Need help diagnosing possible bad memory....

[KDOG2007]

I'm been having some issues with my PC lately and I'm trying to track down the cause. Lockups, screen going blank then going to standby after a few secs, etc. I have 2Gb of OCZ Titanium DDR2-800 running at conservative timings 5-5-5 instead of the 4-4-4...

I try using Memtest86, but I can't figure out how to get it to run. I've used Nero to make a bootable CD (I don't have a floppy), I've done a straight copy file to CD, I've tried it 5 or 6 different ways. Are there any good, freeware memory diagnosing programs? I've tried using the Windows Memory testing program, but still can't get it to work.

Any suggestions?

 

[Mondoman]

... I've used Nero to make a bootable CD ...

This is your problem. The .iso image file contains a "picture" of the whole CD. In Nero, use the File/Open command to open the .iso file. That will load all the info into Nero, so then just burn that image. You'll end up with a CD that will automatically boot into memtest86+.

As for your RAM, remember that RAM (especially OCZ RAM) is often sold according to its manufacturer-sanctioned overclock rating, which normally requires manually setting the DIMM voltage to a higher value. Here's some info on that: http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=1249881#1249881

 

[KDOG2007]

Excellent info. I'll give it a shot later. What would you recommend as a setting for my ram? The BIOS settings I have available to me aren't much on this particular mobo (Asus M2A-VM). It has Auto, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1 - not much. I have it set to 1.9, even though I'm not overclocking. I also have the 100mv extra voltage kick enabled. Everything else in the BIOS is set to Auto....

 

[Mondoman]

You'll have to get the voltage spec from your RAM manufacturer, if it's not on the DIMM or the packaging. Normally the website should list it for your RAM model number.

 

[flooder]

I like this software for PC Diagnostic. It is an ISO file on these sites. Just use Nero Burn Image file option.

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

or http://www.ubcd4win.com/downloads.htm

 

[KDOG2007]

Well here is my memory.
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/memory/ocz_ddr2_pc2_6400_titanium_epp_ready_edition

It shows 2.1v, but is that the max or recommended setting? In can also go to 2.3v so I guess I've got some headroom!

 

[Mondoman]

It's a bit confusing, but I think what they are saying is the following:
1) At DDR2 standard 1.8V, they guarantee the module will run at DDR2-800 5-4-4-15 2T.
2) At a DIMM overvolt of 2.1V, they guarantee the module will run at DDR2-800 4-4-4-15 1T.