BSOD 1-3 Times a Day, Usually While Not In Use

Collectonian · 13 Oct 2012

Switched to memtest and almost immediate got lots of red errors (over 800)....proceeding with the steps outlined on the page you linked too :)

Arc · 13 Oct 2012

I guess you have pointed the culprit out.
Plan for changing the RAM module.

Collectonian · 13 Oct 2012

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too. Stick 1 by itself, so far, no errors; stick 2 again threw up tons of errors as soon as it was hit. Now testing the first stick in the other 3 slots.

Britton30 · 13 Oct 2012

Good plan, one must test each DIMM in each slot to either condemn the RAM or motherboard. Any errors, stop and go to the next step.

Also if your BIOS is not set to the RAM specs can cause memtest errors. If you have the option of settings.

Collectonian · 14 Oct 2012

Thanks again everyone for all the help. Further testing resulted in errors from both of the memory sticks. My boyfriend had also brought over 2 of the original 1 gig sticks that he'd replaced, so I tested those. They came in clean after 18 passes each. 2 gigs won't make for the blazing speed the system usual does, but should be enough to keep the system running to see if there are anymore BSODs.

I think he still has the other 2 1 gig sticks as well, so if he does I'm going to get him to bring those over so I can test them - if they are also good, that will get the system back to 4 gigs again

*crossing fingers*

Britton30 · 15 Oct 2012

Good news. It may be a good idea to get a new matched set of RAM. A 2x3GB DDR3 kit can be had for under $50, DDR2 may be more.

Collectonian · 19 Oct 2012

Happy to say, 5 days later, still no more BSODs

SP1 installed fine, some parts of Adobe CS4 that kept failing also installed with no more issues, and the wifi hasn't gotten "lost" again

Now to shop for some 2 gig DDR2 sticks (max allowed per slot)

Thanks all! Without the BSODs, it really is a great computer :-D

Britton30 · 19 Oct 2012

Sounds good! I meant 2x2GB kit in my last post, not 2x3GB.