for virtual memory, so if you know where your virtual memory settings are, then just go there and set initial and maximum size to 2048MB. Reboot, see if problems go away.

 

Using just the new ram may be causing your problem. Try installing the original ram chip, in addition with the new, and see if the errors go away. The newer chip operates at a faster FSB speed and may be causing the problem, causing the FSB to be overclocked versus the BIOS setting. Installing the old with the new should slow the newest to the old speed.

 

It actually goes the other way around. if you install a module clocked higher than the FSB the memory clocks down. FSB clock is fixed and will not go up unless you manually over-clock your system -- not an option in a Dimension 2400.

 

I was running with both the old and new, leaving the old right where it was and putting the new in the empty slot. I removed the old one after I had several BSOD and the other problems, wondering if it was some kind of conflict, and put the new one in the old one's original slot.

I was going to let Memtest run, but I'll see if I can adjust the virtual memory now.

It has another trick it's doing now--I tried starting the anti-virus user interface just to try opening something, and a box popped up saying the system had to shut down. "Shutdown initiated by NT Authority\System."

 

After you've tried the virtual memory, take the new one out and put the old one back in. If all problems go away, don't bother with another memtest, just ask Crucial for an RMA for the memory.

 

Please pardon my error!

 

So it's basically easier just to try a different unit of RAM than to keep this up. *facepalm* Okay then, if I try this again, should I buy directly from Dell to make sure it works? Should it match the PC2700 of the other card?

 

Not necessarily easier, but it will get you towards a solution faster.

You don't have to match the PC2700, the 2400 can run PC3200 memory without problems. Frankly, the most likely explanation is that you were unlucky, and you have a bad memory module on your hands. One of the more vicious sides of computing is that you always, no matter which component you are working with, have a 1% risk of part failure for no good reason whatsoever other than to spite you. That's why manufacturers offer warranties, because they know these things happen.

Oh, and don't buy memory from Dell, or ever buy from a computer manufacturer. They buy it from the big RAM vendors, put their own brand on it, and then they mark it up. Dell gets their RAM from Kingston and Crucial. You can of course buy from whoever you want, but if I remember right, Crucial will replace that part for you if you call them and tell you of your problems, and that might be easier than starting the whole process over with another company. Up to you in the end of course.

EDIT:
I'm about to head out for a couple of hours (errands and whatnot) but I'll check in again when I get back, if you run into more issues or anything changes on your end.

 

*sigh*

I was a little nervous about installing RAM for someone else, so I looked up all the guides and articles I could find. None of them ever mentioned anything like this. My RAM installation worked instantly without a single murmur of complaint. Bah, whatever. I'll let MemTest finish and reinstall the old memory. If it still crashes... I guess I'll be back. If not, I'll be off working on that refund.

 

Whatever happens, the important thing is to resist the desire to kick it.

Post back if the problems continue, as the edit in my last post says, I'll check back here once my errands are done, and see how things are going.

 

MemTest seems to be finding lots of errors with only the new one installed. I'm not really sure how to read the results, but there's lots of red on the screen. Can I attach a picture of the screen (does MajorGeeks allow that)?

Also, if I get a good unit of RAM, it won't do this again? That would make me ridiculously happy.

 

I recently mixed two different RAm sticks and all seemed well. Some time after everytime I played a video or music my screen would start to black in and out. Drove me crazy. I was sure I had some sort of video driver conflict. Worked on it for weeks will no results. Remembered the RAM and thought I'd just try it before formatting the HD. BAM! Problem went away and that seems to be the only problem. So you never no. Does sound like you might have a bad stick though. Good luck.

 

Yes, MGs allows that. Below Quick Reply, click on the button Go Advanced, and then click on the button "Manage Attachments" below the test file and Post Icons. It looks like this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/ChiliCat/uploadfile.jpg

That's an old picture hosted in my Photobucket account since I'm lazy and it was easier that way.

Correct. If you get this bad one replaced with a good one, all problems should end. The fact memtest turned bright red proves the module is bad. that is in a way good, because a bad memory module is a problem that is comparatively easy to fix. You just RMA the thing, and you'll be all set and back to normal again.

 

Here is the MemTest picture (Had to shrink it way down to meet size because of my camera settings, but still clear picture). I couldn't quite figure out how to scroll, but from what I've been reading any error is one too many.

I removed the unit, and the problems vanished so far--except the problem of the computer being pretty painfully slow. I'll be choosing to replace this one so I can still upgrade.

 

Good choice. Once again, the cheapest option is to let Crucial replace it. I've done business with them in the past, and they always treated me well.

If you're not okay with that, return it and get your money back, and move on to greener pastures.