Memory problems

[KFCrispy]

I've been having some problems with my computer memory for a while and can't figure out how to fix it. I suspect that the video card is not allocating its video RAM properly sometimes, causing programs to shut down instantly or close due to the memory error and the computer to go into the blue memory dump screen or simply freeze.

here is an example of when a program closes and tells me about the memory error:
access violation at 0x00451450 (tried to read from 0x08358384).. another time was
access violation at 0x0045142C (tried to read from 0x00000028)

i am thinking the video card (GeForce4 Ti 4200 64MB) is at fault, but i updated it by installing the nvidia website's driver update for winXP.

i've disabled BIOS shadowing and messed aroudn with other CMOS settings, but if you know specific things to enable/disable for this video card, please tell me.

other problems i've had with the graphics display is that when i try running some games fullscreen it'll just close without saying anything. for some games, the problem is consistent, but for others it'll work every so often or eventually will crash and give me the blue screen



if the problem isn't my video card, it's the RAM. i don't know what i can do to have my computer NOT read from the wrong places.. maybe do things in the CMOS settings again. can anyone help?

 

[mechBgon]

Could you go ahead and give the full specs of your system, all the parts you can think of

 

[HippyWarlock]

Set your BIOS to factory default. try it again - does it still play up?

 

[johnjkr1]

Have you tried it with one stick of memory at a time, or do you only have one stick?

 

[KFCrispy]

motherboard: EpoX EP-8KHA+
CPU: AMD Athlon XP 1900+
RAM: Kingston 512MB DDR SDRAM PC2100 unregistered, nonECC (2 sticks)
vid: NVIDIA's GeForce4 Ti 4200 (64MB) w/TV out
hard drive: IBM Deskstar 120GXP Ultra ATA 100 Hard Drive

OS: Windows XP Professional version 2002 SP1


i've tested the ram sticks individually before and both times while running this memory test program (from a boot disk) the computer freezes. i used to have compatibility problems with my first RAM stick, took it to a store and he told me the specific manufacturer was no good and i requested specific manufacturers' ram to replace it from them. had no further problems until a few months ago.

i'm on the "fail-safe default" for BIOS settings. there is also a "optimized defaults", do you think that would fix anything?

 

[mechBgon]

Look over your motherboard for leaking or bulging capacitors. They should be cylindrical like little cans of soup, and not bulging/puffing at the ends (top or bottom) like Soup Gone Bad :Q

Also, what power supply brand/model/wattage, and how old is it?

 

[KFCrispy]

oh man, there ARE capacitors that are bulging!! i guess i need a new motherboard .. maybe i still have a valid warranty.. it's almost 2 years old.
thanks!

the whole system including power supply are about 2 years old, hopefully not one day over because i need to get my motherboard replaced!
i think my power supply is Codegen, but dunno how much voltage. i think when i restart the computer i can find out about the voltage(?) but not the brand.

do you think the video card can still have problems? i mean, i've had the gaming/full-screen problem for a very long time. it just won't play some games full-screen. closes the program instantly..