Help with Memtest

[baggyred]

Hi All,

So a bit of background - firstly I really don't understand computers at all - i don't think i've ever even opened one up!

So recently my PC started crashing all the time with a Blue Screen of Death. I initially kept searching for the error each time - but i noted that it was a different each time - so it was a fruitless task - especially given the computer would crash within 5 minutes of re-booting

So then i thought it might be my RAM - so i did some googlng and found Memtest - which i have downloaded onto a disc and booted.

I've run it twice and both times it has hung. The first was on test #3 at abut 93% and the other is now on test #6 at 61%.

Each time a list of failing addresses comes up in red down the bottom.

An example of one line is
Tst Pass Failing Address Good Bad Err-Bits Count CPU
6 0 0005ff65080 - 1535.35MB 3dfcd4dd 3dfcd4dc 00000001 1 1


What does this mean? I've had the computer from new (though 5 years old) and never touched the RAM - could it be that the RAM is just dying?

Thanks all for your help = im a little overwhelmed


Edit: Apologies for the really bad formatting above

 

[Buckshot420]

Have you tried pulling the RAM out and reinstalling it?

 

[raybay]

I suspect your problem is elsewhere, and your memtest is not working because of another problem. Can you tell us the brand and model of your computer, along with Windows Version ? Or do you have the tools and skills to open the case and pull out the hard drive, so you can write down the model number and the Date code that is on the face of the drive.

Alternately, you might be able to get a Belarc inventory of your machine to run. WWW.Belarc.com. Download and install Belarc if your computer works well enough to allow that. Then click on the Belarc icon to get it to survey your computer. Print out the resulting report.
We want to know how old your hard drive, and the configuration of the computer... which we can have you get from the Belarc report.

 

[baggyred]

Firstly - thanks all for the replies - i'll try and run that Belarc program tonight when I get home from work - to get all the info.

The computer is a Dell that is about 5 years old running windows XP - I think it has about 2gb of ram

I don't really want to have to buy another computer as so many of the components are fine, but if I need a new motherboard/hard drive &/or RAM - i'm happy to go and get them - so I'm just trying to isolate what the problem is.

 

[raybay]

A good possibility is that you have a failing hard drive... Dells are fine computers, but any hard drive that is 5 years old, is very often in early failure state... few hard drives of any computer brand make it through the fifth year, in our experience.
Be sure to save all your data as soon as you can. Hard drive prices are currently high due to the hard drive factories being flooded in Thailand... so expect to pay $100 to $139, plus recover time, unless you can do it yourself.
The rest of your computer should be fine if the hard drive is replaced... SOON

 

[baggyred]

Thanks RayBay - i'll run the diagnostic and let you know - but yeah - i think a new hard-drive might be needed.

Another dumb question - I have an external hard-drive which I use to store movies and photos - I assume I can just back everything up onto that.

however is there a back-up tool that allows me to save the operating system and all the programs as well, along with all my data?

I.e - click a button and everything backs up onto hard drive.

Install new hard-drive and then click a button and everything re-loads as it was?

Or am I in dream land?

 

[raybay]

That enters a new level of difficulty. It can be done, but a first timer would have problems unless the backup drive and system are the same or very similar.
Do you have the product ID sticker for the current (failing) system? Can you determine the service pack of the windows system? Is your computer a known commercial brand such as Dell or HP or Gateway or Acer?
You can match to the product ID system with just a touch of knowledge...
If you have a Dell or HP or Compaq or Acer, you can order a copy of the Windows disk cheaply, but it takes a while... Dell is usually free or very low cost.

The problem is that most backup systems do not record all the registry, or key files that are needed for the restore. It is easier to use a borrowed windows disk with your product ID that is usually afixed via a sticker stuck to the bottom or back of the computer... Then you need a regular windows disk or and OEM Windows disk that is close to the same Service Pack... or a bit more experience than you appear to have at hand.
Tell us more about what you have, and perhaps we can help get you closer to what you need to know, and have in hand.

 

[baggyred]

Thanks Raybay - being a Dell - all the info should be on the sticker!

So i'll check it out when I get home tonight and let you know!

I have a mate who basically does all this stuff - who owes me a favour - but I wanted to get my ducks in a row before I got him to come around

 

[baggyred]

The computer managed to stay alive long enough - apologies for the formatting!

Operating System new – server roles System Model
Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (build 2600)
Install Language: English (United States)
System Locale: English (Australia)
Installed: 8/01/2009 11:08:19 AM Dell Inc Dimension E521
System Service Tag: 9C7CM1S (support for this PC)
Chassis Serial Number: 9C7CM1S
Enclosure Type: Desktop

Processor a Main Circuit Board b
2.20 gigahertz AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
1024 kilobyte secondary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (2 total)
Not hyper-threaded Board: Dell Inc 0CT103 A02
Serial Number: ..CN708216A980B6.
Bus Clock: 1000 megahertz
BIOS: Dell Inc 1.0.3 10/02/2006

Drives new – drive encryption Memory Modules c,d
249.99 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
189.72 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

_NEC DVD+-RW ND-3650A [Optical drive]
SONY DVD-ROM DDU1615S [Optical drive]

ST3250310AS [Hard drive] (250.00 GB) -- drive 0, s/n 6RYGZ5F8, rev 4.ADA, SMART Status: Healthy
TEAC USB HS-CF Card USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 1
TEAC USB HS-MS Card USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 3
TEAC USB HS-SD Card USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 4
TEAC USB HS-xD/SM USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 2 2048 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM_4' is Empty
Slot 'DIMM_3' is Empty
Slot 'DIMM_2' has 1024 MB
Slot 'DIMM_1' has 1024 MB
Local Drive Volumes new – volume encryption


c: (NTFS on drive 0) 249.99 GB 189.72 GB free
Network Drives
None discovered

Controllers Display
Primary IDE Channel [Controller] (2x)
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller] (2x)
Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller (2x) NVIDIA GeForce 7300 LE [Display adapter]
DELL SE198WFP [Monitor] (19.1"vis, s/n XX-0YY770-XXXXX-7BR-05ML, November 2007)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller
Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC

 

[baggyred]

ANd just in case any of this counts

Installed Microsoft Hotfixes [Back to Top]
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