Need help-- Memtest86

I added memory to my Dell Dim 2400 and now twice I've gotten the blue
screen. The computer shuts off. The screen says"A problem has been detected
and windows has been shut down to prevent damage..." It goes on for a bit.

But I also added the linksys router soon after adding the memory. I suspect
it might be a router/driver problem or obviously the memory.

It has been suggested that I try memtest86.

But I don't know how to use it. I d/l it and get a zip file. Run this and I
end up with 4 files. I know somehow I am supposed to end up with a bootable
CD. How do I get to that point?? When I click on any of the 4 aforementioned
programs nothing seems to happen. I do have a formatted CD, but it's not
bootable.

I'm sure it isn't too complicated, but I can't seem to do this.

At this point, I've removed the router. If the problem occurs again, does
that mean it is definitely NOT the router, or might there still be some
drivers that kick in and cause a conflict?

MB

i can't instruct you on how to use memtest, but i have this suggestion...
remove the memory that you recently added to the system and see if your blue
screen errors go away. the dimension 2100 came from the factory with pc2100
or pc2700 memory. what did you install in it?

"MB_" wrote in message
...
I added memory to my Dell Dim 2400 and now twice I've gotten the blue
screen. The computer shuts off. The screen says"A problem has been detected
and windows has been shut down to prevent damage..." It goes on for a bit.

But I also added the linksys router soon after adding the memory. I
suspect it might be a router/driver problem or obviously the memory.

It has been suggested that I try memtest86.

But I don't know how to use it. I d/l it and get a zip file. Run this and
I end up with 4 files. I know somehow I am supposed to end up with a
bootable CD. How do I get to that point?? When I click on any of the 4
aforementioned programs nothing seems to happen. I do have a formatted CD,
but it's not bootable.

I'm sure it isn't too complicated, but I can't seem to do this.

At this point, I've removed the router. If the problem occurs again, does
that mean it is definitely NOT the router, or might there still be some
drivers that kick in and cause a conflict?

MB

MEMTEST-86 was done by some Linux developers with the typical fairly cryptic
documentation.

If you downloaded the bootable CD version of MEMTEST-86, you need to have CD
burning software which understands how to burn an ISO image properly. Nero is
one possibility. If you don't have such software, better to create a bootable
floppy, assuming that your 2400 has a floppy drive.

If you downloaded the bootable floppy version of MEMTEST-86, you have to run a
program called RAWRITE or RAWRITE2 in a DOS windows. When fed the proper
command line parameters, it will create a bootable floppy with MEMTEST-86 on it.
See the MEMTEST-86 web site for instructions how to prepare a bootable floppy.

Whichever version you use, it will boot up Linux and load MEMTEST-86
immediately. MEMTEST-86 runs a series of tests repeatedly. Each series is
called a "pass", as in making a pass through the tests. If your system
completes several passes of MEMTEST-86 without displaying any errors, the memory
is both good and compatible with your motherboard. Any error at all is a sign
of a problem... Ben Myers

On Thu, 8 Sep 2005 17:14:30 -0400, "MB_" wrote:

I added memory to my Dell Dim 2400 and now twice I've gotten the blue
screen. The computer shuts off. The screen says"A problem has been detected
and windows has been shut down to prevent damage..." It goes on for a bit.

But I also added the linksys router soon after adding the memory. I suspect
it might be a router/driver problem or obviously the memory.

It has been suggested that I try memtest86.

But I don't know how to use it. I d/l it and get a zip file. Run this and I
end up with 4 files. I know somehow I am supposed to end up with a bootable
CD. How do I get to that point?? When I click on any of the 4 aforementioned
programs nothing seems to happen. I do have a formatted CD, but it's not
bootable.

I'm sure it isn't too complicated, but I can't seem to do this.

At this point, I've removed the router. If the problem occurs again, does
that mean it is definitely NOT the router, or might there still be some
drivers that kick in and cause a conflict?

MB

Whichever version you use, it will boot up Linux and load MEMTEST-86
immediately. MEMTEST-86 runs a series of tests repeatedly. Each series is
called a "pass", as in making a pass through the tests. If your system
completes several passes of MEMTEST-86 without displaying any errors, the memory
is both good and compatible with your motherboard. Any error at all is a sign
of a problem... Ben Myers

The full range of tests can take some considerable length of time, as it
feeds the memory with data in almost every conceivable way to check for
weaknesses, but the odds are if you`ve had no errors in the first 30
minutes, its not a memory problem :-}

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Thanks for your suggestions. I was finally able to get a bootable floppy.

I did 2 passes. I got 3 errors. They were at 413.7 MB, 440.7 MB, 413.7 MB.
They all happened in Test #7 which is a Random test.

I'm going to just do it again and let it run for quite a few passes, BUT:

Can we conclude with these results that the second module (machine came with
256 MB and I added the second 256 MB, Kingston Technology module) is BAD??
Or would it require many errors???

Mel




"Colin Wilson" wrote in message
t...
Whichever version you use, it will boot up Linux and load MEMTEST-86
immediately. MEMTEST-86 runs a series of tests repeatedly. Each series
is
called a "pass", as in making a pass through the tests. If your system
completes several passes of MEMTEST-86 without displaying any errors, the
memory
is both good and compatible with your motherboard. Any error at all is a
sign
of a problem... Ben Myers

The full range of tests can take some considerable length of time, as it
feeds the memory with data in almost every conceivable way to check for
weaknesses, but the odds are if you`ve had no errors in the first 30
minutes, its not a memory problem :-}

--
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**** My email address includes "ngspamtrap" and " ****

As counterpoint, I have been running MEMTEST-86 with each and every memory
upgrade or memory install that I have done in the last 18 months. I make sure
that it runs at least one complete range of tests, no matter how long it takes.
On a modern Pentium 4 system, a complete pass takes no more than 10 minutes,
even with 512MB of memory. On older slower systems, longer, up to an hour. But
the key is to run at least one complete pass.

Since I have been doing so, there has not been even one reported problem with
installed memory. Not one. Run a complete pass, no matter how long it takes.

.... Ben Myers

On Thu, 8 Sep 2005 23:01:16 +0100, Colin Wilson wrote:

Whichever version you use, it will boot up Linux and load MEMTEST-86
immediately. MEMTEST-86 runs a series of tests repeatedly. Each series is
called a "pass", as in making a pass through the tests. If your system
completes several passes of MEMTEST-86 without displaying any errors, the memory
is both good and compatible with your motherboard. Any error at all is a sign
of a problem... Ben Myers

The full range of tests can take some considerable length of time, as it
feeds the memory with data in almost every conceivable way to check for
weaknesses, but the odds are if you`ve had no errors in the first 30
minutes, its not a memory problem :-}

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Mel,

The easiest thing to do is to remove the 256MB and move the 512MB into its
slot. Then run Memtest. If it doesn't fail, then the 512mb is likely ok
and that slot is OK. Duplicate the test with the 256mb. If it is still OK,
the put the modules in as 256mb/512mb. Run see where it fails. then swap
them. If it fails in the same spot, I'd bet on the motherboard slot and a
call to Dell is in order.

I'm betting on the 512 being bad.

Tom
"MB_" wrote in message
...
Thanks for your suggestions. I was finally able to get a bootable floppy.

I did 2 passes. I got 3 errors. They were at 413.7 MB, 440.7 MB, 413.7 MB.
They all happened in Test #7 which is a Random test.

I'm going to just do it again and let it run for quite a few passes, BUT:

Can we conclude with these results that the second module (machine came
with 256 MB and I added the second 256 MB, Kingston Technology module) is
BAD?? Or would it require many errors???

Mel




"Colin Wilson" wrote in message
t...
Whichever version you use, it will boot up Linux and load MEMTEST-86
immediately. MEMTEST-86 runs a series of tests repeatedly. Each series
is
called a "pass", as in making a pass through the tests. If your system
completes several passes of MEMTEST-86 without displaying any errors,
the memory
is both good and compatible with your motherboard. Any error at all is
a sign
of a problem... Ben Myers

The full range of tests can take some considerable length of time, as it
feeds the memory with data in almost every conceivable way to check for
weaknesses, but the odds are if you`ve had no errors in the first 30
minutes, its not a memory problem :-}

--
Please add the word "newsgroup" in the subject line of personal emails
**** My email address includes "ngspamtrap" and " ****

Yes, the second 256MB is not quite right. Even ONE error is enough for me to
remove a memory module. The small number of errors with MEMTEST-86 correlates
well with the BSODs or other failures you've seen running Windows.

Nothing wrong with the Kingston brand name, just that particular memory module.
Maybe it's the electronic specs that are not right for the motherboard. Maybe
it's simply a defective module... Ben Myers

On Thu, 8 Sep 2005 18:32:51 -0400, "MB_" wrote:

Thanks for your suggestions. I was finally able to get a bootable floppy.

I did 2 passes. I got 3 errors. They were at 413.7 MB, 440.7 MB, 413.7 MB.
They all happened in Test #7 which is a Random test.

I'm going to just do it again and let it run for quite a few passes, BUT:

Can we conclude with these results that the second module (machine came with
256 MB and I added the second 256 MB, Kingston Technology module) is BAD??
Or would it require many errors???

Mel




"Colin Wilson" wrote in message
et...
Whichever version you use, it will boot up Linux and load MEMTEST-86
immediately. MEMTEST-86 runs a series of tests repeatedly. Each series
is
called a "pass", as in making a pass through the tests. If your system
completes several passes of MEMTEST-86 without displaying any errors, the
memory
is both good and compatible with your motherboard. Any error at all is a
sign
of a problem... Ben Myers

The full range of tests can take some considerable length of time, as it
feeds the memory with data in almost every conceivable way to check for
weaknesses, but the odds are if you`ve had no errors in the first 30
minutes, its not a memory problem :-}

--
Please add the word "newsgroup" in the subject line of personal emails
**** My email address includes "ngspamtrap" and " ****

MB_ wrote:
I added memory to my Dell Dim 2400 and now twice I've gotten the blue
screen. The computer shuts off. The screen says"A problem has been detected
and windows has been shut down to prevent damage..." It goes on for a bit.

But I also added the linksys router soon after adding the memory. I suspect
it might be a router/driver problem or obviously the memory.

It has been suggested that I try memtest86.

But I don't know how to use it. I d/l it and get a zip file. Run this and I
end up with 4 files. I know somehow I am supposed to end up with a bootable
CD. How do I get to that point?? When I click on any of the 4 aforementioned
programs nothing seems to happen. I do have a formatted CD, but it's not
bootable.

I'm sure it isn't too complicated, but I can't seem to do this.

At this point, I've removed the router. If the problem occurs again, does
that mean it is definitely NOT the router, or might there still be some
drivers that kick in and cause a conflict?

MB



You've had good advice on memtest86.

Assume you have not exceeded the maximum memory that the system supports??

Different track...
I've had systems where reversing the order of simms in the system fixed it.
Test memory with one simm, ok
Test memory with other simm, ok
Test memory with both simms, fail
Test memory with reversed order both simms, ok

Some memory has hardware to tell the computer what speed it is.
Some computers use this info.
Others might test speed.
But if the speeds are mismatched and the computer looks at the fastest
one, the slow one might fail.
This has all been conjecture...YMMV.
mike

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