What is going on with my computer?!

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Meatwad

Member
Aug 19, 2004
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Story leading up until now... My computer starting freezing on start up and very frequently a couple of months ago. I reformatted, and that did not solve the problem. Someone on the techincal help forum suggested I pull each stick of RAM out to see if one was bad. After pulling them out the computer will not load Windows with either stick in any slot. I tried the RAM in my roommate's computer, and he had the same results; Windows would not load. I thought I had bad RAM so I ordered new RAM and a new PS which is currently on it's way. For the heck of it I try to start up again, and I smell something burning and one of the dimms on the stick of RAM I was using was black. I then brought my RAM home to my parents and tried it in their computer, and IT WORKS! Windows loads and recognizes the RAM.

Current PC setup:
nforce2 mobo
xp2600+
512x2 Corsair pc3200 XMS
Ti4200
off brand PS

This RAM is a mystery to me. Why would the simple act of pulling it out of my computer not allow Windows to load? Why would it not work in my computer and my roommate's computer, but it works in my paren'ts computer? What caused the dimm on the RAM to burn? Bad RAM? Bad mobo? Bad power supply? Would any of those things cause my computer to constantly freeze? Is the RAM still good, even though a dimm is burned?

This is the first time that anything like this has happened to me, and I am completely confused. Class starts next week and I need my computer, so if I need a new mobo I need to get it ordered as soon as possible! If anyone has any ideas as to what the heck is going on, I would greatly appreciate your input. Thanks!
 
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Meatwad

Member
Aug 19, 2004
60
0
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Well I have ordered a new power supply and it should be here in a few days. But I'm worried that my mobo might be messed up, maybe because of the power supply. Also, I'm really dumbfounded as it why my memory works in my parent's comp and not in mine or my roommate's. Is the RAM still good even if a dimm or two are burned?
 
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sisooktom

Senior member
Apr 9, 2004
262
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Why don't you just run Memtest86 to check your RAM in YOUR system instead of swapping in and out of other systems?
 
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Meatwad

Member
Aug 19, 2004
60
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It is kind of hard to run a test when Windows won't load. The computer starts and that is it. Plus, the last time I tried to start my computer with my memory, one of the dimms on the stick of memory I was using got burned.
 
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crimson117

Platinum Member
Aug 25, 2001
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Originally posted by: Meatwad
It is kind of hard to run a test when Windows won't load. The computer starts and that is it. Plus, the last time I tried to start my computer with my memory, one of the dimms on the stick of memory I was using got burned.
Click to expand...
Do any other connectors, such as the one from the power supply to the motherboard, or the capacitors, look burnt? Definitely try the new power supply with the existing ram, and with different ram.
 
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Meatwad

Member
Aug 19, 2004
60
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I looked but didn't see anything that stood out. But this is the first time I've dealt with anything other than a modem being fried, so I admittedly don't know exactly what I'm looking for.

Is having a dimm or two burnt on a stick of RAM make it completely useless, or can it still work?
 
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imported_alp

Senior member
Aug 24, 2004
301
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i would guess useless. i have been having the same freezing problem, albeit more sporadically, but memtest says i'm stable... i thought psu originally too
 
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kylef

Golden Member
Jan 25, 2000
1,430
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If your system will POST, then go into the BIOS and see what your CPU speed and voltages and temperatures look like. Report back.
 
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sisooktom

Senior member
Apr 9, 2004
262
0
76
Originally posted by: Meatwad
It is kind of hard to run a test when Windows won't load. The computer starts and that is it. Plus, the last time I tried to start my computer with my memory, one of the dimms on the stick of memory I was using got burned.
Click to expand...

Uhh, Windows doesn't have to load, you use a floppy to boot into Memtest.
 
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