Maybe Showing Symptoms of Bad Memory

billy_wires · Post by **billy_wires** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 3:46 pm

I'm worried my memory my be fuxxed, but I'm not sure. To put it simply, I've narrowed the problem down (I think) to either a bad video card or bad memory. Here's why:
My first set of problems came from a bad logitec driver. Removed, and the computer worked fine for a while. Recently, however, I am coming accross the following stop errors:
Stop: 0x0000000A: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL,
Stop: 0x000000C5: DRIVER_CORRUPTED_EXPOOL
and
Stop: 0x000000D1: DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
(for info on stop errors visit http://www.aumha.org/win5/kbestop.htm)
Also, none of my computer games would fullscreen until I reinstalled my graphics drivers. Problem solved? No. The problems keep coming back. I'm wondering, is it bad memory, a bad video card, or just a crappy ATI driver (Catalyst 4.9)?

Zero1 · Post by **Zero1** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 6:45 pm

Could be the cats 4.9, I've noticed the executable fails to run on my system, could be related to SP2 I suppose.

Would you mind posting the fullest spec of your PC possible? You can use my profile as a guide for the things im looking for http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members ... _id=157764

In the meantime, grab a floppy disk and google memtesx86. download and install it to the floppy. reboot with the floppy in and run the tests

billy_wires · Post by **billy_wires** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 4:33 pm

Sorry for being unspecific, I was in a rush. I've already run memtest for 10 hours, and came up with no errors (something like 110 tests passed out of 110). As far as the specs (I bolded the necessary ones and listed the others because I'm bored):
Processor:
Pentium 3.0 GHZ processor with 512 L2 Cache, HT technology, and 800M FSB
Mobo:
Intel D865PERL with the 865PE Chipset
OS
Windows XP Home edition with SP2
Memory:
512Meg Vertigo PC3500 DDR433
*Storage:
Maxtor 160 Gig HD at 7200 RPM
Removable:
Generic DVD-Rom drive (a local store brand)
Generic Floppy Drive (same story)
HP Dvd writer dvd420i
Graphics:
ATI Radeon 9800XT
Sound:
Integrated Intel audio (hardcore)
Moniter:
Some random Orion one from around my house

*I'm not sure if you would need this, but I wanted to call attention to it anyway.

The reason I'm not ruling out memory is because I'm thinking there could be an error it didn't catch. I really hope if it is anything besided the graphics drivers it would be memory, as it is relatively cheaper than a new graphics card (I don't have to buy memory all at once, you see

)

Zero1 · Post by **Zero1** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 5:37 pm

Hmm... considering your memory passed memtest after such a long time, I would be tempted to think it's fine.

One of the first things I would usually check are the CPU temperatures and system voltages (though motherboard voltage ratings are to be taken with a pinch of salt, especially since some boards report them incorrectly)

There's a program called motherboard monitor, it's a lifesaver for me. http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_d ... &fileidx=1

basically it can be set to sit in the system tray and display the temperatures.

Now I've never owned an Intel, so I can't comment on what are safe temperatures, I suppose you will have to revert to google or try here http://www.hardforum.com

I notice you are running SP2. Are the problems recent, or have they been occuring since you've had the computer?

Also about your stop errors, do they appear at boot, or during use?

Just looking at your specs, here are a few things that I would personally check out:
Service Pack 2 - Did the errors occur before SP2, or have they always been there?

Maxtor hard drive - How old is the drive itself, and does it get daily use or had a fair amount of wear?

Radeon 9800XT, check the temperatures. I believe this card automatically overclocks itself but monitors the temperature, are any cables on the card damaged? Is temperature/overdrive switched on in the driver? Try uninstalling the driver and go back to a safe version like 4.2 and see if that helps

Integrated devices - If you have onboard video and the 9800XT, make sure the integrated video is disabled in the BIOS.

As I mentioned, I seem to be experiencing problems with the cats 4.9 and SP2, but since its just a 9800, its not overclocking itself and I dont plan to just yet (this is just a tempoart install until I get a new mobo)

Well good luck, I hope that works

billy_wires · Post by **billy_wires** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 11:16 pm

In response to your suggestions: thanks for your time. A bit of information I gathered (just for fun)
Intel boards come with a program called "Intel Active moniter" It reports my temperature at acceptable levels (I should hope so for my CPU, it cut my finger a short while ago

). The fix I have come across (may be temporary, but oh well) is to uninstall EVERY single driver I have on the system. Now I should be able to find the bad one (turns out it was just a bad driver). The problems had been occuring before SP2, so that was out. So far my computer is working fine, but with a huge decrease in usability. Thanks again for your time and great suggestions.

Zero1 · Post by **Zero1** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 3:10 pm

Sounds good, it may well be the motherboard/chipset drivers themself as weird as it may seem. I had the nforce drivers installed on my computer and it wreaked havok with my PCI RAID card.

I think the best thing to do now id to install the drivers one by one as you are doing, but leave the motherboard stuff till last.

Oh and no probs on giving a bit of info; it's something I don't mind doing when the person asking is polite and knowledgable