Consistent BSODs, Inconsistent STOP codes, and more

zigzag3143 said:

Inserio said:

So, do you have any idea? It'd be difficult for me to test each piece of hardware (on another computer) to figure out which piece is causing the error and if that's the only issue. If that's what I'll have to do, though, then so be it. If there's anything else, what would you recommend? and if that is what you recommend, which pieces do you think I should check first?

Two things you can do.

I forget (not on my computer atm) if you ran memtest or another memory diagnostic.

Memtest and driver verifier



* If you are overclocking anything reset to default before running these tests.
In other words STOP!!!

* If you have raid update its Driver.



Memtest.

*Download a copy of Memtest86 and burn the ISO to a CD using Iso Recorder or another ISO burning program. Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

*Boot from the CD, and leave it running for at least 5 or 6 passes.

Just remember, any time Memtest reports errors, it can be either bad RAM or a bad motherboard slot.

Test the sticks individually, and if you find a good one, test it in all slots.

Any errors are indicative of a memory problem.

If a known good stick fails in a motherboard slot it is probably the slot.

Yeah, I did these, prior. Reading what you quoted, many signs are pointing to a combination between bad RAM and bad slots. If the slots are bad, would I have to replace the entire motherboard?

BTW, I didn't do a memtest on each RAM, but on the first run it came up with errors. I might be able to do some individual tests later

Inserio said:

zigzag3143 said:

Inserio said:

So, do you have any idea? It'd be difficult for me to test each piece of hardware (on another computer) to figure out which piece is causing the error and if that's the only issue. If that's what I'll have to do, though, then so be it. If there's anything else, what would you recommend? and if that is what you recommend, which pieces do you think I should check first?

Two things you can do.

I forget (not on my computer atm) if you ran memtest or another memory diagnostic.

Memtest and driver verifier



* If you are overclocking anything reset to default before running these tests.
In other words STOP!!!

* If you have raid update its Driver.



Memtest.

*Download a copy of Memtest86 and burn the ISO to a CD using Iso Recorder or another ISO burning program. Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

*Boot from the CD, and leave it running for at least 5 or 6 passes.

Just remember, any time Memtest reports errors, it can be either bad RAM or a bad motherboard slot.

Test the sticks individually, and if you find a good one, test it in all slots.

Any errors are indicative of a memory problem.

If a known good stick fails in a motherboard slot it is probably the slot.

Yeah, I did these, prior. Reading what you quoted, many signs are pointing to a combination between bad RAM and bad slots. If the slots are bad, would I have to replace the entire motherboard?

BTW, I didn't do a memtest on each RAM, but on the first run it came up with errors. I might be able to do some individual tests later

Probably, or not use the bad one. You can ID which it is by using a known good stick in each slot one at a time.

Eerily, I get hundreds of thousands of errors when I put in three memory chips. When I put in four, it refuses to even boot and it beeps really fast repeatedly. I tested one and it's working fine, but depending on where I put the chips and which ones, it creates different combinations that just don't make sense to me. I will think a chip won't be working, but then I put it in a different slot and it works. I will think a slot isn't working, but I put in a different chip and it works. I'm really confused.

{edit} Also, my USB keyboard doesn't seem to work during boot, besides during the BIOS, i.e. I can't use it during the Memtest. I hope it's okay for me to just shut it off.
At this point, I'm running a test with two cards, one of the new ones and one of the old ones. The other new one I already tested it and let it get to pass 7 with no errors. I'll see how these two fair up, then I'll test the other old one, but I think that one won't even start, so we'll see.

You can figure out which is which.

Slot 1

mem a--- works or doesnt?
mem b...
mem c...
mem d...


Repeat for slot 2, 3, 4.


Post the chart

If they dont fail after 2 passes you can move on

Are both pairs of memory the same specs?

Did the BSOD's start just after you added hardware?

Win 7 is really, really finicky about ram. Sometimes identical ram from the same manufacturer purchased at different time may not work together. Best way to buy RAM is in one package for that is the only way you can be sure they will match.

Like a 4x[1,2,4] package? i.e. buy all the RAM I plan to use at the same time? Interesting. I'll have to consider that if I can't get this working as is. I may consider just buying a decent DDR3 capable motherboard and getting a 16GB RAM package, since they are ridiculously cheaper for DDR3.

Inserio said:

Like a 4x[1,2,4] package? i.e. buy all the RAM I plan to use at the same time? Interesting. I'll have to consider that if I can't get this working as is. I may consider just buying a decent DDR3 capable motherboard and getting a 16GB RAM package, since they are ridiculously cheaper for DDR3.

h

Good idea.

I have been helping someone (on another forum) with exactly this issue. 4 perfectly matched (same mfr, same model, same specs,) from a decent mfr and with 3 its fine, but four Ugh.