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Errors with memtest86+

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duragezic

Lifer
So I bought 2x512mb PC3200 sticks from my cousin's comp since he likely cut a trace on the mobo while using a screwdriver to remove the cpu HSF, and was parting out everything else so he can buy all-new in a couple of months. The sticks don't have a brand on them (he has a CyberpowerPc system) but they have Samsung chips (same as my Buffalo 256mb that I replaced with the 512mb).

I also bought BF2 expansion that night but since then I would get random freezes and crashes while playing. This didn't totally surprise me since my CPU isn't totally stable at its overclock, but I never got them before adding the RAM.

So today I booted the memtest CD and ran the tests for a few hours. With my own 512mb stick + the 2 new ones, within 2 hours I had over 500 errors!! I figure this was the reason for the lockups, since my temps under load are under 55° C on the CPU. I randomly took out on the sticks I bought and ran memtest again with 1 of my own and 1 of the one I bought used. After 1.5 hours I only had about 20 errors, all on test 8 or something. I haven't yet tried different combinations, but I'm nearly sure that my RAM always checked out with ZERO errors, but I'll verify that soon.

So then I used 1 512mb stick of my brothers, my own 512mb, and the better of the two I bought. BF2 didn't crash, but then again it would randomly do it, sometimes 15 minutes into the game, sometimes hours.


So... I don't notice anything wrong otherwise while using those chips, but if they're giving me errors, does that mean they are basically screwed? I wish they had a manufacturer name on them since I thought most RAM was lifetime warranty.

Anywya, that's weak... at best I could use one of the sticks I bought as long as it doesn't give me any freezes or crashes during use, but both of them might be equally defective.
 
Errors in memtest are always a bad sign. They don't have a lifetime warranty, so don't even bother trying to track down a manufacturer. Toss 'em & move on. Just make sure that it's not your own motherboard that is causing the errors, they can go bad too, sometimes can no longer support fast ram timings.
 
I agree that Memtest86 errors are, for sure, a bad sign. Memtest86 is emminently passable with the right memory. You should be able to run for days without an error, although, theoretically, random radiation will generate one error per month or so (depending, obviously, on how much RAM you have).

Typical signs of memory errors include random freezes or reboots and problems installing Windows. Those things just don't happen anymore with XP and solid software.
 
Be aware that MEMTEST (or any memory tester app) DOES NOT tell you if the memory is bad. All it's telling you is that you're getting memory errors. Other things can also cause memory errors: low voltage, overheating CPU or Northbridge, or some other device on the address or data bus thats sending spurious signals.

Assuming your ram tests out and the new ram does, the new ram may still not be bad. If both the new sticks fail by themselves (onely one installed), then they probably not bad. It's incredibly unlikely both sticks are bad. More likely is that the new ram is not compatible with your mobo.

It doesn't sound like you tested the new sticks by themselves without your old memory installed. It's quite possible that the new memory and the old can't co-exist in your mobo. Modern dual-channel mobos are very fussy about mixing memory.

 
You can try to adjust the mem timing and mem voltage (in bios) to see if errors can be eliminated. Try them seperately and together for best info. With 4 sticks I believe that one of the timings has to be changed to 2T for reliable operation.

The mem that's in the first slot is what determines "auto" mem timing generally, so if you don't set your own timing, try each type in the first slot.

I've heard that BF2 likes lots of memory, so if you can get it all to work that should be worth the effort.


Jim
 
Ok. Well with just the two "new" sticks in (though they are probably older than the OCZ 512mb I added within the past year), I got 4 errors within 1.5 hours of testing. So who knows... I put all 3 sticks back in, though in a different slots.

I believe my memory timings are very relaxed; set to Optimal in the BIOS. They are CAS3, and soemthing like 8-4-4-6, which I believe is one of the slowest. I've never tried going past 200mhz FSB nor tightening timings since I have cheaper RAM and I could care less really, just want it to work reliably at 200mhz at any timings.

I never thought I could change AGP or memory voltage through my cheapo SHuttle NF2 board, but while in the BIOS I finally noticed where it is. I have the choice of Auto, 2.6 V, and 2.7 V. Is 2.6 the default? May as well try 2.7 V if problems/freezes still happen huh?
 
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