Major BSODs

essenbe · 10 Apr 2011

In my case the memory did show errors, when it was actually the slot. I found that the slot can cause the memory to show errors when there was nothing wrong with the memory.

seekermeister · 11 Apr 2011

Shootist said:

seekermeister said:

This problem kind of makes me question the usefulness of either Memtest86 or the Windows Memory Diagnostic, because I had used both of them only 2 days before this occurred and they didn't provide a clue that this was in the offing. I suppose that might have been more likely to have been the case, if it was actually a RAM stick that failed, rather than the RAM slot though.

Right Memtest test the RAM not the slots it in

I don't quite understand your meaning, because as far as I know, there is no way to test a slot...softwarewise. The slot can only be tested by the substitution method that we have discussed.

seekermeister · 11 Apr 2011

essenbe said:

In my case the memory did show errors, when it was actually the slot. I found that the slot can cause the memory to show errors when there was nothing wrong with the memory.

Even this would have been preferable to it testing good, when it wasn't.

seekermeister · 11 Apr 2011

It seems that on my system, when there are only 3 sticks of RAM installed, that none are able to use the dual mode configuration. Therefore, I'm wondering which would perform better...2 sticks in dual mode, or 3 in regular DDR400?

DeanP · 11 Apr 2011

Can I just make this clear...

Are you getting the BSOD in Windows or while it is booting?
If you are getting it in Windows, then please create a report: https://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-d...tructions.html
If it is during a boot, then do a Startup Repair: Startup Repair

Regards. . .
Dean

seekermeister · 11 Apr 2011

Had you read my posts correctly, you would have understood that my mentioning BSODs were only incidental to the real problem that I had, despite the way that I titled the thread. At this point, neither the BSOD or the problem that accompanied them are any longer relevant. Therefore the manner in which I posted is not important and no longer needs fixing.

Dave76 · 11 Apr 2011

Depending on your usage, you will probably see better performance with two cards in dual channel mode.

Sometimes memory controller voltage bump can stabilize RAM, when 4GB installed, 4 slots filled, or even with 2GB or 4GB cards.
As a system ages these things can pop up, not always but, sometimes you can nurse it along for a while.

What is your 'Over - Voltage NB VCORE' set to? Enabled(1.3v) or disabled(1.2v)?

Also try cleaning the mobo RAM slots and the RAM card connectors.

Just to clarify, you ran memtest86+ on all four cards individually in the second black slot?

essenbe said:

In my case the memory did show errors, when it was actually the slot. I found that the slot can cause the memory to show errors when there was nothing wrong with the memory.

Memtest86+ tests how your system sees/uses/functions with the RAM, just like your system uses it, the stress can make the error more recognizable.

There is no test that can tell you that a slot is bad, just can tell you that the system is experiencing an error. Memtest86+ is a tool that helps you narrow down the culprit, be it bad RAM card, bad slot, bad timing settings or bad voltage settings.

Most electronic tests, in certain conditions, can pass several times and then fail. It's the nature of the beast.
The causes are many, manufacturing defect that finally shows itself, components that have been on the edge of capable performance and finally succumb to the inevitable, settings on the edge of the functioning envelope, etc.

Konceptz804 · 11 Apr 2011

FYI, its extremely rare for an actual ram slot to go bad...not saying its impossible but its extremely rare.

seekermeister · 11 Apr 2011

Konceptz804 said:

FYI, its extremely rare for an actual ram slot to go bad...not saying its impossible but its extremely rare.

Rare is not unusual for me.