RAM Memory? - Page 2

Gareth · 11-08-2005, 16:20

You can test whether it is the memoru by using a utility such as Memtest86 (http://www.memtest86.com). You create a bootable floppy disk using MemTest86, then reboot your PC from the floppy disk, it runs some memory-intensive tests, and displays whether the memory performed reliably or not.

As markymoan suggested, you might want to remove them and try testing them individually, to determine which (if any) are faulty.

nffc · 11-08-2005, 20:46

Do you have a usb modem?

bbwannabe · 11-08-2005, 22:04

I have the broadband modem which is connected through the network card. A dialup modem was in it but is taken out a while back.
Problems just seem to come out the blue.

I'll be testing the RAM sometime tomorrow, so i'll let you guys and gals know how it went.

nffc · 11-08-2005, 22:12

Hmm. I'd try uninstalling the USB Host Controllers in Device Manager (right click and select Uninstall) then scan for new H/W changes and reboot.

marky · 11-08-2005, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by nffc

Hmm. I'd try uninstalling the USB Host Controllers in Device Manager (right click and select Uninstall) then scan for new H/W changes and reboot.

BB cant
quote> 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...

nffc · 11-08-2005, 22:45

Oops, that will teach me to plunge in.

BBwannabe, you're going to have to low-level format your HD and start again.

If you have a hidden sector recovery thingy it will be different... you could try the DSR again but if the hidden sector's gone silly then you might have to get new Master CDs off Compaq/HP- and thank f*** it's not a Packard Bell or you would be screwed.
__________________

Oh yeah- and MAKE SURE YOU DISCONNECT EVERYTHING APART FROM MONITOR, KB AND MOUSE WHEN YOU RUN THE RECOVERY.

We have so many go wrong cos people leave BB, printers, scanners etc plugged in and it messes up the recovery.

bbwannabe · 12-08-2005, 11:55

Whats a DSR??

Computer has two partitions.. one is windows etc and the other is the recovery stuff on it for factory restorating.

Gonna head off and put the RAM back in bit by bit.

altis · 12-08-2005, 13:29

Have you tried replacing the PSU?

Unfortunately, most peeps are unwilling to spend much money on this item. Consequently, most products are designed down to a price with many corners cut. This is sad, 'cos these components they are subject to high stress and the PC can exhibit all sorts of random errors when they start to fail.

It's the first place I start when a PC is misbehaving. I'll also remove all cards, memory and the CPU then spray some contact cleaner on all the contacts and, except for the CPU, rub them with kitchen towel. Then I'll put the system back together one board at a time. Start with CPU, memory and graphics card; boot and test and, if all is well, add the next most important card.

12-08-2005, 14:12

sounds like cpu or mobo faulty to me

bbwannabe · 12-08-2005, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by altis

Have you tried replacing the PSU?

Unfortunately, most peeps are unwilling to spend much money on this item. Consequently, most products are designed down to a price with many corners cut. This is sad, 'cos these components they are subject to high stress and the PC can exhibit all sorts of random errors when they start to fail.

It's the first place I start when a PC is misbehaving. I'll also remove all cards, memory and the CPU then spray some contact cleaner on all the contacts and, except for the CPU, rub them with kitchen towel. Then I'll put the system back together one board at a time. Start with CPU, memory and graphics card; boot and test and, if all is well, add the next most important card.

nope.

I dont have the experience to replace it, I know how to do RAM (just don't know how to find the types), HD, CD and DVD Drives. Can't do mobo, psu, cpu stuff...
__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

sounds like cpu or mobo faulty to me

Well after a few attempts of removing the mem, and switching I mananged to get to the windows boot section.

I took one out, tried to boot off the windows xp cd, and it told me the drive was corrupt. Tried the other RAM stick, didn't get as far as I did to the other stick... Put both in... usually now and then it failed to go as far as the first stick coming up with .sys file is corrupted before then... usually some different file each time. Sometimes it went to the install window, delete partition etc.. screen. When it did i went to install window to be told it was corrupted again.. after trying a few more times doing the same thing I suspected a HD issue.

So I decided to try out the delete partitions stuff.. selected to delete the main partition, and then retried to install windows XP on it. Success... now I just need to find out whether its fixed all the other problems....

12-08-2005, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbwannabe

nope.

I dont have the experience to replace it, I know how to do RAM (just don't know how to find the types), HD, CD and DVD Drives. Can't do mobo, psu, cpu stuff...
__________________

Well after a few attempts of removing the mem, and switching I mananged to get to the windows boot section.

I took one out, tried to boot off the windows xp cd, and it told me the drive was corrupt. Tried the other RAM stick, didn't get as far as I did to the other stick... Put both in... usually now and then it failed to go as far as the first stick coming up with .sys file is corrupted before then... usually some different file each time. Sometimes it went to the install window, delete partition etc.. screen. When it did i went to install window to be told it was corrupted again.. after trying a few more times doing the same thing I suspected a HD issue.

So I decided to try out the delete partitions stuff.. selected to delete the main partition, and then retried to install windows XP on it. Success... now I just need to find out whether its fixed all the other problems....

Good job I didnt put a bet on it

glad I was wrong

bbwannabe · 12-08-2005, 17:06

Well what i thought was successful was a partial success... didn't install windows correctly the first time round, so with some quick cd removing, i managed to get it working now... Hope all the problems are finally fixed.. if so im glad i don't have to fork out my money for ram and or HD.

Thanks everyone for your suggestion!!!

nffc · 12-08-2005, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbwannabe

Whats a DSR??

Destructive System Recovery...