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

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: 34,722 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.