Really weird computer - memory errors?

[Lonyo]

I haven't tried memtest86 yet, but 90% of the time when I close a program, I can an error saying the memory can't be read.
I've got 2 sticks of RAM, 512MB PC3200 and 256MB PC2700 Cas2, running at 190MHz @ 1.9v.
A friend got the PC2700 running at 210+MHz, and the timings aren't that tight, and I didn't use to have this problem (when the RAM was running at 200MHz).

It only ever happens when I close a program I have opened (eg: IExplorer, Firefox, UT2004 etc), not ever while using them. Very odd.
It clears things out of the memory quickly though, so that's a good thing, it means I don't get things hogging memory after they have been closed.
Also on startup, if I have any dodgy things, for some reason they always error out. Like if I have got things somehow which have added themselves to the registry to begin on startup, they always crash out, but "normal" stuff, like MSN Messenger/Steam/Firewall/Anti-virus are always fine.

It seems like my only downside is having to click "ok" when things are closed and the error message comes up.
This clears things fully out of memory, and it alerts me when I have dodgy stuff on my system. Should I be worried? There don't seem to be any instabilities when using programs (It's been going on for a week or more).

 

[mechBgon]

If the system is getting mystery stuff installed on it from nowhere then you should be doing something about it. I listed out some stuff for another guy to do so I'm going to quote myself here, except I'm changing the order of the steps in retrospect:

First, ensure that you have a firewall. It might be in your cable/DSL router, it might be the software firewall in WinXP, it might be free ZoneAlarm basic. This keeps your computer from talking to strange computers behind your back and catching worms. A router plus a software firewall is not a bad idea.

After that, get the free Spybot Search & Destroy and LavaSoft Ad-Aware SE Personal anti-spyware scanners and see how you're doing against spyware, which can slow your system down. Install them, update their spyware definitions, but reboot into Safe Mode before running the actual scans. After scanning, reboot normally and scan again in non-Safe Mode and see if the stuff that was removed has stayed removed. If not, then you should hit Technical Support for some advanced spyware/malware help.

Get your computer patched up at Windows Update, scanning it with Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer and fixing the issues MBSA brings up (missing updates, weak/blank passwords and unsecure shares, for example). If you have Office installed, also visit Office Update.

Now get some current antivirus software, install it, update it, fully configure it to use all its enhancements (scanning inside Zip files, heuristics, etc) and run a scan. Also try the free online Panda antivirus scanner. If you need some free antivirus software, try Grisoft AVG Free Edition perhaps.

After those steps, run Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer to look for the stuff that Windows Update isn't looking for. Correct the weak or blank passwords and other issues that it brings up.

Also, I know it's a very alien idea to home computer users, but if you set up a separate Administrator-class account that's used ONLY for Administrator-type stuff (installing software and major hardware), and switch your daily-driver account to a Limited-class account, then you put a big hurdle in the way of spyware and even some types of viruses/Trojans/exploits. For example, a virus attempting to use a Limited-class account to do its dirty work can't modify the HOSTS file. This takes getting used to, but it is a good practice, and especially if there are kids or non-computer-savvy people using the computer.

 

[Zinn2b]

YOU GOT A WORM buddy