Crucial RAM keeps going bad

[leeland]

I originally purchased 4 gb's of Crucial ballistics ram when I built my computer around 1 1/2 years ago...(don't have the exact type at the moment)

about 6 months after it was running, I got issues with it not booting and discovered that 2 of the memory modules had gone bad and I chalked it up to just a random thing...

I RMA'd them back and got 2 new sticks...

Then about 4-6 months later I had the same issues...and it was the older of the two sticks of RAM...

One was totally toast and the other would work on and off so I RMA'd them both back...

SO...I had 4 new sticks of RAM as a result.

Well this weekend I started getting a Blue screen randomly...

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

I got MEMTEST 86 loaded on a CD but was curious if I should take all the RAM out and test each stick independent...

Also, it is annoying that a "quality" name brand like Crucial could have multiple failures as I haven't ever had an issue like this before.

I am not OC'ing anything at the moment nor have I for quite some time and cooling is adequate. I believe all the BIOS settings are default outside of some settings for the Hard Drives.

Could it possibly be a result of incorrect memory timings that would cause RAM to go bad?


Thanks in advance for any posts

Lee

 

[Old Hippie]

I originally purchased 4 gb's of Crucial ballistics ram

It's not you.

They produced a bunch of bad stuff.

Just be glad their RMAs are easy!

 

[18 Is Number 1]

Please be aware that new Ballistix run at 2.0v.

 

[leeland]

Originally posted by: 18 Is Number 1
Please be aware that new Ballistix run at 2.0v.

stupid question probably but the risk not running @ 2.0v's is? Damaging the memory or just causing instability or both?

I haven't mettled with too many of the BOIS settings, and would have to double check what the current memory voltage is set to...it at the default / auto settings I am assuming now.




Lastly, is MEMTEST86 the best app for discovering / diagnosing faulty memory?

If so is it best to test one stick at a time (I would assume so but I hate to assume)


Thanks,
Lee

 

[Denithor]

I would test all four at once first just to see if you get errors at all. If you do, then isolate the bad stick by testing individually. And once you find a stick that gives errors, move it to a different slot on the motherboard to make sure it's not your motherboard giving errors instead of the memory.

 

[leeland]

Originally posted by: Denithor
I would test all four at once first just to see if you get errors at all. If you do, then isolate the bad stick by testing individually. And once you find a stick that gives errors, move it to a different slot on the motherboard to make sure it's not your motherboard giving errors instead of the memory.

I tried to test with all 4 sticks in last night...

I got the MEMTEST86 running after rebooting and it went into the test, but it just kept on looping on TEST 2 like an infinite loop...

I would assume it should show some sort of progression (First time I have used MEMTRST86)


Anyways...I was going to try it both ways to see if something different happened running 1 stick vs. 4 sticks...

 

[18 Is Number 1]

Originally posted by: leeland

Originally posted by: 18 Is Number 1
not running @ 2.0v's is? Damaging the memory or just causing instability or both?

I haven't mettled with too many of the BOIS settings, and would have to double check what the current memory voltage is set to...it at the default / auto settings I am assuming now.
Lastly, is MEMTEST86 the best app for discovering / diagnosing faulty memory?
Thanks,
Lee

Higher than 2,0 risks damage. Lower risks errors. Don't run auto (it may stay at 1.8v). Make sure of 2.0v
Yes Memtest is the best way.

 

[leeland]

Originally posted by: 18 Is Number 1

Originally posted by: leeland

Originally posted by: 18 Is Number 1
not running @ 2.0v's is? Damaging the memory or just causing instability or both?

I haven't mettled with too many of the BOIS settings, and would have to double check what the current memory voltage is set to...it at the default / auto settings I am assuming now.
Lastly, is MEMTEST86 the best app for discovering / diagnosing faulty memory?
Thanks,
Lee

Higher than 2,0 risks damage. Lower risks errors. Don't run auto (it may stay at 1.8v). Make sure of 2.0v
Yes Memtest is the best way.

Thanks for the information and for the knowledge transfer about the memory settings...

I recall setting them manually the first time I set up the computer but once I got the first set of bad memory I left everything default.

I went back into the BIOS and followed an online guide to manually set the RAM timings and voltage.

I ran MEMTEST86 and it completed without errors so now I am back at square one hoping everything is ok and it was just a config problem on my part all along


Thanks again for the post it was very helpful man!

Lee