Will the BSODs stop...?

Syxx_Killer · 01-27-10, 07:25 PM

My computer has been having random BSODs for over a year now. I am pretty sure it is the memory. I have 1GB (2x 512) of Crucial Ballistix DDR400 (PC3200) RAM right now. I put it in my computer when I built it in March 2005. After reading reviews of it on NewEgg there has been a rather high rate of failure with that RAM. Had those reviews been there 5 years ago I wouldn't have got it.

I finally broke down tonight and ordered some DDR400 Patriot memory (2GB). There are a lot of good reviews on NewEgg. What I'm wondering is, can I expect the BSODs to stop or will I have to reinstall Windows? I cringe at the thought of reinstalling Windows. I think I'd rather drink battery acid!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220079

Here's my old memory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146546

Arclight · 01-27-10, 08:38 PM

If it is the memory, swapping it out should put an end to it. Never heard of anyone having to reïnstall after changing the memory, and neither have I.

CaptainHaplo · 01-27-10, 08:50 PM

A memory upgrade won't require a rebuild.

Windows requires it when you change 2 major components at a time - or change MB (as often that is considered multiple components, Audio, NIC, etc.)

When the machine BSOD's - check the file that is referenced. If its the same file every time - it could be a corrupt driver. If its a memory address - or random file names that change every time - then its your memory.

Before you chunk the memory - go into the BIOS and manually drop the clock speed of the RAM. See if its a speed issue due to age.

Reece · 01-27-10, 09:23 PM

Continual crashing can cause damage to the register or HDD errors, you should use a program like Norton Utilities to check the HDD's and WinDoctor to check the register. I only hope for your sake that it is the ram, I had a fault like that and turned out to be the CPU,

if you have any overclocking I would set back to standard after installing the new memory, if all works ok then turn back on!

Syxx_Killer · 01-27-10, 09:23 PM

I'm just thinking about reinstalling Windows because of other funky things. Sometimes something doesn't load right so I have to reboot. Avast was the latest victim of this so I had to switch to AVG. When I get the memory, if things improve I will get Avast again. Another strange thing is when I view the Event Viewer and look at System. Every time I boot up there is a Save Dump. The codes change, but the first batch I have seen before when I get BSODs. The BSODs are never the same thing over and over. The reasons change and so do the codes. Here are some that I can remember:

BAD_POOL_HEADER
DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_THAN_OR_EQUAL_TO
PFN_LIST_CORRUPT

There are others, but I can't remember them. I may not have even got those right. Rarely is a file referenced. Only a couple occasions actually referenced a file, but I always attributed it to my computer being possessed.

When I did a search for those types of errors in the past, I would usually find a forum or something that says bad memory can do that.

I remember when the first BSOD occured. I was playing Gran Turismo 5 at the time at the other end of the room. I heard a strange (to me) noise from the computer (the BSOD noise) and saw the blue screen. Now that I think of it, I have been getting random BSODs for 2-3 years, probably closer to 3. It has only recently been getting more frequent. When they first started I could go quite a while (maybe a couple months or more) without a BSOD. Other times I would get a BSOD a day for a few days, then they would stop for a while. On the most cranky days, I could get two or three BSODs a day. I probably should have done something about it a long time ago, but I just figured if the computer blows up, "Oh well."

If I don't do something right away, I can be the kind of procrastination.

The BSODs get REALLY annoying when I am typing a reply or email.

I don't do any overclocking. Never been interested in that.

CaptainHaplo · 01-28-10, 06:20 PM

Definitely points to memory then. I would look at turning down the memory speed in BIOS if thats an option. Even if your not overclocking - lowering the memory speed can solve the issue - at least until your able to get new RAM in the machine. Plus it may confirm that as the problem before you go spend money.

Syxx_Killer · 01-28-10, 06:23 PM

NewEgg says they shipped the memory. So, I guess I'll see in a few days. In any event going from 1GB to 2GB will be a nice plus.

Another BSOD I forgot to mention was this one:

MEMORY_MANAGEMENT

kiwi_2005 · 01-28-10, 06:53 PM

BSOD in the past ive found its either ram or an overheated video card.

Castout · 01-28-10, 06:56 PM

I used to have BSODS pretty often too now its has disappeared . . . .the most probable cause was that I was using two firewalls at one time. I have since turned off the default windows firewall and use the other as my only one.

You have to make sure that it was your memory which was causing it as it could be software clashes which was causing BSODs to your PC or even hacker attacks . . .

01-27-10, 07:25 PM	#1
Syxx_Killer Admiral Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 2,387 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	Will the BSODs stop...? My computer has been having random BSODs for over a year now. I am pretty sure it is the memory. I have 1GB (2x 512) of Crucial Ballistix DDR400 (PC3200) RAM right now. I put it in my computer when I built it in March 2005. After reading reviews of it on NewEgg there has been a rather high rate of failure with that RAM. Had those reviews been there 5 years ago I wouldn't have got it. I finally broke down tonight and ordered some DDR400 Patriot memory (2GB). There are a lot of good reviews on NewEgg. What I'm wondering is, can I expect the BSODs to stop or will I have to reinstall Windows? I cringe at the thought of reinstalling Windows. I think I'd rather drink battery acid! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220079 Here's my old memory. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146546 Last edited by Syxx_Killer; 01-27-10 at 07:38 PM.

01-27-10, 08:38 PM	#2
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	If it is the memory, swapping it out should put an end to it. Never heard of anyone having to reïnstall after changing the memory, and neither have I. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

01-27-10, 08:50 PM	#3
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	A memory upgrade won't require a rebuild. Windows requires it when you change 2 major components at a time - or change MB (as often that is considered multiple components, Audio, NIC, etc.) When the machine BSOD's - check the file that is referenced. If its the same file every time - it could be a corrupt driver. If its a memory address - or random file names that change every time - then its your memory. Before you chunk the memory - go into the BIOS and manually drop the clock speed of the RAM. See if its a speed issue due to age. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

01-27-10, 09:23 PM	#4
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,688 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	Continual crashing can cause damage to the register or HDD errors, you should use a program like Norton Utilities to check the HDD's and WinDoctor to check the register. I only hope for your sake that it is the ram, I had a fault like that and turned out to be the CPU, if you have any overclocking I would set back to standard after installing the new memory, if all works ok then turn back on! __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

01-28-10, 06:20 PM	#6
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	Definitely points to memory then. I would look at turning down the memory speed in BIOS if thats an option. Even if your not overclocking - lowering the memory speed can solve the issue - at least until your able to get new RAM in the machine. Plus it may confirm that as the problem before you go spend money. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

01-28-10, 06:23 PM	#7
Syxx_Killer Admiral Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 2,387 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	NewEgg says they shipped the memory. So, I guess I'll see in a few days. In any event going from 1GB to 2GB will be a nice plus. Another BSOD I forgot to mention was this one: MEMORY_MANAGEMENT Last edited by Syxx_Killer; 01-28-10 at 06:34 PM.

01-28-10, 06:53 PM	#8
kiwi_2005 Eternal Patrol Join Date: May 2004 Location: Aeoteroa Posts: 7,382 Downloads: 223 Uploads: 1	BSOD in the past ive found its either ram or an overheated video card. __________________ RIP kiwi_2005 Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.

01-28-10, 06:56 PM	#9
Castout Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 4,794 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 6	I used to have BSODS pretty often too now its has disappeared . . . .the most probable cause was that I was using two firewalls at one time. I have since turned off the default windows firewall and use the other as my only one. You have to make sure that it was your memory which was causing it as it could be software clashes which was causing BSODs to your PC or even hacker attacks . . . __________________ My blog: http://exposingsingapore.wordpress.com/