How does bad memory manifest itself?

[scrawnypaleguy]

I think I might have memory problems, but the error messages I'm getting seem so varied it's hard to pin down what exactly is causing them.

My machine crashes and shuts down randomly (especially if I'm trying to run a defrag) and when it comes back up it gives me different error messages every time. Sometimes it says my BIOS is out of date and can't support my processor, but the BIOS is the latest version since I updated it myself when I got this new system a month ago. It also shows registry changes upon bootup, and my background disappears and I get that "Active Desktop Recovery" thing instead.

Are these signs of bad memory? I ran memtest86+ overnight with zero errors but I've heard that Ballistix Tracer ram can be iffy in terms of quality. Any pointers in the right direction would be greatly appreciated, specs are in my sig.

 

[DSF]

Since it's referencing the BIOS some of the time, I would wonder whether it might be a messed up motherboard. Do you have different memory you can test with?

 

[tcsenter]

What type of errors do you normally see when your memory is going bad?

Forgetting to lift the toilet seat cover or wipe your butt. Mixing-up tubes of toothpaste and hemmorhoid cream. Leaving home without any pants. Interpreting questions in a context that has no relevance to the forum category. Lots of things, potentially.

 

[scrawnypaleguy]

Originally posted by: DSF
Since it's referencing the BIOS some of the time, I would wonder whether it might be a messed up motherboard. Do you have different memory you can test with?

That crossed my mind as well, but I don't have any other memory to test the board with. I also thought it might be a drive problem since running a defrag seems to be a guaranteed way to make my system crash. But it's not making any "I'm dying" sounds and SMART says the drive is in perfect health.

Originally posted by: tcsenter
Forgetting to lift the toilet seat cover or wipe your butt. Mixing-up tubes of toothpaste and hemmorhoid cream. Leaving home without any pants. Interpreting questions in a context that has no relevance to the forum category. Lots of things, potentially.

sounds like you could use an upgrade

 

[fallsroad]

Originally posted by: scrawnypaleguy
I think I might have memory problems, but the error messages I'm getting seem so varied it's hard to pin down what exactly is causing them.

Might be useful to start recording exactly what the errors are.

I'd change your CMOS battery, and see if you still get the wrong BIOS error.

Since the machine seems to have trouble finishing defrag, run the HDD manufacturer's boot diagnostics and see if there are errors.

 

[scrawnypaleguy]

Broke down and bought some new G.Skill ram yesterday. It should be here by tomorrow. I saw another thread on hardocp which described the same symptoms as me, and apparently the reason that the Ballistix Tracer ram was so cheap when I got it was because they were all horrible quality, and died ~1.5 months after purchase.

Not even gonna bother with an RMA, since I want 4 gigs now anyway and my rebate is already in the mail, it'd be too complicated. Thanks for the advice guys, I'll let you know how it turns out.