Memtest errors - Crucial replacement policy?

[phatrabt]

Hi all! I've been trying to figure out this problem for about 2 weeks now and I'm having a hard time. Here's the synopsis:

I am OC'ing my P4 2.4c up to 3.01 with PC2100. This was running just fine until about 3 weeks ago and I moved. Now I can't seem to keep the computer from randomly rebooting at least once a day. At first I wasn't even able to boot until I removed a drive that wasn't being used (I was stuck in a rebot loop) but once I removed that unused drive I could boot but am not stable. Here's the steps I have taken:

1. Clocked back down to factory specs: No effect
2. Removed and re-installed the HSF: No effect
3. Ghosted back to a previous install that I KNOW was good: No effect

I then decided to test the drive by using the Maxtor diagnostics. When I ran the full test it errored out saying that the drive was bad and to replace it. I then did a Low-Level format and ran the test again and it passed. However, system was STILL unstable. I then did a FRESH install of the OS and was unstable.

So my question is this: Would the drive being bad cause the CPU errors that I've been seeing? I have been running Virtual PC and it will even crash with the error message "An unrecoverable processor error has been encountered. The PC will reset now". Would a failing HD cause this? Or maybe my processor\MB is going bad? Any help\advice would be welcome. Thank you!

phatrabt

 

[duckdown]

I'd say test your memory first..

 

[Calin]

You would have a better performance with faster RAM

 

[NuroMancer]

Flash CMOS and put a new bios on.

 

[phatrabt]

Update:

4. Updated BIOS: No effect
5. Replaced drive and disco'd all the other drives except CD: No effect
6. Removed memory module and tried with each: No effect
7. Ran memtest and it failed out with a Uknown exception handler error (SIMD FPE). I can't find any info on this but it looks like my CPU might be gone. Any suggestions?

I've been meaning to upgrade anyway but I was hoping for a little longer with the stuff I have. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks!

phatrabt

 

[Bushman5]

i had that same problem. i had to remove my westenr digital raptor, which i think needs to be RMA. I did the same thing, when i moved my pc from 1 place in a car to anotehr it all messed up. can u post the specs of your pc

 

[stevty2889]

2.4c=800mhz FSB =200mhz FSB
PC2100 =DDR 266mhz = 133mhz FSB
Unless you are using a divider, your memory is already being way overclocked even running your CPU at stock speed... By overclocking your CPU, you are running your memory even farther out of spec, it's not suprising you are having memory issues...

 

[phatrabt]

Sure! (BTW, that's the EXACT same thing that's happened to me. I moved and BAM! it doesn't work right anymore.)

P4 2.4C with a XP-90HSF
Crucial PC2100 memory (a few years old)
Gigabyte GA-8IPE1000Pro Rev 1 MB
ATI 9800 Pro 128
Maxtor 80 Gig HD
Maxtor 250GB HD
Seagate Barracuda 400GB HD
DVD Burner (I can't remember the make)
Antec Tru430 power supply

I've removed ALL the drives except my data and DVD drive and it still does it. I'm leaning toward the CPU since SIMD FPE is a floating point exception from the CPU. Only thing I can think of is that since I've been OC'ing for a while I've either fried the memory and\or the CPU. I've ordered new memory and a new CPU so I'll swap them out and see what happens. I'm REALLY hoping it's not my MB but if it is I guess I'll get one.a

 

[phatrabt]

Originally posted by: stevty2889
2.4c=800mhz FSB =200mhz FSB
PC2100 =DDR 266mhz = 133mhz FSB
Unless you are using a divider, your memory is already being way overclocked even running your CPU at stock speed... By overclocking your CPU, you are running your memory even farther out of spec, it's not suprising you are having memory issues...

True... I AM trying to run the PC2100 at 250MHz FSB so I will try underclocking everything and see what happens. Thanks Stevety!

 

[phatrabt]

Ok, new update...

I underclocked everything and removed the memory modules to test individually. Running Memtest (which now doesn't crash BTW) shows massive errors on each stick. I BELIEVE that my memory is hosed. So my question is now this:

It's Crucial bought in 2002. I've looked at their website for their warranty but can't really find anything that says that they'll replace it. Anyone have experience getting a replacement with Crucial? Thanks!

 

[stevty2889]

What you really need to do is pick up some PC3200 DDR, as that is the DDR thats matched with your FSB speed. I am really suprised that your PC2100 was even able to run at 200mhz FSB, as that was a 134mhz overclock for it, and a 234mhz overclock at 250mhz FSB...I imagine that your motherbord supports memory dividers, why not try running your memory at it's rated speed...

 

[phatrabt]

Originally posted by: stevty2889
What you really need to do is pick up some PC3200 DDR, as that is the DDR thats matched with your FSB speed. I am really suprised that your PC2100 was even able to run at 200mhz FSB, as that was a 134mhz overclock for it, and a 234mhz overclock at 250mhz FSB...I imagine that your motherbord supports memory dividers, why not try running your memory at it's rated speed...

Well, its a little late now... Right now it's underclocked and it's giving me errors so I've got some PC3200 that will be here tomorrow with a new CPU so I don't have to OC. Also, isn't PC2100 133MHz? Wouldn't that make it a 67MHz OC at 200 MHz FSB and 117MHZ OC at 250MHz FSB? If I'm wrong please feel free to let me know. Thanks!

 

[stevty2889]

DDR = Double Data rate. With a FSB of 133mhz, the memory runs at 266mhz. With FSB of 200, memory runs at 400MHZ, with FSB of 250, memory runs at 500Mhz...