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#1
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Memtest86 reports no error at the store, but reports errors here!!
I don't know what is going on with my DDR Ram memory here.
Earlier this week, I have run a memtest86 in the office and found out that the memory was bad (lots of red error messages on the screen). I took it to the computer store, they tested it, and they found the same errors. The guy said he cleaned it, set it back into place, ran the memtest86 again, and it went through without any error. Back into the Office, I have the memory problems again, I run memtest86 and... The red warnings showing the errors again. The memory and the mobo are all brand new, they're not dusty at all. I did the test with another memory, and there are also these errors. Should I change both of them? Is there a way to "clean" them, or to fix them? -- Thanks, Admin. Want to buy me a book? http://tinyurl.com/78xzb |
#2
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errors. The guy said he cleaned it, set it back into place, ran the
memtest86 again, and it went through without any error. That sounds like BS to me. Were you a witness to him running the memtest? Is there a substantial (10º +) difference in temperature between your office and the computer shop? Did he say that the system's airflow was cut off by dust? I'd bring the computer back to the guy (in the afternoon, when it's hottest) and have him run the memtest in front of you. -- "I don't cheat to survive. I cheat to LIVE!!" - Alceryes "Admin" wrote in message newsp.swwfioo1uoj956@charles... I don't know what is going on with my DDR Ram memory here. Earlier this week, I have run a memtest86 in the office and found out that the memory was bad (lots of red error messages on the screen). I took it to the computer store, they tested it, and they found the same errors. The guy said he cleaned it, set it back into place, ran the memtest86 again, and it went through without any error. Back into the Office, I have the memory problems again, I run memtest86 and... The red warnings showing the errors again. The memory and the mobo are all brand new, they're not dusty at all. I did the test with another memory, and there are also these errors. Should I change both of them? Is there a way to "clean" them, or to fix them? -- Thanks, Admin. Want to buy me a book? http://tinyurl.com/78xzb |
#3
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On Sat, 10 Sep 2005 15:12:14 -0300, Admin
wrote: I don't know what is going on with my DDR Ram memory here. Earlier this week, I have run a memtest86 in the office and found out that the memory was bad (lots of red error messages on the screen). I took it to the computer store, they tested it, and they found the same errors. The guy said he cleaned it, set it back into place, ran the memtest86 again, and it went through without any error. Back into the Office, I have the memory problems again, I run memtest86 and... The red warnings showing the errors again. The memory and the mobo are all brand new, they're not dusty at all. I did the test with another memory, and there are also these errors. Should I change both of them? Is there a way to "clean" them, or to fix them? Memtest checks for memory errors. That doesn't mean the memory is bad, necessarily, only that the specific module as installed at the moment in a _specific_motherboard_ is not stable. It can be (and often is) the motherboard itself that is partly to blame. It doesn't matter what the "guy" determined, if the memory's spec is supposedly suitable for the system but your system isn't stable running it, you should return it for a refund... most preferribly NOT an exchange for exact same brand/model of memory because of this potential for the motherboard or motherboard-memory interaction (compatibility issues) problem potential. Check your bios to see if it's running "auto" or "SPD" timings. If bios settings are misconfigured, correct that. You might try clearing CMOS, if you can set any necessary bios settings yourself afterwards. "Sometimes" a bios update can help. If you know how to manually set memory timings that can help too, but is generally best done when you "need" to keep/use a particular module for some reason, not when you have the possiblity of being able to return the module instead. |
#4
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Memory must run fine in every type of bus condition from 20
up. This is an arbitrary number provided only to demonstrate the process. Your computer may be a 40. His tester may be a 70. Therefore the memory will work everytime in his tester AND memory is still defective - it will not work on a 50 bus or less. One way to make errors obvious is to use a hairdryer. Did this once with memory. It would work just fine during test. Computer would crash periodically. Vendor refused to admit memory was bad until I warmed it with a hairdryer on high. Then it failed in his tester every time. Warm memory changes defective memory from a 50 to a 20. If memory was good, it would remain at above 100. Memory calls it "pig's heaven" - thinks 70 degree F and 100+ degrees F are ideal and comfortable temperatures. If you don't think so, then get the manufacturer's data sheets - provide numbers that say otherwise. Intermittent memory tends to show its pathetic nature only when heated to 100+ degrees - a hairdryer on high. BTW what do we do for flight hardware? We run those ICs right up at the maximum spec temperatures, cycle temperatures, and test again. Contrary to myth, this causes no damage, no significant stress, and finds intermittents before they morph into hard failures. Learn from how testing was done even in the 1960s. Your memory should remain at well over 100 even when heated by a hairdryer. BTW, if the memory vendor said he cleaned the memory pins, then you know his technical knowledge is fully based in myths. Those electrical connections are self cleaning. And yet still some naive will take an eraser and clean those contacts. Classic myth purveyor who would make a good FEMA Director. Admin wrote: I don't know what is going on with my DDR Ram memory here. Earlier this week, I have run a memtest86 in the office and found out that the memory was bad (lots of red error messages on the screen). I took it to the computer store, they tested it, and they found the same errors. The guy said he cleaned it, set it back into place, ran the memtest86 again, and it went through without any error. Back into the Office, I have the memory problems again, I run memtest86 and... The red warnings showing the errors again. The memory and the mobo are all brand new, they're not dusty at all. I did the test with another memory, and there are also these errors. Should I change both of them? Is there a way to "clean" them, or to fix them? |
#5
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On Sat, 10 Sep 2005 15:12:14 -0300 As Androids Dreamed Of Electric
Sheep and then Admin wrote : I don't know what is going on with my DDR Ram memory here. Earlier this week, I have run a memtest86 in the office and found out that the memory was bad (lots of red error messages on the screen). I took it to the computer store, they tested it, and they found the same errors. The guy said he cleaned it, set it back into place, ran the memtest86 again, and it went through without any error. Back into the Office, I have the memory problems again, I run memtest86 and... The red warnings showing the errors again. The memory and the mobo are all brand new, they're not dusty at all. I did the test with another memory, and there are also these errors. Should I change both of them? Is there a way to "clean" them, or to fix them? Software memory testers aren't worth the cost of the download let alone running. My 10 penn'th -- Free Windows/PC help, http://www.geocities.com/sheppola/trouble.html |
#6
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Admin wrote:
I don't know what is going on with my DDR Ram memory here. Earlier this week, I have run a memtest86 in the office and found out that the memory was bad (lots of red error messages on the screen). I took it to the computer store, they tested it, and they found the same errors. The guy said he cleaned it, set it back into place, ran snip Is the RAM...the "generic" type that the store has on special? I'd return it for a know-good name brand...even if it's more expensive. Or... try clocking down the RAM a bit. |
#7
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Admin wrote: Earlier this week, I have run a memtest86 in the office and found out that the memory was bad (lots of red error messages on the screen). I took it to the computer store, they tested it, and they found the same errors. The guy said he cleaned it, set it back into place, ran the memtest86 again, and it went through without any error. Back into the Office, I have the memory problems again, I run memtest86 and... The red warnings showing the errors again. The memory and the mobo are all brand new, they're not dusty at all. I did the test with another memory, and there are also these errors. Should I change both of them? Is there a way to "clean" them, or to fix them? You deserve a refund because you paid to have the computer fixed or at least diagnosed exactly, not to have a clueless guy tinker with it and do something useless. I can't imagine dust on a new mobo and memory being thick enough to affect anything, so why didn't the guy simply chant and pray? In the repair report, what are the values of the voltages, not just the PSU's but also for the CPU core, memory bus, and AGP slot? I'd remove and reseat the memory, but if that doesn't help (it probably won't), change the memory parameters in the BIOS. Sometimes the automatic settings (SPD) are wrong for a module because it's rated faster than the mobo's memory speed (i.e., PC3200 memory in a PC2100 mobo) or the module maker was lax about screening its chips for speed and quality and used marginal ones (often the case when the chip maker's part numbers are missing and the chips have only the module maker's marks on them) that may require underclocking. I've experienced this even with some national brands, most recently Kingston. A memory diagnostic has to be run for several hours, maybe overnight, to find all errors, and while MemTest86 has gotten high marks (see www.realworldtech.com review), you should also use Gold Memory (www.goldmemory.cz) to find errors it misses. Gold has also missed errors for me, so it's important to use both diagnostics. |
#8
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Shep=A9 wrote: Software memory testers aren't worth the cost of the download let alone running. How much does a good hardware memory tester cost, and do most computer shops with hardware testers have the good ones? I've seen some selling for $500 US, and one store said that theirs cost $700. If software testers are useless, why have they found defects in some of the modules I've bought (only those with no-name chips, not those with chip makers' part numbers on them) and have done so consistently with each pass? Also how do you explain this: http://www.realworldtech.com/page.cf...WT052001232443 and this: http://www.realworldtech.com/page.cf...WT120901222920 , where some software testers did as well as the hardware testers from Ultra-X? |
#9
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philo wrote: Is the RAM...the "generic" type that the store has on special? I'd return it for a know-good name brand...even if it's more expensive. Or... try clocking down the RAM a bit. What's a good name brand? Because even Kingston, PNY, K-byte, Centon, and maybe even Corsair now use no-name chips in at least some of their modules. I buy locally from stores with 100% money-back guarantees because of the high defect rates I've experienced with some of these. |
#10
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On 11 Sep 2005 16:26:29 -0700, "larry moe 'n curly"
wrote: What's a good name brand? Because even Kingston, PNY, K-byte, Centon, and maybe even Corsair now use no-name chips in at least some of their modules. I buy locally from stores with 100% money-back guarantees because of the high defect rates I've experienced with some of these. What ever happened to Micron? http://www.micron.com/ -- Greatest Movie Line Ever http://home.houston.rr.com/rkba/MovieLine.wmv "What is history but the story of how politicians have squandered the blood and treasure of the human race?" --Thomas Sowell |
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