Possible RAM Issue - Errors found when running Memtest86+

Steffano2002

Hi there,

In another post, I was advised by 8T8 to run Memtest86+ to check my RAM as I had a problem with a file when installing Windows (turns out it was my Windows XP CD that was causing the problem).

However I did give Memtest86+ a go and I keep getting errors!

I first ran the test for around 25 minutes and I kept getting failures at the following addresses:
"0001f1c8c30 - 497.5MB" and "0002b63112c - 694.0MB".

I stopped the test and proceeded to check both bars of RAM then I switched them around. Ran the test again and the Failing Addresses changed slightly:
"0001f1c8c70 - 497.5MB" and "0002b63116c - 694.0MB".

Is this something very bad? I certainly can't notice any problems with my PC when performing usual tasks or playing games!

Here's some info on my RAM:

2 x 512MB Dual Channel (Interleaved) CORSAIR XMS PC3200 - 200MHz (DDR400) - CAS: 2-3-2-6 - Part Number: CMX512-3200LL

Any help/advice will be greatly appreciated once again!

Stephen

Relax the timings of your RAM in the BIOS and run memtest again.

Steffano2002

Stephen wrote:

Relax the timings of your RAM in the BIOS and run memtest again.

Sounds simple when you say it like that but I know I'm going to have a nightmare finding out how this is done!

Sure I'll give that a try and see if the errors disappear! Cheers Stephen!

Stephen

Go into the BIOS. There's a section where you can set memory timings - default is normally "By SPD". Its location depends on your motherboard manufacturer. Change it from SPD to manual, and it should have the default speeds input for each field. Just increment them (i.e. make the memory run slower), save/reboot and run memtest again.

Steffano2002

Hi Stephen,

Well, I found where to change the timings (it was in fact very easy to find and change in the BIOS!) but even with the timings at their slowest (3-5-5-10) I am getting the same errors.

As a result, I have decided to test each DIMM separately at the slowest timing first (3-5-5-10) then at the faster timing of 2-3-2-6.

So far so good for the first bar at 3-5-5-10 so I'm going to let it run for a while longer then I'll test it at 2-3-2-6. How long would you advise letting each test run? I know that "the longer the better" but I have so many different tests to do here!

I'll also switch between slots to make sure they are not faulty.

8T8

Yeah you've already done the first steps in all likely hood it looks like one of the RAM modules is faulty. So test each RAM module on it's own to verify the culprit.

One other possible solution to rule out a compatibility issue is to make sure you have the latest motherboard bios installed.

Steffano2002

8T8 wrote:

Yeah you've already done the first steps in all likely hood it looks like one of the RAM modules is faulty. So test each RAM module on it's own to verify the culprit.

Hi there 8T8!

Well, doesn't matter which DIMM I try I just keep getting errors when I lower the latency to 2-3-2-6. I find that odd though as CORSAIR have created and tested this RAM to work at that speed. I tried running Memtest86+ on my old PC which also has 2 x 512MB of CORSAIR RAM ("Value Select" though - not "XMS") and I'm getting even more errors! Yet, I've had this PC for over 3 years and never had a problem with it!
I guess it doesn't really bother me having these errors on my new PC anymore... I'll just have to live with it!

8T8 wrote:

One other possible solution to rule out a compatibility issue is to make sure you have the latest motherboard bios installed.

I will verify this when I get my Magnet coneection running (waiting for Eircom to hand over the line...).

8T8

That is very unusual..

Try Microsoft's own RAM diagnostic tool & run the extended test.

Could be coincidence that the old PC's RAM gave out recently hence the errors try testing one module at a time in the old PC. Also just in case download Memtest+ again and burn the bootable CD image to another disk.

You can use ImgBurn to do the burning.

Steffano2002

8T8 wrote:

That is very unusual..

Try Microsoft's own RAM diagnostic tool & run the extended test.

Hi 8T8!

I'm going to give Microsoft's tool a go overnight to see if I get failures with it also.

8T8 wrote:

Could be coincidence that the old PC's RAM gave out recently hence the errors try testing one module at a time in the old PC. Also just in case download Memtest+ again and burn the bootable CD image to another disk.

You can use ImgBurn to do the burning.

Would it make a big difference whether Memtest86+ is on a floppy or a CD-ROM? I'll give it a try anyway!

Thing is, would most people who run Memtest86+ have no errors? I mean I have 2 PCs that work perfectly (as far as I'm concerned) yet, both fail the test! I find that odd...

Anti

all of minepass memtest with no errors at all. Also worth a try, is to check your memory voltage, make sure its not under what is required for your dimm's.

Steffano2002

anti wrote:

all of minepass memtest with no errors at all. Also worth a try, is to check your memory voltage, make sure its not under what is required for your dimm's.

Thank you for the tip Anti! Am I right in saying DDR1 RAM should be at 2.5V?

Oh and by the way 8T8: I'm running Microsoft's Memtest at home as we speak (the extended test) so when I get home tonight it will have run for a total of 8 hours. This should give me a good indication as to how healthy my RAM is! I ran the short test last night for around 15 minutes and I was getting no errors...

Steffano2002

Well, got home this evening and after switching on my monitor (and running Microsoft's MemTest tool) I found out there was definitely something going on with my RAM/MoBo as I'm getting errors with that tool also...

I give up! I'm willing to live with it and if one day it all burns, I'll just buy a newer/better MoBo and RAM...

Thanks for your help once again guys!

8T8

That isn't a great idea as bad RAM will corrupt system files & your personal data over the course of time.

If you have a friend with a PC that uses the same type RAM as your ask to borrow a single stick so you can test for 3 or 4 hours and see if any errors occur if none do then it's probable the RAM you have is the culprit - either through being defective or incompatible.

Cuddlesworth

Does nobody else find it weird that he swapped sticks at still found errors at the same place in the ram. If the ram truly was bad then in my experience by swapping he would have got a error at 118megs and 1009megs. I would be of the belief that the board/chipset/memory controller is the problem rather then the ram.

Steffano2002

krazy_8s wrote:

Does nobody else find it weird that he swapped sticks at still found errors at the same place in the ram. If the ram truly was bad then in my experience by swapping he would have got a error at 118megs and 1009megs. I would be of the belief that the board/chipset/memory controller is the problem rather then the ram.

Not sure if this is the way things work but if it's the case, I'll only fix the problem by getting a new MoBo which I don't intend on doing for some time yet. I'm only after buying this PC (625 EUR) and a new 20" LCD (300 EUR) and this, along with Christmas, has left me crippled for a while...