PCA Forums

Original thread for reference:
http://www.pcabusers.net/forums/showthr ... adid=27252

Well my BSODs seemed to have resurfaced in the last few days after being (seemingly) cured by moving my RAM to different slots. I am now pretty convinced I have a problem with my memory system somewhere, but I am uncertain if it is the motherboard or the memory itself. I am talking to a friend to see if I can swap memory with him for a few days to see what happens, but in the meantime, I have a question:

If moving my RAM to different slots cured my problems (at least temporarily; I went a month w/out a single BSOD), does that indicate the problem is probably with the board? My logic is this: if the RAM were bad, wouldn't I keep getting BSODs no matter where the sticks were positioned? The RAM was been subjected to the same loads as it was in the original slots, so its not an issue of usage (I don't think).

Obviously, I'd like for the problem to be the RAM because its cheaper than a new board, but I'd also like to nip this one for good since its very frustrating for my productivity at work. TIA

you should run memtest on your ram, do it with 1 stick installed at a time, most ram has a lifetime waranty nowadays, so im hoping for you that it is your memory as well. Swapping out with a freind is also a good idea, for process of elimination always helps

Download DocMemory (Memtest or ANY windows based test doesn't test all your memory):

http://www.docmemory.com/page/products/ ... SignIn.asp

Download DocMemory...

Been there, done that. I ran DocMemory overnight and it passed every test (as I metnioned in the other thread. ). The feedback that I got in the other thread is that the fact that it passed does not neccesarily mean that it is 100%.

So am I write in guessing that its more liekly a problem with my board?

Docmemory is VERY thorough. The only test more thorough is to buy one of those $500 memory tester boxes.

In my experience if it passes Docmemory, the memory is fine (unless it's cracked - see below).

Some suggestions:

- I've seen memory sticks get hairline fractures in them - the stick will may test okay because the crack is closed, but as the temperature varies in the computer, the crack will open and close causing errors.

- You can get hairline cracks in the mobo too - one reason you need to be VERY gentle inserting memory sticks.

- If you're overclocking, don't until you solve the problem. O/Cing increases instability. It'll only make it harder to track down the problem.

- Check your +5, +12 and +3.3 volt buses. Make sure they are not over or under 5% of what they're supposed to be. Do not rely on Motherboard Monitor - it's inherently inaccurate. Use the PC Health menu in BIOS or - better yet - use a digital multimeter.

- Make sure you're getting adequate cooling, the HSF is firmly heated on the CPU.

- If moving memory appears to affect the problem (could be coincidence, could be you have a metal shaving on the PC board somewhere near the memory or in a memory socket, or could be you have a bad memory socket) and if there's an open memory socket, try moving the memory around to see if you can avoid the bad socket. Use some canned air to blow any metal particles off the mobo and out of the memory sockets.

- In BIOS make sure that Video memory caching and Video Shadowing are disabled. For some stupid reason a lot of mobos enable them by default, but this causes a LOT of problems with modern vid cards. It's a legacy video setting.

- In BIOS use the "by SPD" default timing. Don't try to run CAS 3 at CAS 2. Yeah it might work, but it'll also make the system more unstable which equals random occasional BSODs.

Hope this helps...