Memory test failed!

Ranger · Post by **Ranger** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:10 am

Hi,

My computer crashes every few hours, no matter how easy the work is (even only internet browsing and text input in notepad).
At restart, XP requires a diskcheck which comes out with a no problems result.

I suspected a memory problem and I did a memory test with the "memtest" utility (MemTest-86 v3.4).

To my astonishment, all the tests came out bad:
INVC failed
LRAND failed
Stride 6 failed
WMATS+ failed
WINVC failed

Now, in these conditions I wonder how the computer can function at all..!

Anyway, what should I do in order to solve the problem?

Thanks.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:56 am

Replace the memory. Most memory, if not all, carries a lifetime guarantee.

Post by **Philip** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:57 am

Try to slow down RAM timings in BIOS... When booting the PC, it's usually DEL, or sometimes F1, F2, F10.

If you're still getting Memtest errors after slowing down RAM (i.e. from DDR800 to DDR667, etc.), try removing a stick and testing again, or moving them to different memory banks (if your motherboard allows it).

By testing with Memtest and only one stick of RAM at a time you can determine which one is bad.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 9:41 am

Ranger wrote:Hi,

My computer crashes every few hours, no matter how easy the work is (even only internet browsing and text input in notepad).
At restart, XP requires a diskcheck which comes out with a no problems result.

I suspected a memory problem and I did a memory test with the "memtest" utility (MemTest-86 v3.4).

To my astonishment, all the tests came out bad:
INVC failed
LRAND failed
Stride 6 failed
WMATS+ failed
WINVC failed

Now, in these conditions I wonder how the computer can function at all..!

Anyway, what should I do in order to solve the problem?

Thanks.

memory is really cheap right now,

and very easy to replace,

what type of RAM does your pc use ?

Ranger · Post by **Ranger** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 10:18 am

OK, here's some info about my machine:

CPU: Core2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4 GHz
System Memory 2037 MB
MB clock 343MHz
HDD: 100Gb

OS: Windows XP Pro SP2

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:34 am

Ranger wrote:OK, here's some info about my machine:

CPU: Core2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4 GHz
System Memory 2037 MB
MB clock 343MHz
HDD: 100Gb

OS: Windows XP Pro SP2

To know the RAM that you need, we really need to know your motherboard make and model...

I am moving this to Hardware...

downhill · Post by **downhill** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:51 pm

Memory test failed? I feel your pain..

Ranger · Post by **Ranger** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 4:23 am

OK, this is the most I can squeeze from my system analyzer program:

CPU: Core2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4 GHz
System Memory DDR2 2 x 1GB / 400Mhz
MB: Gygabyte G31M-S2L / 343MHz
HDD: 100Gb

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:22 am

Ranger wrote:OK, this is the most I can squeeze from my system analyzer program:

CPU: Core2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4 GHz
System Memory DDR2 2 x 1GB / 400Mhz
MB: Gygabyte G31M-S2L / 343MHz
HDD: 100Gb

something like this should work,it looks like you have PC2 3200 DDR2 ram,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820134285
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820134181

or do a more thorough search for some that fits your budget,

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:33 am

So have you slowed down the RAM at all yet?

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:06 am

I helped a guy the other day with a similar problem.. turned out to be the slot in his motherboard. I suggest trying one stick in different slots.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:24 am

Sava700 wrote:I helped a guy the other day with a similar problem.. turned out to be the slot in his motherboard. I suggest trying one stick in different slots.

ya,that's a good idea,I'm sure there are some troubleshooting steps you guys can walk him through first.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:22 pm

OK, this is your motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813128078

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Mot ... uctID=2693

I get a feeling that you are not comfortable going into BIOS to adjust timings and as cheap as RAM is, it may be best to just replace it...

This is the RAM that has been tested by Gigabyte to work with your board:

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/FileList/Mem ... 1m-s2l.pdf

This is what it specs:
2 x 1.8V DDR2 DIMM sockets supporting up to 4 GB of system memory
Dual channel memory architecture
Support for DDR2 1066(O.C.)/800/667 MHz memory modules

You want DDR2 1066 or DDR2 800 or DDR2 667, 1.8v, dual channel (so you want to use paired DIMMs) and I would stay with 1 GB sticks, even though it supports 2 GB, as sometimes they don't play nice...

To be safe for you, these are your best bet. I would suggest picking one that has good reviews:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... rder=PRICE

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 5:52 pm

Any update?