New Athlon 64 3000+ system not working

[Gosheto]

I bought a new Athlon 64 3000+ and a MSI K8N Neo FSR along with some memory and a new case+power supply a few days ago. I put it together and formatted and installed windows but I'm having a major problem - it keeps crashing. Sometimes it goes to a blue screen with an error like BAD_POOL_CALLER or PAGE_FILE_something (I don't remember the exact errors but they're different each time. Sometimes it just briefly shows a blue screen and then the computer reboots.

At first I thought it was the memory so I went and got a 512 stick of PC3200 Corsair Value memory but the errors continue. I have tried Windows XP Home, Windows XP Pro, AND Windows XP 64 bit with no success.

The error is usually triggered by something. For example, every time I try to install Windows Update, it crashes. Installing some games also causes a crash, while others install and run flawlessly. Any ideas why this happens? My friend suggested it might be the power supply so I'll try replacing that with another one I have.

Also, I ran memtest86+ and I'm getting a LOT of errors with both memory sticks. Is it possible that I've gotten 2 bad sticks or can the problem be elsewhere? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[neovan]

it could be the power supply.

what kind of heatsink are you using? have you tried reseating the cpu?

 

[Gosheto]

Actually it turns out it's the memory. I had all the timings set to auto so I thought that wasn't it but when I put them on 100 Mhz/3/7/6/15 it works fine. Problem is, neither of the 2 sticks can run at 200 MHz even with everything else set to the lowest settings. Can something else be responsible here? I find it hard to believe that both the sticks I bought can't run at their advertised speed.

neovan: I'm using the fan and heatsink that came with the CPU. I guess I'll go try reseating and then see what speeds work for the memory.

Also, if it is the memory responsible, can someone recommend good PC3200 memory that can actually run at the speed it's supposed to?

 

[neovan]

i usually use crucial, corsair, or mushkin.

have you tried running memtest86 on your current ram?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Gosheto
Actually it turns out it's the memory. I had all the timings set to auto so I thought that wasn't it but when I put them on 100 Mhz/3/7/6/15 it works fine. Problem is, neither of the 2 sticks can run at 200 MHz even with everything else set to the lowest settings. Can something else be responsible here? I find it hard to believe that both the sticks I bought can't run at their advertised speed.

neovan: I'm using the fan and heatsink that came with the CPU. I guess I'll go try reseating and then see what speeds work for the memory.

Also, if it is the memory responsible, can someone recommend good PC3200 memory that can actually run at the speed it's supposed to?

What memory voltage are you using? Don't use Auto, use what the memory's built for. If you're not sure, try 2.7 volts for a while.

More info about the computer could help pin down the issue too. What brand and model is the power supply? Does it have any PCI cards installed? Do you have a firewall protecting it from attack (a broadband router and/or a software firewall)?

 

[Gosheto]

Nevermind, I found a thread with someone having the same problem on the Corsair forums. Hopefully they'll solve it there. Thanks for the help anyway.