I'm stumped......

[jpk]

My computer is driving me nuts.....I have random reboots. I try to install multidisc games and I get error messages part way through the install. I've reloaded XP several times to no avail, same issues after install. I have a 550w PS so I don't think it's that. I'm stumped. Any help? I'd really appreciate it because I can't figure it out. Thanks

 

[n7]

RAM is usually the culprit based on what you described.

Run Memest or Orthos Blend.

 

[jpk]

I will remove 1gb and see what happens. I'm deperate to figure this out. Thanks.

 

[jpk]

N7.Thanks! That was it. Removed a gig and all is well now. What I don't understand is why it was having problems. The second gig was same speed mfgr and timing as the other sticks I had in there. The board is capable of handling 2 gigs so I wonder what gives. Anyway, thanks for your advice.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: jpk
N7.Thanks! That was it. Removed a gig and all is well now. What I don't understand is why it was having problems. The second gig was same speed mfgr and timing as the other sticks I had in there. The board is capable of handling 2 gigs so I wonder what gives. Anyway, thanks for your advice.

Memory goes bad occationally. My Current memory is bad...it works fine at DDR2-800 but anything more it craps out and gives me errors like what you described. If you're overclocking try reducing the speed your memory is running at. See what happens.

 

[jpk]

I will load the sticks I pulled later to test them to see if one is bad. I now in real world performance the difference between having 2gb's or 1gb isn't that great IIt nice to say you have 2gb's loaded though.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: jpk
I now in real world performance the difference between having 2gb's or 1gb isn't that great IIt nice to say you have 2gb's loaded though.

Those are some thoughts...
What brand is your 550W PS?

 

[loafbred]

If it turns out that all of the dimms are okay, here are the probable causes that come to mind:

1. Motherboard isn't setting proper timings and/or voltage for the number of dimms you have installed. Try setting it manually to 3-4-4-8 and 2.7v. If that works, go back to rated timings and use as little voltage as needed to make it work. Don't depend on the BIOS programming to read and execute the SPD timings for all configurations... there have been BIOS bugs (aka sloppy programming) which caused incorrect settings (not necessarily yours, just mentioning that it has happened). You must run 2T command rate, with more than two dimms, on most or all motherboards. If you're not familiar with identifying and adjusting these settings, the time has come to learn. 🙂

2. Either the motherboard or the power supply can't supply the amperage needed to all the dimm slots in use.

3. The chips used on the newer dimms don't play well with the older ones. It does happen. Lower frequencies and/or higher latencies might fix that.

4. Heat is building up in the area around the dimm slots.