Computer Problems

[Joshmcmillan]

Hi,

I've been having some problems with my computer. System specs are too the left.
I get Blue Screen of Death every time I change resolution in Half Life 2 Episode 1. I get random crashes in GMod, sometimes it will freeze at the motherboard screen when turning my computer on.
It doesn't do any of this when I only have 512mb of RAM in. RAM isn't faulty.
I've tried video card on different computer and experienced 0 problems.
I've tried a 430w brand new PSU and my 550w PSU.

I hope someone has an idea. Thanks in advance.

[keakar]

you say ram isnt faulty but what tests have you run and for how long? sure sounds like ram

[hat]

rum memtest86 (the bootable version)

[Joshmcmillan]

Well, I tried a brand new 1g stick of RAM in it and it got the same problems. I just thought it would be highly unlikely that 2x 10 month old 512mb sticks of RAM, if were broken the chances of buying another 1gb stick of RAM and it having EXACTLY the same problem is very unlikely.

Also, I did run memtest86 but only for about 5 hours, it found no errors. Also I ran prime 95 for about 10 hours and it didn't find anything either.

[keakar]

Well, I tried a brand new 1g stick of RAM in it and it got the same problems. I just thought it would be highly unlikely that 2x 10 month old 512mb sticks of RAM, if were broken the chances of buying another 1gb stick of RAM and it having EXACTLY the same problem is very unlikely.

Also, I did run memtest86 but only for about 5 hours, it found no errors. Also I ran prime 95 for about 10 hours and it didn't find anything either.

not if it was the memory channel thats bad, you could put that extra stick in one slot and be fine but get errors in the other slot because your dealing with memory channel 1 and memory channel 2. follow what im saying? or did you mean you tried another 1gb set?

we need more info then your giving us so we can help. remember were not there so you need to tell us is it same time of day is it random but works fine on cold start? we are looking to pin it down to a repeatable condition when it fails. also have you installed or uninstalled any programs before this began happening?

[keakar]

no matter what your problem turns out to be you should get a set of these:

A-DATA Extreme Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211174

or

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034

both have cas latency of 4 and after rebate both only costs you $35 for a 2gb set of faster ram

[Joshmcmillan]

I have tried the sticks in the two different colored slots, those are a different channel aren't they? I did buy another set of 1gb sticks, but one of them was faulty, the one I tried was the working one of the two. That has been sent away for a replacement hopefully.

The BSOD after resolution change and random game crashes seem to be always no matter how long the computer has been on. I don't think I've ever go the freeze at the motherboard screen on a cold start, but it seems to ONLY get that when I change something around inside the computer, and after it's been turned on again it won't do it again. It may have been at a cold start, I don't know how long it takes it too cool down.

[Joshmcmillan]

Oh, I also thought I'd add that I never have OC'd anything and the CPU runs at about 40"C, MOBO at about 32"C and video card idles at about 50"C (ATI has the video card fan speed turned down as a stock setting) and under load it gets up to about 75"C.

[keakar]

I have tried the sticks in the two different colored slots, those are a different channel aren't they? I did buy another set of 1gb sticks, but one of them was faulty, the one I tried was the working one of the two. That has been sent away for a replacement hopefully.

The BSOD after resolution change and random game crashes seem to be always no matter how long the computer has been on. I don't think I've ever go the freeze at the motherboard screen on a cold start, but it seems to ONLY get that when I change something around inside the computer, and after it's been turned on again it won't do it again. It may have been at a cold start, I don't know how long it takes it too cool down.

the different colored slot is: example - orange, yellow, orange, yellow

the two orange are channel 1a and channel 2a and the two yellow would be channel 1b and channel 2b so you use 2 sticks you put both in the same color but in almost all boards it doesnt matter which so you can use either color you wish and it will work. now following this example you can see how to check both channels by just reversing the sticks but keeping them in the same colored slots then switch to the other color and you can test each channel and each slot seperately to eliminate anything being wrong with them.

i would say it needs to be off for like 30 minutes to consider it a cold start, that way you know everything is cold, cpu, psu, motherboard, hdd.

unless the ram you sent back was 2x1gb set ddr2 800 pc6400 i would try get a refund on those ram you sent back. the ADATA ddr2 800 pc6400 ram is faster so get it instead and sell that 2x512mb set you have. 2gb is all you need.

with 2gb of faster ram you will be much happier.

[Bluefox1115]

it sounds like bad memory, or maybe a corrupt windows install, or both.. happened to me..

[keakar]

it sounds like bad memory, or maybe a corrupt windows install, or both.. happened to me..

well im thinking bad ram too, we'll have to wait to see if he says weather it passed memtest

[Joshmcmillan]

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far.


Keaker, that means I have tested both channels I think. The RAM I sent back was still DDR2 667. It was $67, but the cheapest DDR2 800 2gb kit was $85, i'm from Australia so currency is a bit different and shops here seem to be more expansive then newegg even after converting the currency.

Bluefox, What types of problems were you getting with the corrupt windows install? I installed off a brand new XP home CD, it was the first time it had been used and the hard disk was freshly formatted etc... How can a windows install become corrupt?

[Joshmcmillan]

.

[Joshmcmillan]

No ideas? You may not have seen but I said above that RAM passed memtest86 and Prime95.

[keakar]

Keaker, that means I have tested both channels I think. The RAM I sent back was still DDR2 667. It was $67, but the cheapest DDR2 800 2gb kit was $85, i'm from Australia so currency is a bit different and shops here seem to be more expansive then newegg even after converting the currency.


wow, that sucks because we can get ddr2 800 ram 2x1gb set for $35 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211174

How can a windows install become corrupt?

because the ram is like a holding tray for data as its being installed so if the data transfer isnt done smoothly (bad sectors on disk or ram errors) data can be incomplete or corrupted during the install.

[Bluefox1115]

bad ram, can cause a memory read/write error, and write bad code to a system critical file such as the kernel, shell, dll, driver, etc.. and theres a good chance its bad ram and you just arnt using the latest memtest or testing the ram correctly, its also possible the hard drive is bad, or your dvd drive is bad.. it could be almost anything..

[Joshmcmillan]

Could it be drivers?

[Silverel]

Drivers might help, but are probably not the cause of the problem.

On the other hand, they're free and easy. Give it a shot.

[Joshmcmillan]

I've tried 7.11 which is the earliest my video card supports I think, and I've tried 7.12, 7.12 Omega and 8.1. I suppose I'll just have to wait for 8.2.

[poohball]

exact thing happened to me before and it was the memory problem, not sure your case though.

[Joshmcmillan]

With the 2x 1gb sticks I had that are getting replaced, I had to get my brother to take them because I don't live near the shop. After more then a week they said the replacement is ready so my brother will probably pick it up and send it to me in the mail.

That will be the 5th and 6th sticks of RAM i will have tried and the 3rd and 4th to be brand new so that should make me even more positive it's not the RAM.