SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION Toshiba Satellite L555 Windows 7 bit-64

TVeblen said:

In addition you'd want to perform another test. Switch the known working stick of RAM with the other one in the same slot and test.

You are actually hoping that it fails with that second stick. This is because replacing faulty RAM is easy. If both sticks turn out to be good in Slot A1 then that raises the possibility that the other RAM slot is fried. And that may necessitate a motherboard replacement.

A third possibility is that the motherboard voltages for the RAM slots need to be adjusted.

But do that test and lets see if both RAM sticks are good.

Just to sure, RAM slot A1 is the slot at the bottom or the slot at the top? I am assume it's the one at the bottom. Also, out of curiosity what would happen if I only use the other slot only (A2) ?

TVeblen said:

I'm sorry, I was thinking desktop computer. Yours is a laptop.

Yes, you probably only have two slots, so the one you have RAM in now is most likely Slot 1 but I can't be sure without seeing the laptop or reading the service manual.

But do not be afraid to experiment. You can't do any damage with trying the RAM in different places, assuming of course that you are taking proper static precautions. The worst that can happen is the laptop won't boot. Just shut it off and switch the RAM back if that happens.

Hahaha a very understandable mistake.

I did some tests and I'm fairly certain one of the RAM slot is defective.

The first test was switching the RAM sticks at A1. It didn't freeze at all when I tested it.

After I tried putting both RAM sticks in and starting the computer multiple times and it wasn't booting at all.

After that I tired using a stick in slot A2 and it wasn't booting.

Again I tried using only slot A1 and it started up and seems to be working fine.

Seems like a motherboard issue which I was afraid of. Both RAM sticks seem to be good. Slot A2 is causing the problem. I'm hoping it still could be a software issue. Is it possible that this error could be caused by a fault in the OS or BIOS? Maybe I should try a windows repair and see if it will actually fix the problem.What do you think?

Unfortunately the type of problem you describe with your RAM is strictly a hardware issue and wouldn't be affected by Win7 repair or even reinstall - not that you couldn't try it, mind you.

Make sure again that it isn't the stick by confirming both test ok in slot 1. Try also running memtest86 with both sticks installed to see if it flags an error that could reveal what the exact problem with the slot is.

I would also go over the RAM settings in the BIOS to see if something is set incorrectly. You can even reset the BIOS to optimal settings to make sure nothing has slipped.

Looking at the specs for your model, it appears each slot can take 2gb up to 4gb total so upgrading a single stick is not an option, but if nothing else works or is affordable you could always reinstall with 32 bit to use 2gb of RAM optimally with no performance loss. Do you really use any programs that rely on 64 bit? I've only heard that it really matters in high performance video editing and the like.

gregrocker said:

Unfortunately the type of problem you describe with your RAM is strictly a hardware issue and wouldn't be affected by Win7 repair or even reinstall - not that you couldn't try it, mind you.

Make sure again that it isn't the stick by confirming both test ok in slot 1. Try also running memtest86 with both sticks installed to see if it flags an error that could reveal what the exact problem with the slot is.

I would also go over the RAM settings in the BIOS to see if something is set incorrectly. You can even reset the BIOS to optimal settings to make sure nothing has slipped.

Looking at the specs for your model, it appears each slot can take 2gb up to 4gb total so upgrading a single stick is not an option, but if nothing else works or is affordable you could always reinstall with 32 bit to use 2gb of RAM optimally with no performance loss. Do you really use any programs that rely on 64 bit? I've only heard that it really matters in high performance video editing and the like.

Doing the memtest with both ram sticks is out of the question since it won't boot with both of them in :/ I'm a total noob when it comes to computer programming so it will be near impossible for me to pick up on any incorrect settings :/

I don't mind running on one ram stick. I don't do any taxing things with this computer. It's a darn shame that things have gone wrong so fast. It hasn't even been 2 years since I got this.

TVeblen said:

+1 ^

Unfortunately, laptops are not very repairable in a cost/benefit sense. Replacement motherboards are not readily available from multiple vendors like they are in the desktop market and so any exact replacement board is either going to come from the manufacturer at full retail, or from the used parts market. With a laptop it really comes down to the laptop upgrade option making more sense than the repair IMHO.

So in a case like yours it may make more sense to just limp along running on one stick of RAM while you keep your eye open for good deals on a new laptop. Like Gregrocker said, unless you have a particular high performance need for more RAM you could run that laptop as is for quite a while.

It seems like I'll have to spring for a new laptop. I was really trying to avoid that. I guess I'll ride this one until it no longer works. I'm hoping the problem doesn't spread to the only working RAM slot. Do you think the hardware problem might be "contiguous" or is it too hard to tell? I'd like to get a year and 6 months out of it before I get another laptop. Now isn't the best time for me financially.

Let us know how performance is with the one RAM stick. You may want to reinstall with 32 bit if there is any lag. We can help you get a perfect reinstall which will greatly lighten the load as well over a factory OEM preinstalled with bloatware. Reinstalling Windows 7

The slot may only be shorted, could even come back to life. I don't think it would have any affect on the other slot. Just handle it gently.