I think my computer has Alzheimer's

Scythe

<div class="IPBDescription">Memory problems</div>New computer. Issues did not manifest right away, only cropped up about two months after I had it.

Hardware: 2x2GB Gskill DDR3
OS: WinXP 64bit SP3

Symptoms: Programs would crash, citing memory allocation failures. Games including L4D and WoW and programs including Firefox and Winamp. If game subsequently restarted after crash, probability of sudden hard reboot exceedingly likely. Seems more likely to occur if browser (firefox) is open at the time.

Booted up a Memtest86 CD. After 1:24 hours of running I received the following report:

<img src="http://www.tjhowse.com/computer/memprob.png" border="0" class="linked-image" />

This informed me that I have errors in both memory modules. I didn't take its word for it and individually tested each module. I found no errors in each individually. I put them both back in, in the opposite position they were in originally and let Memtest86 complete test #7, no errors were found.

Possible explainations:

Heat related. My case gets quite hot thanks to a HD4970X2 which could comfortably heat a small room. When running the individual tests it mightn't've gotten hot enough to start failing. Modules are hot to the touch, but not too hot to grab. Caseflow is generally ok, might install another fan and see if situation improves.

Memory modules wiggled slightly loose. Reseating popped them back into place. Here's hoping.

I will continue to test and see if I can get it to crash again.

Anyone got any suggestions or experience in parsing a Memtest86 report? I can only glean "Memory over = very yes" from that text.

--Scythe--

lolfighter

<!--quoteo(post=1695472:date=Dec 7 2008, 12:23 PM:name=Scythe)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Scythe @ Dec 7 2008, 12:23 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1695472"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I can only glean "Memory over = very yes" from that text.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
That's not a good prize!

Zaggy

ANY errors in memtest means memory == dead
I'd try another memory testing app, vista's installation medium has one too I believe.

Get some more airflow in that case of yours, stick a 120mm fan in there if possible.

lolfighter

If by "dead" you mean "damaged," then no. That CAN be the case, but improperly seated memory, for instance, can cause errors. So can a faulty north bridge, even if the memory itself is perfectly fine.

Drfuzzy

Bad motherboard can cause memory errors too, try some known good sticks.

lolfighter

That would be the aforementioned north bridge.

Rob

[House]I think, it's an infection.[/House]

Faskalia

<!--quoteo(post=1695595:date=Dec 8 2008, 05:21 PM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolfighter @ Dec 8 2008, 05:21 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1695595"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->That would be the aforementioned north bridge.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Northbridge, near Worchester?
Nice town!

Or mabye you were refering to the Memory Controller Hub, which is often (in reference to the southbridge) labeled northbridge.

lolfighter

Y'know, that's quite the educated guess you're making there.