Failed Memory Test

[Bam]

Gentlemen,

My CPU was running fine until recently. Yesterday, I went to resume the computer out of suspend mode, but it would not. I did get it to boot into safe mode, but it will not progress with loading XP beyound the initial blue welcome screen. I cant't even get to the command prompt. I set the bios to base values to see if that would help and unloaded all the peripheals except what is needed. The only clue I have is when the POST checks the memory, it goes throught the entire count of memory and then gives the message "meory test failed". Before I tear this thing down, is there any advice as to if it may be the memory sticks themselves, the memory controller or some other motherboard issue. My config is as follows:

Epox 8KHA+
AMD XP 1600
2 sticks of Crucial 256 MB CL 2.5 PC2100
WD 30 GB HD
Matrox G400 w/32 MB

Thanks!

Some days you get the bear, some days the bear gets you.:disgust:

 

[TheCorm]

Best thing to do is try both sticks, on their own....if it doesn't boot with one but does with the other....then you have a culprit stick right there. If it boots with both sticks when they are on their own but not together (although this is unlikely) then it sounds like it could be an imcompatibility between the two or some kind of problem on the board.

Corm

 

[mrbass]

try putting one stick like TheCorm. Then if it works try putting one stick on slot 1 and one in slot 3. Also now would be a good time to make a switch for the better to win2000.

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

try memtest86 as well if you can get to booting off the floppy
if not try a friends stick of ram is the above suggestions dont help
if it works, and your ram works in friends comp, then maybe mobo dimms are bad, in that case try different dimm slots

 

[Bam]

Well,

I did the memory switcher rooskie las tnight. Still will not boot. Sad to say but no one in my small town that I know has DDR RAM to check the sticks out. SO, the obvious question is, what are the chances that two sticks of memory are bad vs something with the motherboard? Also, where can I get the memtest 86 program to download? Any help is mucho appreciated!

 

[elzmaddy]

Memtest86. I think there is a much better chance of having bad RAM than a bad mainboard. That has been my experience, I've sent DDR RAM back to Crucial twice.