Help requested: diagnosing hardware problem

[imported_NovaSword]

My components:
AMD Athlon64 3400+ Socket 754
MSI K8N Neo Platinum
1GB (2x 512 MB) Mushkin CAS222 Special PC3200
PNY Verto GeForce 6800GT
Antec True430
WD 74GB Raptor
Creative Labs Audigy 2 ZS
Lite-On 52/32/52 CD-RW
Sony floppy drive

My problem:
My computer is unstable. Prime95 stops after less than 1 minute. My first thought was bad memory, so I made a MemTest disk and ran a battery of tests.

The results:
Individually, Stick 1 tested good in any of the three DIMM slots. Individually, Stick 2 tested good in DIMM slot 1 and bad in the other two. Together, they tested bad in every configuration except with stick 1 in DIMM slot 3 and stick 2 in DIMM slot 1.

I was confused, to say the least. So I popped the memory in my brother's computer, which works perfectly. My memory in my brother's computer tested good in any configuration.

Next, I took his memory, which is 1GB (2x 512 MB) Mushkin PC3200 Level 1, and ran the same tests in my computer. His memory in my computer tested good in any configuration.

Next, I removed all nonessential components (HDD, CD-RW, sound card) and ran the same tests again. The results were exactly the same.

My conclusion:
Something is definitely wrong with my computer. I'm still not sure what the problem is, and I don't know what to test to figure it out.

What I need:
Your diagnosis, if you can make something out of these results. Otherwise, suggestions for what I can test to help diagnose the problem.

 

[Cheetah8799]

Try running the ram with loose timings, not 2-2-2. If it works, then maybe a stick isn't what it was advertised to be... Also, did your brother's computer run the ram at the same timing as your rig? maybe it auto-detected it with loose timing settings, which could make a big difference.

Or maybe Mushkin ram isn't compatible with your mobo. Can check with MSI to find that out.

 

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally posted by: Cheetah8799
Try running the ram with loose timings, not 2-2-2. If it works, then maybe a stick isn't what it was advertised to be... Also, did your brother's computer run the ram at the same timing as your rig? maybe it auto-detected it with loose timing settings, which could make a big difference.

Or maybe Mushkin ram isn't compatible with your mobo. Can check with MSI to find that out.

Ram compatibility is frequently addressed in bios updates. I'd certainly follow Cheetah8799's advice, but I'd also check for a bios update. If these ideas don't fix your problems, you may want to post your voltage readings so we can take a look at them. Certain brands of ram respond to an increase in voltage . Before we go that route, we need to determine the basic health of your system .... that means temperatures and voltage readings (all three rails and vCORE) to help us further access the nature of your problems.