DRAM beep errors; anything other than DRAM?

[pepsimax2k]

Hey all. Background first:

My PC's an old 2500+ XP (oc'd a bit too), one RAM stick (out of 3) had a few errors in mem test ages ago, the thing's not averse to a CTD every now n then (primarily graphics related i thought).
Few weeks ago started getting graphical errors in games (see http://www.inaudible.co.uk/temp/bpaint2.jpg ) only happened twice, once in BF2, once in BF1942, thought it was graphics card as it's never really loved me.
Week ago the entire desktop froze. No bsod, no reboot, just frozen. Never happened before. Rebooted and was fine.

Now, yesterday got a freeze again. Rebooted and bam, continuous long single beeps from Award bios. apparently "DRAM Error". Tried switching the sticks around, using one, using only slots 1, 2, 3... same beep code. Tried the sticks in another PC and they memtest86 fine. I'm about to try other PCs sticks in main one but...

Is a DRAM Error code, which clearly isn't anything to do with error'd DRAM, ever gonna be anything other than a dead mobo? Like possibly corrupt bios (there's two on there though) or corrupt bios settings (should I try remove battery for a while)? Or could it be the CPU or Graphics (bios code just lies?). Or is it finally time to upgrade (woohoo)? Thanks, pepsi_max2k.

 

[OCChronic]

Obviously, trying to reset the CMOS is where you should start. Also insert only 1 stick of RAM into the slot closest to the chipset until you get a boot screen. Test each additional stick separately until you find the bad one using Memtest86.

I think you have degrading RAM on your hands and new RAM may be in order. If you can get into the BIOS after resetting CMOS then relax your memory timings and make sure that the votage to the RAM as well as the other CPU parameters are set right. Any errors in Memtest aren't good and shouldn't be tolerated as you are asking for file corruption BSOD's to happen sooner or later.