Computer Fails Memory Test

[georgencopy]

After a relatively stable six months I just updated the bios on my Asus A7N8X Deluxe mobo from version 1003 to 1007 using a built-in updating utility that came with the mobo.
Rebooted once, no problem.
Started to download updated audio drivers.
System crashed to BSOD "page_fault_in_nonpaged_area."
It rebooted to a black screen saying windows wasn't shut down properly, and that I should reset the CPU speed in the BIOS.
I did.
On save and restart it crashed to BSOD "page_fault_in_nonpaged_area" and will no longer post.
When I try to reboot it says, "System failed memory test."

How can I reboot to fix whatever went wrong?

A7N8X Deluxe
AMD 2700+
1 gig Corsair RAM
Windows XP sp1

 

[lobadobadingdong]

flash to the old bios and see if that fixes it.

 

[georgencopy]

Not to sound like a total 'tard, but uh, how do I do that from the BIOS screen?

 

[foofoo]

as far as i know, you need good memory to boot to dos flash a mb bios.
can you borrow any memory for the flash?
it could also be that your rm has gone bad but try reseating it and maybe another slot , maybe that will help.

good luck

 

[Matthias99]

Is it possible the motherboard reverted to some strange memory timing/speed settings when you flashed it? I doubt that you made a memory stick go bad by flashing the board... but if mucking with the memory settings doesn't help, you should try swapping it out. If you have multiple sticks of RAM, try running one at a time.

 

[lucky9]

Get out your mobo docs and go over them first to make sure that you didn't need to set a jumper or something before the flash. There should be a, my mobo calls it a configuration jumper, that should allow a reburn of the BIOS from DOS and the A: drive. Reseat the RAM.

The possibility that there is something in the BIOS that won't run your setup in the default state is a real one also.

 

[LordOfAll]

you could try and reset the cmos. look in your mb manual and find the jumper for doing so.

 

[georgencopy]

First, thanks to all of you for your help.
I tried almost everything that was suggested and it helped hugely.
I offer up the following in case anybody else has a similar fate befall them.

You can skip the saga if you don't want a good laugh, but at least glance at the lessons learned.

The Saga
Reflashed the BIOS with a diskette so I could get the machine to boot a CD recovery disk.
Changed boot order in BIOS to boot from CD first.
Computer crashes after F10 Save & Exit.

Reset the CMOS by removing battery and diddling jumpers.
Computer posts, but still won't boot CD or HDD0.
Any change in BIOS results in "computer failed memory test."

Reset CMOS.
With the help of ASUS tech support (second level tech) reset the memory timings.
Computer posts!
Booted CD, reinstalled OS, backed up remaining files.
Wiped and repartitioned drive.
Reloaded everything.
Been crash-free for a week running at half speed.

Lessons Learned
(You've heard it a million times, but do it. You'll save yourself the week I lost.)

1) Back up yours files
2) Ghost (or make some kind of snapshot of your system when it's working well and save it)
3) Make a recovery disk
4) Keep all your drivers current
5) Partition your hard disk as soon as you install it: make a partition for the OS and apps [10 gigs or so] a partition for your utilities [10 gigs or so] and a big fat partition for your files--don't just dump all your stuff on a big drive like I did because after your computer blows up the OS goes into hiding
6) Get familiar with message boards like this; these people will save you