Can you check if RAM has been replaced?

Hi,

My sister bought a new computer from a company, it was a toshiba C660 something or other. It runs windows 7 home premium 64bit. When it first arrived it constantly BSODed, I tried all I could to diagnose the problem but in the end it seemed that getting a new one sent out would be the safest option. There was only a 3 day return window.

There was a massive hassle even getting them to take it back and wanted a refund, but we were told we would get an upgraded model as replacement. So after about two weeks we finally received the product and it is the exact same laptop. Upgraded does not equal fixed. I took pictures of the serial code etc. However, on turning it on I got the recovery screen i.e., start windows in safe mode, safe mode with network etc. I realised they have probably done nothing to it, and it is definitely the same one.

I checked the event view logs to see if it had been turned on and the last time it had been was the day before it was sent away. I phoned up today and asked for them to collect it and for us to be refunded but was told it says it is fixed on their systems and this means we can't return it a second time. I then went on to explain it has never been turned on. She said it had. I said I have proof it hasn't been. She then said but we replaced the memory so that is why it says it has not been switched on. I explained that the hard drive is where the log files are store and so changing memory has no effect. I could here some "technical support" person talking to her telling her what to say. She then said that all laptops are factory reset before sending back. I explained chrome and avast are still there and they are not default programs of windows 7. She continued to argue. I did a RAM check before sending it back and it said the modules were fine. Maybe they weren't. Now I know you can install RAM with the computer off, and they could argue they never needed to turn it on, but then they could never have diagnosed it as being a RAM issue in the first place.

I should have noted any serial numbers on the RAM modules but never thought we'd get the same laptop back or that it was the RAM causing it. I have pictures of all the important stuff for the credit card company as they will follow this up. I think we have enough for the credit card company to take the money off them. But since I don't trust them now I wonder if the RAM has even been changed. Is there a way to find out, similar to the log files, where windows might store somewhere any changes of hardware. Since it BSODed a lot there are minidump files but I don't know if they would have anything in to uniquely identify the RAM modules to match it to watch is there.

Sorry for the long post, and hope it makes sense. I feel bad for others they may succeed in ripping off

richc46 said:

Welcome
I will post as an uninvolved by stander. I am sorry about the problems that you have encountered and know that everyone has had similiar experiences, if not with computers, with other products.
That being said, they should not lie and possibly they did not. Dont know if the ram is new, but it does not really have to be, but, it has to work properly. Give it a test and then if there is a problem you can complain about that situation
Guide to using Memtest86+ - Geeks to Go Forums

Yeah I was thinking I should just use it for a bit and see if displays the BSOD again but the company are adamant that they have "fixed" it once and that means we have no more right to return the product :/ so if it does BSOD then I don't know what to do. I've asked a few people and it is looking less likely there is a place that logs all hardware changes.