Help! Lots of memtest errors, ram or mobo?!

[x3ro]

So upon a fresh install of WinXP, i started gettting VERY random BSOD's. First thing came to mind was to test the RAM, even though it worked flawless in the system I was using 2 hours prior!

So first run of Memtest overnight, tons of errors with the ram (512mb x 2, dual channel) in dimm1 & dimm2. Fine, maybe one of the sticks is bad. Pulled one stick, ran it in only dimm1 , ZERO ERRORS.. Okay. Install other stick into dimm1, ran memtest, ZERO ERRORS again..

I thought Hmm, maybe dimm2 is faulty. I so put the two sticks into dimm3 & dimm4... Run memtest again, 484 errors in 7 hours

What the hell? HELP!!

 

[evilharp]

Memory errors are a pain to resolve.

Here are my suggestions:

1) make sure you are running the rated voltage for your ram (2.5v to 3.3v, depending on the manufacturers specs)
2) make sure you are running the rated timings (should be labeled on the ram, ie 2-2-2-5)
3) check with the ram manufacturers site to see if the ram is listed as compatible with your motherboard. Some ram is designed (apparently) for certain systems only (ie Intel or AMD optomized).
4) try to replicate the errors on another system (important for RMA process)
5) test the ram individually, together in single channel and together in dual channel

I had some "dual-channel" ram that would not work in a pair (single or dual channel), but tested 100% ok when using single sticks. I was able to replicate the error on another system, and I was able to RMA the RAM.

What system were you using? What system are you using now?

 

[wanderer27]

I don't know what your System specs are - MB in particular - but I believe if you're trying to run in Dual Channel then you need to populate Dimm 1 and Dimm 3 (or 2 & 4) to enable this.

If your MB is like this, and you're trying 1 & 2 (or 2&3, 3&4), then you may not be able to run at the same Memory timings - hence you'll get some errors.
I know mine defaulted to different values when I accidentally had 1 & 2 populated, but now they're fine since they're in the correct slots.

YMMV, depending on MB make/model