Thread View: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt
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Started by penang
Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:37
Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: penang
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:37
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:37
83 lines
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Need help here ! My PC has 2 DDR2 memory modules, 1GB each, for a total of 2GB RAM. The OS is WinXP. For the past few days, the PC kind of halting. Sometimes the cursor kind of not responding, sometimes some other things happened, indicating that something is terribly wrong --- most probably a MEMORY error. I downloaded 3 memtest programs, 1 from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/, 1 from http://www.memtest86.com/download.html, 1 from http://www.memtest.org/ First test - Booted up the PC with the Memtest bootCD from www.memtest86.com. Ran the test overnight. No error ! Went back to Windows, the halting problems cropped up. So I ran a second test. Second test - Booted up the PC with the Memtest bootCD from www.memtest.org. Ran the test overnight again. Again, No error ! Went back to Windows, again the halting problems !! So the 3rd test. I drop XP to safe mode with command prompt, then call up 2 instances of the memtest from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/, each checking 918MB. Result - Errors ! Memory Errors Detected ! Copying between 4c21c71 and 4c2193a did not result in accurate copy. Memory Errors Detected ! Pair 19897713 does not store values accurately. Memory Errors Detected ! Copying between 5547871 and 5547832 did not result in accurate copy. Memory Errors Detected ! Copying between 4c32471 and 4c323a2 did not result in accurate copy. Memory Errors Detected ! Copying between 36f8071 and 36f8060a did not result in accurate copy. Memory Errors Detected ! Copying between 4c32471 and 4c322d9 did not result in accurate copy. Conclusion: Something wrong with the DDR2 memory module ! Problem: Which module giving out errors? I got one of the DDR2 module out. Ran the memtest from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/ -- no error. Switch the sticks to test the other DDR2 module. Ran the memtest from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/ -- again no error ! Now I'm totally confused. Why when I ran the test with both DDR2 modules, I got errors, and no error when I ran the modules one at a time?? So I ran the bootCD memtest test again, this time with one module at a time. Again no error on both runs ! What am I doing wrong here? How am I going to locate which module that is giving out errors? Can anyone help out please? Thank you !
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: kony
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:26
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:26
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On Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:37:42 -0700 (PDT), penang@freemail.c3.hu wrote: >Need help here ! > >My PC has 2 DDR2 memory modules, 1GB each, for a total of 2GB RAM. > >The OS is WinXP. > >For the past few days, the PC kind of halting. Sometimes the cursor >kind of not responding, sometimes some other things happened, >indicating that something is terribly wrong --- most probably a MEMORY >error. > >I downloaded 3 memtest programs, > 1 from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/, > 1 from http://www.memtest86.com/download.html, > 1 from http://www.memtest.org/ > >First test - > > Booted up the PC with the Memtest bootCD from www.memtest86.com. > Ran the test overnight. > > No error ! > >Went back to Windows, the halting problems cropped up. So I ran a >second test. > >Second test - > > Booted up the PC with the Memtest bootCD from www.memtest.org. > Ran the test overnight again. > > Again, No error ! > > >Went back to Windows, again the halting problems !! So the 3rd test. > >I drop XP to safe mode with command prompt, then call up 2 instances >of the memtest from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/, each checking >918MB. > >Result - Errors ! > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 4c21c71 and 4c2193a did not result in accurate copy. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Pair 19897713 does not store values accurately. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 5547871 and 5547832 did not result in accurate copy. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 4c32471 and 4c323a2 did not result in accurate copy. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 36f8071 and 36f8060a did not result in accurate copy. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 4c32471 and 4c322d9 did not result in accurate copy. > >Conclusion: > Something wrong with the DDR2 memory module ! > >Problem: > Which module giving out errors? > >I got one of the DDR2 module out. Ran the memtest from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/ >-- no error. > >Switch the sticks to test the other DDR2 module. Ran the memtest from >http://hcidesign.com/memtest/ -- again no error ! > >Now I'm totally confused. Why when I ran the test with both DDR2 >modules, I got errors, and no error when I ran the modules one at a >time?? This generally means there isn't a hard fault in either memory module, instead a general instability of your motherboard with multiple modules installed. Is your bios set to "auto" or "SPD" for memory speed and timings? If not, try that, and check on a motherboard bios update from the manufacturer, sometimes they address memory problems. Beyond this you can instead get the specs for your memory to determine what speed, timings, and voltage it's supposed to need and try manually setting these values in the bios. If that doesn't work, increase the voltage a little bit and retest. If that doesn't work, try relaxing memory timings some (higher numbers). You didn't tell us exactly what memory you have, what timings it's spec'd for, nor what timings you are running. "CPU-Z" can show you what info it read from the memory prom and often what speed it's running at for a reference. > >So I ran the bootCD memtest test again, this time with one module at a >time. Again no error on both runs ! > >What am I doing wrong here? How am I going to locate which module that >is giving out errors? Can anyone help out please? If you have more than two memory slots you might also try leaving a different one empty, or if it's running in dual channel mode try in single channel mode - though it may be a performance hit but besides raising voltage all the other typical things you'd change to regain stability are also minor performance hits. The other option is manually setting a slower memory bus frequency, whether it be a ratio or % or speed numbers in the bios. Also examine the board for failed capacitors, bad power can cause errors. Are you sure this system with this memory previously ran ok or is it possible it had errors since the first moment these memory modules were both installed?
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: catchme
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:06
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:06
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penang@freemail.c3.hu wrote: > Need help here ! > > My PC has 2 DDR2 memory modules, 1GB each, for a total of 2GB RAM. > > The OS is WinXP. > > For the past few days, the PC kind of halting. Sometimes the cursor > kind of not responding, sometimes some other things happened, > indicating that something is terribly wrong --- most probably a MEMORY > error. > > I downloaded 3 memtest programs, > 1 from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/, > 1 from http://www.memtest86.com/download.html, > 1 from http://www.memtest.org/ > > First test - > > Booted up the PC with the Memtest bootCD from www.memtest86.com. > Ran the test overnight. > > No error ! > > Went back to Windows, the halting problems cropped up. So I ran a > second test. > > Second test - > > Booted up the PC with the Memtest bootCD from www.memtest.org. > Ran the test overnight again. > > Again, No error ! > > > Went back to Windows, again the halting problems !! So the 3rd test. > > I drop XP to safe mode with command prompt, then call up 2 instances > of the memtest from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/, each checking > 918MB. > > Result - Errors ! > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 4c21c71 and 4c2193a did not result in accurate copy. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Pair 19897713 does not store values accurately. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 5547871 and 5547832 did not result in accurate copy. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 4c32471 and 4c323a2 did not result in accurate copy. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 36f8071 and 36f8060a did not result in accurate copy. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 4c32471 and 4c322d9 did not result in accurate copy. > > Conclusion: > Something wrong with the DDR2 memory module ! > > Problem: > Which module giving out errors? > > I got one of the DDR2 module out. Ran the memtest from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/ > -- no error. > > Switch the sticks to test the other DDR2 module. Ran the memtest from > http://hcidesign.com/memtest/ -- again no error ! > > Now I'm totally confused. Why when I ran the test with both DDR2 > modules, I got errors, and no error when I ran the modules one at a > time?? > > So I ran the bootCD memtest test again, this time with one module at a > time. Again no error on both runs ! > > What am I doing wrong here? How am I going to locate which module that > is giving out errors? Can anyone help out please? > > Thank you ! read your mainboard's specifications carefully. some boards will require that one slot be less capacity than the other(s) when paired with one or more module, or have other niggling details that you might need to ponder over. -- To the States or any one of them, or any city of the States, Resist much, obey little, Once unquestioning obedience, once fully enslaved, Once fully enslaved, no nation, state, city of this earth, ever after-ward resumes its liberty. -Walt Whitman, 1860
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: spodosaurus
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:13
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:13
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penang@freemail.c3.hu wrote: > Need help here ! > > My PC has 2 DDR2 memory modules, 1GB each, for a total of 2GB RAM. > > The OS is WinXP. > > For the past few days, the PC kind of halting. Sometimes the cursor > kind of not responding, sometimes some other things happened, > indicating that something is terribly wrong --- most probably a MEMORY > error. > > I downloaded 3 memtest programs, > 1 from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/, > 1 from http://www.memtest86.com/download.html, > 1 from http://www.memtest.org/ > > First test - > > Booted up the PC with the Memtest bootCD from www.memtest86.com. > Ran the test overnight. > > No error ! > > Went back to Windows, the halting problems cropped up. So I ran a > second test. > > Second test - > > Booted up the PC with the Memtest bootCD from www.memtest.org. > Ran the test overnight again. > > Again, No error ! > > > Went back to Windows, again the halting problems !! So the 3rd test. > > I drop XP to safe mode with command prompt, then call up 2 instances > of the memtest from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/, each checking > 918MB. > > Result - Errors ! > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 4c21c71 and 4c2193a did not result in accurate copy. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Pair 19897713 does not store values accurately. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 5547871 and 5547832 did not result in accurate copy. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 4c32471 and 4c323a2 did not result in accurate copy. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 36f8071 and 36f8060a did not result in accurate copy. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 4c32471 and 4c322d9 did not result in accurate copy. > > Conclusion: > Something wrong with the DDR2 memory module ! > > Problem: > Which module giving out errors? > > I got one of the DDR2 module out. Ran the memtest from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/ > -- no error. > > Switch the sticks to test the other DDR2 module. Ran the memtest from > http://hcidesign.com/memtest/ -- again no error ! > > Now I'm totally confused. Why when I ran the test with both DDR2 > modules, I got errors, and no error when I ran the modules one at a > time?? > > So I ran the bootCD memtest test again, this time with one module at a > time. Again no error on both runs ! > > What am I doing wrong here? How am I going to locate which module that > is giving out errors? Can anyone help out please? > > Thank you ! So the only time this error pops up is from within windows? I'm assuming you let the memtest cdrom do it's thing for more than one pass, right? Ari -- spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life: http://www.abmdr.org.au/ http://www.marrow.org/
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: penang
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:52
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:52
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On Apr 11, 4:13 am, spodosaurus <spodosaurus@_yahoo_.com> wrote: > So the only time this error pops up is from within windows? Actually there's no error message by XP. It's just the halting problems that brought up my suspicions. The "Error message" I got is from the memtest program that I got from hcidesign. > I'm assuming you let the memtest cdrom do it's thing for more than one > pass, right? Yep. Ran the memtest cdrom thing overnight, for 4 nights. 2 nights each for memtest86 v 3.4 and for memtest86+ v 2.01 No error whatsoever from both versions.
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: penang
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:55
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:55
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On Apr 11, 4:06 am, catchme <some...@somewhere.net> wrote: > pen...@freemail.c3.hu wrote: > > Need help here ! > > > My PC has 2 DDR2 memory modules, 1GB each, for a total of 2GB RAM. > > > The OS is WinXP. > > > For the past few days, the PC kind of halting. Sometimes the cursor > > kind of not responding, sometimes some other things happened, > > indicating that something is terribly wrong --- most probably a MEMORY > > error. > > > I downloaded 3 memtest programs, > > 1 fromhttp://hcidesign.com/memtest/, > > 1 fromhttp://www.memtest86.com/download.html, > > 1 fromhttp://www.memtest.org/ > > > First test - > > > Booted up the PC with the Memtest bootCD fromwww.memtest86.com. > > Ran the test overnight. > > > No error ! > > > Went back to Windows, the halting problems cropped up. So I ran a > > second test. > > > Second test - > > > Booted up the PC with the Memtest bootCD fromwww.memtest.org. > > Ran the test overnight again. > > > Again, No error ! > > > Went back to Windows, again the halting problems !! So the 3rd test. > > > I drop XP to safe mode with command prompt, then call up 2 instances > > of the memtest fromhttp://hcidesign.com/memtest/, each checking > > 918MB. > > > Result - Errors ! > > > Memory Errors Detected ! > > Copying between 4c21c71 and 4c2193a did not result in accurate copy. > > > Memory Errors Detected ! > > Pair 19897713 does not store values accurately. > > > Memory Errors Detected ! > > Copying between 5547871 and 5547832 did not result in accurate copy. > > > Memory Errors Detected ! > > Copying between 4c32471 and 4c323a2 did not result in accurate copy. > > > Memory Errors Detected ! > > Copying between 36f8071 and 36f8060a did not result in accurate copy. > > > Memory Errors Detected ! > > Copying between 4c32471 and 4c322d9 did not result in accurate copy. > > > Conclusion: > > Something wrong with the DDR2 memory module ! > > > Problem: > > Which module giving out errors? > > > I got one of the DDR2 module out. Ran the memtest fromhttp://hcidesign.com/memtest/ > > -- no error. > > > Switch the sticks to test the other DDR2 module. Ran the memtest from > >http://hcidesign.com/memtest/-- again no error ! > > > Now I'm totally confused. Why when I ran the test with both DDR2 > > modules, I got errors, and no error when I ran the modules one at a > > time?? > > > So I ran the bootCD memtest test again, this time with one module at a > > time. Again no error on both runs ! > > > What am I doing wrong here? How am I going to locate which module that > > is giving out errors? Can anyone help out please? > > > Thank you ! > > read your mainboard's specifications carefully. > some boards will require that one slot be less capacity than the > other(s) when paired with one or more module, or have other niggling > details that you might need to ponder over. Re-read the owner's manual, no such mention at all. Got online and check the mobo manufacturer's site, also no such mention. The mobo got 2 slots for DDR2 module. Maximum is 2GB X 2, for a total of 4GB. On my PC, I populate it with 1GB X 2.
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: penang
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:02
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:02
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On Apr 10, 10:26 pm, kony <s...@spam.com> wrote: > On Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:37:42 -0700 (PDT), > > > > pen...@freemail.c3.hu wrote: > >Need help here ! > > >My PC has 2 DDR2 memory modules, 1GB each, for a total of 2GB RAM. > > >The OS is WinXP. > > >For the past few days, the PC kind of halting. Sometimes the cursor > >kind of not responding, sometimes some other things happened, > >indicating that something is terribly wrong --- most probably a MEMORY > >error. > > >I downloaded 3 memtest programs, > > 1 fromhttp://hcidesign.com/memtest/, > > 1 fromhttp://www.memtest86.com/download.html, > > 1 fromhttp://www.memtest.org/ > > >First test - > > > Booted up the PC with the Memtest bootCD fromwww.memtest86.com. > > Ran the test overnight. > > > No error ! > > >Went back to Windows, the halting problems cropped up. So I ran a > >second test. > > >Second test - > > > Booted up the PC with the Memtest bootCD fromwww.memtest.org. > > Ran the test overnight again. > > > Again, No error ! > > >Went back to Windows, again the halting problems !! So the 3rd test. > > >I drop XP to safe mode with command prompt, then call up 2 instances > >of the memtest fromhttp://hcidesign.com/memtest/, each checking > >918MB. > > >Result - Errors ! > > > Memory Errors Detected ! > > Copying between 4c21c71 and 4c2193a did not result in accurate copy. > > > Memory Errors Detected ! > > Pair 19897713 does not store values accurately. > > > Memory Errors Detected ! > > Copying between 5547871 and 5547832 did not result in accurate copy. > > > Memory Errors Detected ! > > Copying between 4c32471 and 4c323a2 did not result in accurate copy. > > > Memory Errors Detected ! > > Copying between 36f8071 and 36f8060a did not result in accurate copy. > > > Memory Errors Detected ! > > Copying between 4c32471 and 4c322d9 did not result in accurate copy. > > >Conclusion: > > Something wrong with the DDR2 memory module ! > > >Problem: > > Which module giving out errors? > > >I got one of the DDR2 module out. Ran the memtest fromhttp://hcidesign.com/memtest/ > >-- no error. > > >Switch the sticks to test the other DDR2 module. Ran the memtest from > >http://hcidesign.com/memtest/-- again no error ! > > >Now I'm totally confused. Why when I ran the test with both DDR2 > >modules, I got errors, and no error when I ran the modules one at a > >time?? > > This generally means there isn't a hard fault in either > memory module, instead a general instability of your > motherboard with multiple modules installed. Is your bios > set to "auto" or "SPD" for memory speed and timings? If > not, try that, and check on a motherboard bios update from > the manufacturer, sometimes they address memory problems. > > Beyond this you can instead get the specs for your memory to > determine what speed, timings, and voltage it's supposed to > need and try manually setting these values in the bios. If > that doesn't work, increase the voltage a little bit and > retest. If that doesn't work, try relaxing memory timings > some (higher numbers). > > You didn't tell us exactly what memory you have, what > timings it's spec'd for, nor what timings you are running. > "CPU-Z" can show you what info it read from the memory prom > and often what speed it's running at for a reference. > > > > >So I ran the bootCD memtest test again, this time with one module at a > >time. Again no error on both runs ! > > >What am I doing wrong here? How am I going to locate which module that > >is giving out errors? Can anyone help out please? > > If you have more than two memory slots you might also try > leaving a different one empty, or if it's running in dual > channel mode try in single channel mode - though it may be a > performance hit but besides raising voltage all the other > typical things you'd change to regain stability are also > minor performance hits. The other option is manually > setting a slower memory bus frequency, whether it be a ratio > or % or speed numbers in the bios. There are only 2 memory slots and I use both of them. Have also tried to alter the speed. The mobo is rated for 800MHz front- side-bus, and both the DDR2 modules are also rated 800Mhz. I have tried different configurations -- from 400MHz to 533MHz to 667MHz but all come down with errors. I've even tried disabling the L1/L2 cache trying to pinpoint the problem. Even with that severe performance hit, still the error comes up. I've also tried disabling the PCI settings on the BIOS. No luck either. At first I thought it was the RAM module. Then I thought it was the mobo. Now I dunno what to think. > Also examine the board for failed capacitors, bad power can > cause errors. Are you sure this system with this memory > previously ran ok or is it possible it had errors since the > first moment these memory modules were both installed? I eyeballed the mobo. No sign of capacitor fault. I even tried changing the power supply, but still no luck. I'm going to get 2 new DDR2 modules this weekend. I will run the tests again and will see if the problem is still there. If it's there, then it's the mobo. If the problems go away, then it is in the RAM module (one or both).
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: spodosaurus
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:16
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:16
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penang@freemail.c3.hu wrote: > On Apr 11, 4:13 am, spodosaurus <spodosaurus@_yahoo_.com> wrote: > >> So the only time this error pops up is from within windows? > > Actually there's no error message by XP. It's just the halting > problems that brought up my suspicions. > > The "Error message" I got is from the memtest program that I got from > hcidesign. *sigh* The hcidesign program runs under windows, right? > >> I'm assuming you let the memtest cdrom do it's thing for more than one >> pass, right? > > Yep. Ran the memtest cdrom thing overnight, for 4 nights. 2 nights > each for memtest86 v 3.4 and for memtest86+ v 2.01 > > No error whatsoever from both versions. -- spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life: http://www.abmdr.org.au/ http://www.marrow.org/
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: zach
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:29
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:29
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On Apr 11, 9:16 am, spodosaurus <spodosaurus@_yahoo_.com> wrote: > pen...@freemail.c3.hu wrote: > > On Apr 11, 4:13 am, spodosaurus <spodosaurus@_yahoo_.com> wrote: > > >> So the only time this error pops up is from within windows? > > > Actually there's no error message by XP. It's just the halting > > problems that brought up my suspicions. > > > The "Error message" I got is from the memtest program that I got from > > hcidesign. > > *sigh* > > The hcidesign program runs under windows, right? > > > > >> I'm assuming you let the memtest cdrom do it's thing for more than one > >> pass, right? > > > Yep. Ran the memtest cdrom thing overnight, for 4 nights. 2 nights > > each for memtest86 v 3.4 and for memtest86+ v 2.01 > > > No error whatsoever from both versions. > > -- > spammage trappage: remove the underscores to reply > Many people around the world are waiting for a marrow transplant. Please > volunteer to be a marrow donor and literally save someone's life:http://www.abmdr.org.au/http://www.marrow.org/ I like the HD test suggestion by Bob, but I have had problems like yours in the past setting up a PC, I had actually 4gb in there, and i had game crashes, windows problems, the whole works. I was stumped for ever and about to give up, when i came across a new memory test, called Orthos, you can just google search it, "Orthos memory test" the application also will over clock CPU, which in your case you won't probably need, and you can set options so it won't, I had mem test come clean over 36hours w/o errors, this ran for about 10minuts, and picked up errors, i hope this helps, good luck
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: kony
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:01
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:01
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On Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:55:17 -0700 (PDT), penang@freemail.c3.hu wrote: >> read your mainboard's specifications carefully. >> some boards will require that one slot be less capacity than the >> other(s) when paired with one or more module, or have other niggling >> details that you might need to ponder over. > > >Re-read the owner's manual, no such mention at all. Got online and >check the mobo manufacturer's site, also no such mention. > >The mobo got 2 slots for DDR2 module. Maximum is 2GB X 2, for a total >of 4GB. > >On my PC, I populate it with 1GB X 2. That should work, and usually motherboards are now *meant* to run two equal modules (in dual channel mode), certainly 2 x 1GB.
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: kony
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:04
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:04
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On Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:02:58 -0700 (PDT), penang@freemail.c3.hu wrote: >I'm going to get 2 new DDR2 modules this weekend. I will run the tests >again and will see if the problem is still there. If it's there, then >it's the mobo. If the problems go away, then it is in the RAM module >(one or both). It's not necessarily so simple. If you replaced those modules with some that default to different timings or have more margin over JEDEC values (assuming the other modules do meet spec), it could still be a motherboard problem that causes this fault and yet the higher margins on the replacement modules might mask, eliminate the instability. For practical purposes that is an acceptable result, but for returning the memory that doesn't work to the manufacturer for a warranty replacement it could be futile as you might get back exact same or equivalent modules.
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: kony
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:08
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:08
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On Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:29:39 -0700 (PDT), zach <zachvek@hotmail.com> wrote: <snip> > I was stumped for >ever and about to give up, when i came across a new memory test, >called Orthos, you can just google search it, "Orthos memory test" the >application also will over clock CPU, which in your case you won't >probably need, and you can set options so it won't, I had mem test >come clean over 36hours w/o errors, this ran for about 10minuts, and >picked up errors, i hope this helps, good luck While Orthos would pick up on limited memory errors, it is mostly a test of processor and a failure is most typically an indication of instable or insufficient processor voltage, overheating northbridge, overheating CPU, or overclocking pushed too far (incompatible manually set variables or overclocking as related to a need for more cooling or higher than stock voltage). Main point being, if Memtest86+ runs that long w/o error then orthos fails when one isn't overclocking and is using bios defaults, it tends to be an overheating or failing motherboard problem. Other things are possible, but probably less likely.
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: kony
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:22
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:22
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On Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:37:42 -0700 (PDT), penang@freemail.c3.hu wrote: >Need help here ! > >My PC has 2 DDR2 memory modules, 1GB each, for a total of 2GB RAM. > >The OS is WinXP. > >For the past few days, the PC kind of halting. Sometimes the cursor >kind of not responding, sometimes some other things happened, >indicating that something is terribly wrong --- most probably a MEMORY >error. > While it seems that one of the programs found memory errors, I would not be so certain that is the cause. If there were a fault in the one testing under windows, in the design of the program, that could result in it indicating errors that wouldn't have occurred otherwise. Generally, if a system is stable enough it can run memtest86+ (one of the other 2 test programs) for several hours without any faults appearing, your errors are infrequent enough that they would not cause the kind of symptoms you're seeing. It might be possible, but other things seem possible like a failing network connection or hard drive (whether drive be physically failing or a bad cable connection, etc, an interruption in disk subsystem). Be sure to check all windows logs including event viewer, to set windows to not reboot on error, and to write down stop code messages if you get bluescreens. It's also possible you have more than one problem. Memory errors just don't usually cause hesitation but then everything still seems to keep working, it tends to cause crashing instead, not just OS, GUI stalls. If your video card has a fan you might check to ensure it's working, and generally check temps as well, inspect whole system.
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: Franc Zabkar
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:15
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:15
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On Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:37:42 -0700 (PDT), penang@freemail.c3.hu put finger to keyboard and composed: >I drop XP to safe mode with command prompt, then call up 2 instances >of the memtest from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/, each checking >918MB. > >Result - Errors ! > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 4c21c71 and 4c2193a did not result in accurate copy. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Pair 19897713 does not store values accurately. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 5547871 and 5547832 did not result in accurate copy. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 4c32471 and 4c323a2 did not result in accurate copy. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 36f8071 and 36f8060a did not result in accurate copy. > > Memory Errors Detected ! > Copying between 4c32471 and 4c322d9 did not result in accurate copy. > >Conclusion: > Something wrong with the DDR2 memory module ! > >Problem: > Which module giving out errors? > >I got one of the DDR2 module out. Ran the memtest from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/ >-- no error. > >Switch the sticks to test the other DDR2 module. Ran the memtest from >http://hcidesign.com/memtest/ -- again no error ! IME RAM testing software often doesn't properly test refresh. Refresh errors usually show up in normal operation because, unlike most RAM diagnostic software, the OS may not read a memory location immediately after writing it, thus giving the data some time to decay. See http://www.memtest86.com/tech.html ====================================================================== Test 9 [Bit fade test, 90 min, 2 patterns] The bit fade test initializes all of memory with a pattern and then sleeps for 90 minutes. Then memory is examined to see if any memory bits have changed. All ones and all zero patterns are used. This test takes 3 hours to complete. The Bit Fade test is not included in the normal test sequence and must be run manually via the runtime configuration menu. ====================================================================== FWIW, I notice that the failing memory addresses all end in "71" which makes me wonder whether you have an addressing error. It's a pity that HCI Design didn't see fit to report the bit differences in the failing data patterns. :-( - Franc Zabkar -- Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: Pennywise
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:31
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:31
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penang@freemail.c3.hu wrote: >For the past few days, the PC kind of halting. Sometimes the cursor >kind of not responding, sometimes some other things happened, >indicating that something is terribly wrong You get an errors like can't write memory to location #### ? This can be caused by DEP, turn it off for the program(s) your having problems with. http://www.tech-recipes.com/windows_tips566.html -- Amiga Tribute, with help from GLaDOS http://youtube.com/watch?v=9mg6wrYCT9Q
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: larry moe 'n curly
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008 06:17
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008 06:17
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pen...@freemail.c3.hu wrote: > On Apr 11, 4:13 am, spodosaurus <spodosaurus@_yahoo_.com> wrote: > > I'm assuming you let the memtest cdrom do it's thing for more than one > > pass, right? > > Yep. Ran the memtest cdrom thing overnight, for 4 nights. 2 nights > each for memtest86 v 3.4 and for memtest86+ v 2.01 > > No error whatsoever from both versions. Another diagnostic is Gold Memory, from www.goldmemory.cz. For me, ver. 5.07 has found more errors than the newer versions have, including when MemTest86 has found none (and vice-versa).
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: CBFalconer
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:16
Date: Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:16
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spodosaurus wrote:
> penang@freemail.c3.hu wrote:
>
... snip ...
>
>> Switch the sticks to test the other DDR2 module. Ran the memtest
>> from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/ -- again no error !
>>
>> Now I'm totally confused. Why when I ran the test with both DDR2
>> modules, I got errors, and no error when I ran the modules one
>> at a time??
>>
>> So I ran the bootCD memtest test again, this time with one module
>> at a time. Again no error on both runs !
>>
>> What am I doing wrong here? How am I going to locate which module
>> that is giving out errors? Can anyone help out please?
>
> So the only time this error pops up is from within windows?
>
> I'm assuming you let the memtest cdrom do it's thing for more than
> one pass, right?
This is no help with your present difficulty, but it should help
avoid similar problems in future. You should have bought a system
with ECC memory (and the capability to use it). That converts
unreliable memory into quite reliable memory, and avoids all the
intermittent errors due to cosmic reays etc.
Just remember the phrase ECC and don't let anyone talk you out of
it.
--
[mail]: Chuck F (cbfalconer at maineline dot net)
[page]: <http://cbfalconer.home.att.net>
Try the download section.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: spodosaurus
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 11:39
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 11:39
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CBFalconer wrote: > spodosaurus wrote: >> penang@freemail.c3.hu wrote: >> > ... snip ... >>> Switch the sticks to test the other DDR2 module. Ran the memtest >>> from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/ -- again no error ! >>> >>> Now I'm totally confused. Why when I ran the test with both DDR2 >>> modules, I got errors, and no error when I ran the modules one >>> at a time?? >>> >>> So I ran the bootCD memtest test again, this time with one module >>> at a time. Again no error on both runs ! >>> >>> What am I doing wrong here? How am I going to locate which module >>> that is giving out errors? Can anyone help out please? >> So the only time this error pops up is from within windows? >> >> I'm assuming you let the memtest cdrom do it's thing for more than >> one pass, right? > > This is no help with your present difficulty, but it should help > avoid similar problems in future. You should have bought a system > with ECC memory (and the capability to use it). That converts > unreliable memory into quite reliable memory, and avoids all the > intermittent errors due to cosmic reays etc. > > Just remember the phrase ECC and don't let anyone talk you out of > it. > Don't be a dick.
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: CBFalconer
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:47
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:47
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spodosaurus wrote:
> CBFalconer wrote:
>> spodosaurus wrote:
>>> penang@freemail.c3.hu wrote:
>>>
>> ... snip ...
>>>> Switch the sticks to test the other DDR2 module. Ran the memtest
>>>> from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/ -- again no error !
>>>>
>>>> Now I'm totally confused. Why when I ran the test with both DDR2
>>>> modules, I got errors, and no error when I ran the modules one
>>>> at a time??
>>>>
>>>> So I ran the bootCD memtest test again, this time with one module
>>>> at a time. Again no error on both runs !
>>>>
>>>> What am I doing wrong here? How am I going to locate which module
>>>> that is giving out errors? Can anyone help out please?
>>> So the only time this error pops up is from within windows?
>>>
>>> I'm assuming you let the memtest cdrom do it's thing for more than
>>> one pass, right?
>>
>> This is no help with your present difficulty, but it should help
>> avoid similar problems in future. You should have bought a system
>> with ECC memory (and the capability to use it). That converts
>> unreliable memory into quite reliable memory, and avoids all the
>> intermittent errors due to cosmic reays etc.
>>
>> Just remember the phrase ECC and don't let anyone talk you out of
>> it. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> Don't be a dick.
Such as the ignorant ramblings of spodosaurus.
--
[mail]: Chuck F (cbfalconer at maineline dot net)
[page]: <http://cbfalconer.home.att.net>
Try the download section.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
Re: Questions about Memory Error -- The use of Memtest
Author: Unknown
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:32
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:32
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No, like you. "CBFalconer" <cbfalconer@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:48021D03.2591162C@yahoo.com... > spodosaurus wrote: >> CBFalconer wrote: >>> spodosaurus wrote: >>>> penang@freemail.c3.hu wrote: >>>> >>> ... snip ... >>>>> Switch the sticks to test the other DDR2 module. Ran the memtest >>>>> from http://hcidesign.com/memtest/ -- again no error ! >>>>> >>>>> Now I'm totally confused. Why when I ran the test with both DDR2 >>>>> modules, I got errors, and no error when I ran the modules one >>>>> at a time?? >>>>> >>>>> So I ran the bootCD memtest test again, this time with one module >>>>> at a time. Again no error on both runs ! >>>>> >>>>> What am I doing wrong here? How am I going to locate which module >>>>> that is giving out errors? Can anyone help out please? >>>> So the only time this error pops up is from within windows? >>>> >>>> I'm assuming you let the memtest cdrom do it's thing for more than >>>> one pass, right? >>> >>> This is no help with your present difficulty, but it should help >>> avoid similar problems in future. You should have bought a system >>> with ECC memory (and the capability to use it). That converts >>> unreliable memory into quite reliable memory, and avoids all the >>> intermittent errors due to cosmic reays etc. >>> >>> Just remember the phrase ECC and don't let anyone talk you out of >>> it. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >> >> Don't be a dick. > > Such as the ignorant ramblings of spodosaurus. > > -- > [mail]: Chuck F (cbfalconer at maineline dot net) > [page]: <http://cbfalconer.home.att.net> > Try the download section. > > > ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
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