RAM and BSOD help

[Uber Schwarz]

I have a custom built desktop and a couple months after being built I began to have BSODs. After I receive the BSOD, my desktop will not POST and the DRAM light on the motherboard will be red. If I remove one stick it boots up just fine. The single stick can be in either slot. I've ran MEMTEST with both sticks and found errors so I removed one and tested again and found nothing. I tested the other and again nothing. I put both back in and test and again no errors. Any idea on what to try next?

Before you ask: Yes, this is the right type of RAM. Yes, my timings are configured correctly in BIOS.

 

[Ubrales]

The first memtest showed errors, and repeating the test showed no errors?

 

[Uber Schwarz]

The first memtest showed errors, and repeating the test showed no errors?

That is correct. I tested with both the first time and found errors almost right away. Removed one stick, tested for several hours, no errors. Did the same thing to the other stick in a different slot and no errors. Put both sticks back in and ran test yet again and no errors. However, BSODs only happen with both sticks in. After the BSOD happens it won't POST until one stick is removed.

 

[RetiredChief]

Try using prime 95 (blend test), It seams to do a better job of checking for errors, I've run memtest for an hour with no errors but prim 95 foun errors with in 10 min.

 

[Uber Schwarz]

Try using prime 95 (blend test), It seams to do a better job of checking for errors, I've run memtest for an hour with no errors but prim 95 foun errors with in 10 min.

How long would you recommend running it? If errors are found how exactly does it report them?

 

[RetiredChief]

Most members like to leave it running for 2 Plus hour (8 hours to verify max stability). I've found that memory errors tend to show up rather quickly. ie in 10 -> 30 mins. The blend test checks both CPU and memory and the errors show up in a window.

When ever I run this I also display CPUID HWMonitor and monitor voltages (Primarily +5 and +12 V) and the individual core temperatures. HWMonitor displays the +12 V incorrectly for some MB, SO so if it shows up way OFF, DISREGAURD IT.

 

[Uber Schwarz]

I just got a BSOD in the one slot. The other slot I've ran for a couple weeks and had no trouble but this one I just tried running one stick in it. So either this stick is bad or this socket. I'm going to run the test over night and see if errors are encountered.

 

[Ubrales]

Probably a bad slot - mark it as bad and use the remaining slots.

 

[Uber Schwarz]

Probably a bad slot - mark it as bad and use the remaining slots.

The thing about using my other slots though is that the heatsink I have on my CPU covers my one slot. I'll have to remove it and put on the stock heatsink.

 

[Ubrales]

Installing the stock heatsink may cause temp issues. If you have 4 memory slots, one way to work around the problem is to install higher capacity RAM modules in just two slots (2GB or 4 GB each).

Look at all your available options including upgrading the motherboard.

Uber Alles

 

[Uber Schwarz]

Installing the stock heatsink may cause temp issues. If you have 4 memory slots, one way to work around the problem is to install higher capacity RAM modules in just two slots (2GB or 4 GB each).

Look at all your available options including upgrading the motherboard.

Uber Alles

Well the two slots I would use, without removing my heatsink, has the slot appears to be the one that isn't working. To use the other two slots would mean I'd have to install the stock heatsink.

The motherboard I currently have is already one of the better ones you can get for an AMD system so I'd rather not upgrade the motherboard. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131631

 

[Uber Schwarz]

Here's the three BSODs I've gotten from running on the one slot:


==================================================
Dump File : 122610-18330-01.dmp
Crash Time : 12/26/2010 10:35:53 PM
Bug Check String : SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION
Bug Check Code : 0x0000003b
Parameter 1 : 00000000`c0000005
Parameter 2 : fffff880`048fa817
Parameter 3 : fffff880`06851900
Parameter 4 : 00000000`00000000
Caused By Driver : atikmdag.sys
Caused By Address : atikmdag.sys+90817
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\122610-18330-01.dmp
Processors Count : 4
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 7600
Dump File Size : 275,904
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : 122710-17955-01.dmp
Crash Time : 12/27/2010 9:06:03 PM
Bug Check String : KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
Bug Check Code : 0x0000001e
Parameter 1 : ffffffff`c0000005
Parameter 2 : fffff800`02a8c905
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000000
Parameter 4 : ffffffff`ffffffff
Caused By Driver : ntoskrnl.exe
Caused By Address : ntoskrnl.exe+70740
File Description : NT Kernel & System
Product Name : Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Company : Microsoft Corporation
File Version : 6.1.7600.16617 (win7_gdr.100618-1621)
Processor : x64
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\122710-17955-01.dmp
Processors Count : 4
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 7600
Dump File Size : 275,904
==================================================

==================================================
Dump File : 122710-18236-01.dmp
Crash Time : 12/27/2010 9:12:31 PM
Bug Check String : KMODE_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
Bug Check Code : 0x0000001e
Parameter 1 : ffffffff`c0000005
Parameter 2 : fffff880`0518cec8
Parameter 3 : 00000000`00000000
Parameter 4 : ffffffff`ffffffff
Caused By Driver :
Caused By Address :
File Description :
Product Name :
Company :
File Version :
Processor : x64
Computer Name :
Full Path : C:\Windows\Minidump\122710-18236-01.dmp
Processors Count : 4
Major Version : 15
Minor Version : 7600
Dump File Size : 262,144
==================================================

 

[Ubrales]

Well the two slots I would use, without removing my heatsink, has the slot appears to be the one that isn't working. To use the other two slots would mean I'd have to install the stock heatsink.

The motherboard I currently have is already one of the better ones you can get for an AMD system so I'd rather not upgrade the motherboard. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131631

Looks like your choices are limited - time to try the stock heatsink.

In order to help cooling, try and increase the capacity (CFM) of the case rear fan; and if possible, install an additional high CFM (over 60 CFM) intake fan. Be prepared for a slight increase in noise level.

 

[Uber Schwarz]

Looks like your choices are limited - time to try the stock heatsink.

In order to help cooling, try and increase the capacity (CFM) of the case rear fan; and if possible, install an additional high CFM (over 60 CFM) intake fan. Be prepared for a slight increase in noise level.

I will see if I can get to that this weekend since I won't have work. Running just one ram module won't hurt anything will it?

 

[Ubrales]

Yes you can run with just one RAM module in slot 1 or slot 3

 

[Uber Schwarz]

Best answer selected by Uber Schwarz.

 

[Uber Schwarz]

Yes you can run with just one RAM module in slot 1 or slot 3

Alright thanks! I don't think I will RMA the mobo as I plan to just buy a new one probably next fall as I want to switch to Intel's new processor. I'll probably just end of buying a Corsair 4GB. Thanks for all your help!

 

[Ubrales]

Thank you! Corsairs are great! Especially the Dominator series. They are tall RAM and may cause interference issues with certain heatsinks.