RAM Memory?

[bbwannabe]

Hey all.

Got another comp problem this time for the desktop, so I hope you lot can help me out again like you did before. Thanks in advance.

The problems i've been having are:
computer kept randomly crashing BSOD, no indication of what was causing it, sometimes tcpip.sys, sometimes usbport.sys, sometimes nothing mentioned at all.
I decided enough was enough and set out to reformat the drive clean and get it back to factory settings.
Unfortunately that didn't work and the process locked up half way through. Now it can't find an OS on the drive, and I can't continue on with the reformatting either.

So i'm trying to work my way through to whats causing this current issue and why...

I was using windows diagnosis tool to check RAM and after a couple of passes, the screen locked up. So just taking a guess but I think the RAM could be at fault. I've taken them out but I don't know the exact specs of them to order new ones, so was wondering if you guys and gals knew.

All I know is that they are DIMMS, SDRAM types, 2 sticks of 128MB. I don't know whether just that is needed or I need more info or not (don't know my max memory capability either). I tried searching model type but no luck (compaq presario 5032 UK - can only seem to find a 5032 which is pretty different to the UK one).

Thanks.

Oh and the other issue could be the HD at fault, but its much harder to remove it than the RAM so im going with ram first than HD.

[marky]

check here



http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00006476

[bbwannabe]

Originally Posted by markymoan

check here



http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...name=c00006476

I've tried searching for the model, no luck :-S

[marky]

get the motherboard model

then check from that
the link i posted is for one of the mobos but you can search for yours there

[bbwannabe]

Originally Posted by markymoan

get the motherboard model

then check from that
the link i posted is for one of the mobos but you can search for yours there

oh ok.

Sorry for being dim but where do I find the motherboard model info?

[marky]

try this



http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/cposupport...x=5&submit.y=4

[bbwannabe]

Originally Posted by markymoan

try this



http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/cposupport...x=5&submit.y=4

Thanks.

So it looks like 768MB Max.. 3 sticks of 256MB, SDRAM , PC100/P133 (does it matter which one?), DIMMs...

Is the stuff like parity and nonparity and ECC stuff important?

[marky]

if it says pc100/pc133 i would go for the pc133 its a bit quicker
but dont mix memory
just stick 1 pc133 512mb in

[bbwannabe]

Just been having a lot around on crucial, and it seems like its going to cost me a lot...

Depending on how much I want in, its going to cost me £52-150+, any cheaper places around?
__________________

Originally Posted by markymoan

just stick 1 pc133 512mb in

i think that might a problem, i get the feeling each slot can only hold 256MB.

[marky]

i bet you dont live near me ive got some that you could have

you would be gutted spending so much on an old pc when it might not be the memory at fault
you could upgrade for that sort of money

[bbwannabe]

Originally Posted by markymoan

i bet you dont live near me ive got some that you could have

you would be gutted spending so much on an old pc when it might not be the memory at fault
you could upgrade for that sort of money

heh true, and I will be if its not the memory.
But im not using it for anything spectacular - the computer, I just want it fixed rather than get a new one.

And nah i don't live near bolton (boro).

[marky]

how many sticks are in it they cant all be faulty

take them out one at a time and try the pc

[bbwannabe]

Originally Posted by markymoan

how many sticks are in it they cant all be faulty

take them out one at a time and try the pc

ahh good point.

See this is why I have such a low IQ

Will give it a whirl later on.

Cheers for your help - i'll update if anything happens.

[marky]

come on guys any ideas i know theres 8 of you reading this

[Salu]

I would think it's unlikely to be the memory as unless there has been static problems memory doesnt just "go wrong" one day, not usually anyway. Unless it has become unseated for any reason??

It looks hardware related though. CPU Fan maybe? Poorly fitting graphics card, chipset fan overheating etc..