RAM testing problems

[RBBRMADE]

I have a PC with 1.5GB or PC2700 RAM (3x512). It is a p4 2.4, running XP Pro.
It will run fine for about a day, and then start crashing constantly. If I run memtest right after the problems start, I get errors quickly.
If I reboot, I get no errors whatsoever.
I am trying to get figure out in which stick lies the problem, but I cannot get any errors when I start pulling chips, etc.
I have not been able to create any problems when running any combination of two chips.

Can someone give me some help? I really need to find out which chip is the problem b4 I lose something important.

thanx,
Ron

 

[nboy22]

did u maybe try to switch the two sticks or ram so they are in different slots than the last time?

 

[SickBeast]

Run memtest86 from DOS overnight...it should let you know if your RAM is faulty. Is anything overclocked? Is your case well-ventilated? What kind of PSU do you have?

Running 3 sticks of memory like that can cause instability. My guess is that you need to tweak your memory timings in the BIOS. Increasing the vmem moderately would probably be a good idea as well.

Before doing any of that tho, do the memtest86 thing. Search google for it.

 

[Bovinicus]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
Run memtest86 from DOS overnight...it should let you know if your RAM is faulty. Is anything overclocked? Is your case well-ventilated? What kind of PSU do you have?

Running 3 sticks of memory like that can cause instability. My guess is that you need to tweak your memory timings in the BIOS. Increasing the vmem moderately would probably be a good idea as well.

Before doing any of that tho, do the memtest86 thing. Search google for it.

As he mentioned, case ventilation is important to maintain system stability. If components run too hot, then they don't run in a stable manner.

The PSU is also an important factor in determining system stability. Unstable power makes for unstable components throughout the entire system. Granted, some devices can deal with decreased voltages better than others, but it is better not to press your luck.

Drop your memory timings down to the least aggressive timings available. Upping your vmem couldn't hurt, but it shouldn't be necessary if you lower your memory timings enough. Try taking out one stick of memory and see if your system runs better.

I tend to think the problem is heat related because of the way the system starts of stable, but becomes unstable later down the line. However, I just feel that is the most likely cause of the problem. Make sure to still consider the other possibilities mentioned.

 

[RBBRMADE]

I have been running the PC with the case opened up here for a couple of days. I still get the errors. I am certain it is not a heat issue, since I have run memtest for hours without an error, case opened and closed.
The tests never show any errors if I have removed or reseated any of the sticks immediately before, which is making it impossible to find the faulty stick.
I will try relaxing the timings, and after that, I will bump the voltage.
Thanx for your help, guys!
Ron

 

[SickBeast]

Just thought of something else: Is the memory running dual-channel? If so, that can cause serious instability. On my system, I could not run over 200mhz FSB unless I disabled dual-channel memory.

 

[RBBRMADE]

nope, not dual channel.
Especially with three sticks!!
Ron

 

[SickBeast]

Maybe try updating your BIOS. It's a bit of a long shot, but it might do the trick. Are your 3 sticks matched, BTW? Are they all rated at PC2700? If you really want to troubleshoot the situation, run 1 stick at a time, testing for stability. Make sure you use the same slot, timings, and voltages. If they all pass with flying colours, then you can try running 2 sticks together. If that works, go for 3 again, but switch up the location of each stick. Motherboards can be fussy about which slot the stick of ram is in. Reminds me of something else but I won't comment.

 

[RBBRMADE]

The sticks are matched.
I am trying the other testing methods you describe, but cannot get any errors!

DOES MEMTEST86 VER. 3.0 WORK FOR OVER 1GB OF RAM?

thanx,
Ron

 

[RBBRMADE]

If I run Memtest86 ver. 3.0 with all three stick installed, it errors as soon as I hit 1023 or 1024 kB.
When I run 2 sticks (any 2, in any of the slots) it will run thru with no errors!

Yhere are no BIOS updates for this board, and all timings were already relaxed, except for CAS, which I bumped from 2.0 to 2.5.
Also, there is no adjustment for Mem voltage.

I guess I am going to check the PSU next!

Ron

 

[kuritadelta]

which 2.4? 2.4 b or 2.4 c ?
"c" runs on higher fsb(800) and is required to use PC3200+

Also "C" should be hyper threading which may require certain ram placement on the ram slots for hyper-threading to work. (but this shouldn't crash the system)

 

[RBBRMADE]

2.4b

 

[kuritadelta]

Is this just a desktop? or a server?
1.5GB ram seems a lot for just a desktop..

hard to diagnose by what I am hearing..
You should backup your important data anyway you can immediately(if the data is so important, you should back it up no matter what anyways, even without any errors/problems)

Once it's backed up, I suggest doing a clean reinstall of the OS. It can be the Windows OS, or any programs that are conflicting with it.

 

[RBBRMADE]

It is a desktop that does a lot of graphics, CAD, etc.
I still think it is an issue with the hardware/memory, so I think I will hold off on a reload!
Thanx,
Ron

 

[ThatDumbGuy]

Given all that you have stated, it sounds like either a) not enough juice, or b) an instability/incompatibility with the motherboard itself. But I would say the latter if I had to choose between the two.

Pretty hard to fix if you can't update the BIOS and relaxing your timings doesnt seem to help.

 

[RBBRMADE]

Yeah, it can't be the OS, because memtest86 runs at boot b4 windows loads.....
I am leaning towards the mobo as well........

Anyone else have any ideas?

Are there any other good memory testers out there?

Ron

 

[RBBRMADE]

Also, the rails on the PSU are just fine, even after being loaded for a few hours.
Ron

 

[ThatDumbGuy]

You could also try the microsoft memory tester, supposedly both that and memtest will occasionally find a problem that the other wont. Just search the knowledge base for it.

 

[Viper96720]

Sounds like a board that can't handle having all the memory slots filled. Don't know what motherboard your using but some intel chipset boards were made with
3 memory slots although intel used only 2.

 

[RBBRMADE]

It is a DFI P4X400-AL

I will search for the MS memory tester, thanx.

Ron

 

[ThatDumbGuy]

Well, don't expect anything, I don't want to give you any false hope. I think its motherboard incompatibility still.

 

[RalfHutter]

Originally posted by: RBBRMADE
Yeah, it can't be the OS, because memtest86 runs at boot b4 windows loads.....
I am leaning towards the mobo as well........

Anyone else have any ideas?

Are there any other good memory testers out there?

Ron

Goldmem. There's a group of people that think this may be a better test than Memtest86.

Microsoft Memory Diagnostic test. Last I heard, this was a beta plus it dosn't have a track record like Memtest86 and Goldmem.